New Nursing Director Holds Billingsley Chair

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Pegge Bell

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has appointed Pegge Bell, new director of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, as the holder of the George M. and Boyce W. Billingsley Endowed Chair in Nursing.

Bell, a registered nurse since 1973 and a nurse educator since 1979, came to the University of Arkansas from Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla., where she initially served as the dean of the School of Nursing. She then became dean of the College of Health Sciences at Barry University in 2008.

“Pegge Bell epitomizes the leadership qualities that the Billingsleys pledged to support here at the University of Arkansas,” said Tom Smith, dean of the College of Education and Health Professions, in which the nursing school is based.

Bell has spent most of her professional career in the south and earned degrees from the University of Virginia, the University of Alabama, Georgia Southwestern College and Columbus College. She also completed post-graduate work at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and worked at UAMS from 1991 to 2002 as assistant professor, then associate professor of nursing, special coordinator of the women’s health nurse practitioner track, department chair of nursing practice and associate dean of the College of Nursing.

“I am inspired by the Billingsleys’ vision of Arkansas as the land of opportunity,” Bell said. “This will be my second opportunity in Arkansas, and I have seen how important it is to provide educational opportunities to men and women in a rural state. After completing their education, they return to their communities and spend their lives in chosen careers as registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse educators, nurse researchers and clinical nurse specialists.”

The Billingsleys have funded several endowed chairs and scholarships across campus as well as supporting the libraries and Razorback athletics. George Billingsley was chairman and chief executive officer of Pacific Resources Export Limited and president of International Tours of Northwest Arkansas. A 1957 University of Arkansas graduate with a degree in history, he died in 2002. He and his wife, Boyce, a 1955 graduate in finance and banking, were both charter members of the Chancellor’s Society, contributed to the restoration of Old Main and actively supported the Arkansas Alumni Association and intercollegiate athletics.

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing is starting new programs that allow nurses to enhance their basic education and achieve competencies as advanced practice nurses with terminal degrees, Bell said. These include an R.N. to B.S.N. program that is being delivered online this fall.

“Our students will have many opportunities upon graduation, and the effect on this state will be instrumental in addressing our health-care needs,” Bell said. “I feel honored to be part of this endeavor.”

The nursing school moved last winter into the new Epley Center for Health Professions in the northeast corner of campus. The building features extensive new and sophisticated technology to prepare nurses for numerous clinical settings.