The College of Nursing launched the Linda Aiken Living Legend Challenge between Dec. 3 and Dec. 18 to honor alumna Linda Aiken (BSN 1964, MSN 1966). Aiken was recently named an American Academy of Nursing Living Legend, nursing’s highest honor. She has often been referred to as the “Florence Nightingale of our time” and follows in the footsteps of her mentor and the college’s founding dean Dorothy M. Smith, who was named a Living Legend in 1996.

Alumni and friends were challenged to contribute to the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship, and an anonymous donor pledged to match donations up to $10,000. Gator Nurses rose to the challenge and the goal was met, raising $20,000!

Dollars raised through the challenge will benefit the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship Fund, established in 2016 by Aiken to continue the legacy of excellence in leadership and research at the College of Nursing.