Shirley Putnam Toney

Dean Emerita and Professor Emerita of Nursing

With a career spanning more than half a century, Dr. Shirley Putnam Toney, Dean Emerita of Gardner-Webb University’s School of Nursing, has dedicated her life to advancing nursing education and healthcare. Born in Henrietta, N.C., Toney has remained deeply rooted to Rutherford County, where she and her late husband, Max Lee Toney, raised their two sons. Her legacy is not only defined by her professional achievements but also by her enduring commitment to service, faith, and the arts.

Toney’s career in nursing began with a vision for service that was instilled in her at an early age. Influenced by missionaries and a strong personal calling, Toney felt drawn to missionary nursing as early as age 10. This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Wake Forest College and North Carolina Baptist Hospital (NCBH) School of Nursing in Winston-Salem, graduating in 1961. Soon after, she relocated to Fort Worth, Texas, where she pursued missionary work and studied at Southwestern Seminary, all while serving as a nurse at Harris Methodist Hospital. Ultimately, she discovered her true calling lay in education, prompting her to return to North Carolina to embark on a lifelong journey in nursing education.

In 1963, Toney accepted her first teaching role at Rutherford Hospital School of Nursing, igniting a passion for mentorship that would define her career. Her journey took a significant turn when she joined Gardner-Webb Junior College (now Gardner-Webb University) in 1965 as the first instructor in its newly established Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. As a trailblazer in nursing education, Toney was instrumental in shaping the ADN program’s early curriculum and establishing a foundation for nursing education at Gardner-Webb. Her commitment to excellence and forward-thinking leadership eventually led her to assume the role of program administrator in 1978 and later the position of founding dean of the School of Nursing, a role that cemented her legacy as a pioneer in the field.

During these years of building Gardner-Webb’s School of Nursing, she continued to further her own education, earning a Master of Education in 1974 from N.C. State University in Raleigh, with additional coursework at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her pursuit of a terminal degree culminated in 1989 with a Ph.D. in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin, where she focused on nursing academic administration. To deepen her expertise in mental health and psychiatric nursing, Toney completed post-graduate coursework at UNC-Charlotte and clinical practicums at Broughton Hospital in Morganton, N.C., and Spindale (N.C.) Correctional Center. This commitment to ongoing learning allowed her to bring a comprehensive and well-rounded perspective to her leadership roles at Gardner-Webb.

As the leader of Gardner-Webb’s School of Nursing, Toney played a pivotal role in expanding the university’s nursing programs to meet the needs of a changing healthcare landscape. In 1982, she conducted a feasibility study for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, specifically designed for registered nurses (RNs) seeking to advance their education. Her vision for the program became a reality, and the BSN program quickly gained a strong reputation. She also led three separate feasibility studies to establish a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which officially launched in 2001. Under her guidance, Gardner-Webb’s nursing programs gained full accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), reinforcing the University’s commitment to high academic standards and quality healthcare education.

Beyond her achievements at Gardner-Webb, Toney’s contributions to nursing education extended to the national level. She served as an evaluator and team chair for the NLNAC, leading nearly 50 program accreditation reviews in 26 states and Puerto Rico. Her expertise was widely recognized, and she played a crucial role in shaping the standards of nursing programs across the country. Toney’s professional memberships included numerous healthcare and educational organizations, through which she consulted for nursing programs across the U.S. and the Virgin Islands. Her commitment to excellence in nursing education also led her to coordinate parish nursing workshops, supporting the integration of healthcare and spiritual care in community settings.

Toney’s impact is not limited to nursing and healthcare; her life reflects a deep dedication to faith and the arts. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Henrietta, she shared her musical talents as a church organist for more than 60 years. Her love for music began early in life, and she also studied music at Wake Forest College. Throughout her life, she has performed in concerts, community events, and with the Rutherford County Chorus, where she was a regular organist for Handel’s “Messiah.” Her leadership in the musical community extended to her roles as vice president and past president of the Lucille Wall Music Club, where she actively promoted music appreciation and education.

In addition to her numerous accomplishments in nursing and music, Toney is an accomplished author and historian. Upon her retirement from Gardner-Webb in 2008, she completed a book documenting the history of Gardner-Webb University’s School of Nursing, titled “Gardner-Webb University School of Nursing: History and Heritage.” This project was inspired by her extensive collection of historical materials and her desire to preserve the school’s legacy. Recognizing her expertise, the North Carolina Board of Nursing later commissioned her to write the 110-year history of the board. Her book, “First in Nursing—A Journey of Regulatory Excellence: Story of the North Carolina Board of Nursing 1903-2013,” highlights North Carolina’s pioneering role in nursing regulation, as the state was the first in the U.S. to establish a Nursing Practice Act and registration requirements for nurses.

Toney’s dedication to nursing has earned her numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award from the N.C. Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in 2005, an Achievement Award from the National Organization for Associate Degree Nursing Foundation in 2006, and a place on Gardner-Webb’s “Great 100” list, as nominated by alumni in 2008. Her special interests in nursing history, healthcare policy, mental health, and nursing education continue to influence the field, inspiring the next generation of nursing professionals.

Through her decades of service, Toney has left an indelible mark on Gardner-Webb University and the broader nursing community. Her legacy is one of compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment to education, service, and faith. Her journey exemplifies the values that Gardner-Webb seeks to instill in its students—empowering them to lead, serve, and make a meaningful difference in their communities. Today, Toney’s work lives on, a testament to her belief in the power of education to transform lives and uplift entire communities.

Source: Personal Interview—Doris Banner

Updated:

• October 2014— Shirley P. Toney
• November 2016 – Matthew Tessnear
• July 2022 – Noel T. Manning II
• November 2024 – Noel T. Manning II