Barbara Hardy McNeese Alum

McNeese State University is honoring Black History Month by spotlighting students, faculty and alumni.

Barbara Hardy graduated from McNeese in 1982 with a degree in nursing. She says McNeese helped her understand the need for resilience, determination, perseverance and a spiritual walk with God.

“These characteristics have helped me fulfill my purpose, be a better nurse and person,” Hardy explained.

While Hardy attended McNeese she was a member of the first black Greek lettered organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and she is a founding member of Sigma Theta Tau at McNeese, an international honor society of nurses. One year after graduation Hardy became a nurse manager at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. The first black person to hold that title.