July 2010 Alumni Spotlight

By Lisa Schultz '91, '95; Director of Alumni Relations 

The military life has been instrumental in the life of alumna Colonel Laura Boone, USAF (Ret), BSN ‘71.  Born and raised a “military brat,” Boone lived all over Europe through seventh grade.  The United States was a foreign place to her until her father’s stateside assignment took the family to Maine where she graduated from high school.

Boone always knew she wanted a career in health care and was actually interested in becoming a radiology technician, so she took this into consideration when selecting a university.  After applying and being accepted to many schools, Boone settled on Incarnate Word College (IWC), a small nursing school in Texas.  Her father loved Texas and wanted to move back to his home state after he returned from Vietnam so IWC was a natural fit.

Incarnate Word turned out to be the perfect place for the budding young nurse.  Everyone was very friendly and caring.  Some of Boone’s favorite teachers included Dr. Mary Louise Mueller, Sr. Antoninus Buckley and Sr. Mary Daniel Healy and although she remembers how strict they were she also remembers how much she learned and grew from their wisdom.  Her professors also provided plenty of “free” social, yet educational activities including the many one act plays put on by the famous Ronald Ibbs and Maureen Halligan, who formed Incarnate Word’s Downstage Theatre.

Some of Boone’s fondest memories are not all necessarily academic.   She clearly remembers having to wear the dreaded freshman beanie – everywhere!  She also remembers having to sign in and out of Dubuis Hall, not just at night, but anytime she went anywhere and unlike the resident assistants at UIW today, Dubuis had a dorm mother.  The dorm mother was an older woman who kept a close eye on the residents, along with the nuns who lived on each floor of the residence hall.  Although, there were many other strict rules, she recalls a handful of men who attended IWC in the late 60s, as commuter students.  In an effort to keep modesty alive, the girls could not wear pants in public or to class.  If they wanted to go anywhere in pants, they had to leave the dorm with a long coat on and take it off when they got to their destination. 

In 1967, Boone, met her best friend Margaret (Allen) Strickland.  The women remain good friends today and still keep in close touch.  The friends frequently travel together along with their spouses and coincidentally, both had daughters about the same time.  She is excited to note that now both daughters are expecting boys around the same time.  Friends for life!

After many nights of diligent schoolwork, amidst the companionship of her good friends, Boone changed her major to nursing.  She was accepted into the Navy Nurse Corps Candidate Program her junior year.  Commissioned an Ensign and after receiving her bachelor of science in nursing degree from Incarnate Word, Boone was sent to Pensacola, FL where she served three years as a Navy nurse. She then transferred to the Air Force, which was her initial desire since her father had made his career in the Air Force.

Boone’s career as a military nurse was primarily in the maternal child health arena, but during her career she also served as a nurse manager, nurse educator, a chief nurse and director of nurses. Her last assignment was at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio.

In 1996, after 27 years of service Boone retired from the military, as a Colonel. When asked what the best thing about retirement is, she replies, “Sunday night!”  She never has to worry about being at work on Monday morning again.   Retirement has not stopped Boone from staying busy, she volunteers wherever and whenever she is available.  Her community service includes serving as a Eucharistic minister for St. Brigid Catholic Church, and volunteering with the Knights of Columbus and the Society of Air Force Nurses just to name a few.   However, most of all, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Happy 4th of July to all of our friends in the Armed Forces!