This message was sent to members of The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing community by Dean Eun-Ok Im, PhD, MPH, RN, CNS, FAAN, Laura Lee Blanton Chair in Nursing.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Dean Emerita Billye J. Brown, EdD, RN, FAAN, the inaugural dean of The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. She would have celebrated her 100th birthday on Oct. 29, 2025.
Please join us in reflecting on her incredible legacy to the School as a visionary educator, trailblazing leader, and tireless advocate for the nursing profession.
As founding dean from 1972 to 1989, she laid the foundation for what our School has become today—an institution known for academic excellence, pioneering research, and a profound commitment to advancing health for all.
Under her leadership, the School launched and expanded both undergraduate and graduate programs, developed a growing research enterprise, and established a continuing education program that extended the School’s impact across Texas and beyond. Her influence helped shape not only the School’s future, but also the field of nursing education nationwide.
Billye earned her BSN from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, her MSN from Saint Louis University, and her EdD from Baylor University. She was an immensely respected national leader and served as president of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the Texas Nurses Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International, where she held numerous leadership roles. She was assistant editor of the Journal of Professional Nursing and a lifelong contributor to the advancement of the profession.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, Billye was named the La Quinta Motor Inns, Inc. Centennial Professor in 1988. She was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 1984 and honored as an AAN Living Legend in 2010—one of the highest recognitions in nursing.
Beyond her accomplishments as dean, she remained a steadfast supporter of the School for decades. She generously contributed to scholarships and programs, ensuring that future generations of Texas Nursing students could thrive. She mentored alumni, faculty, and students alike with a steady hand and sharp mind, offering her wisdom and support long after her tenure had ended. Her presence at events was a source of pride, warmth, and continuity for our community. She truly never stopped investing in the School she helped build.
Billye’s legacy lives on in the thousands of students, educators, clinicians, and researchers who have walked through our halls since she first helped open our doors. Her pioneering spirit continues to inspire our mission, and her memory will always hold a special place in the life of the School.
I know this news will be felt deeply by many in the nursing community. We encourage you to support one another and to take comfort in knowing that her influence endures in the work we do every day.
Condolences may be shared here. We will share more soon about opportunities to honor and celebrate Dean Emerita Billye Brown’s life and legacy. Please direct any questions to Chief Development Officer Sergio Delgado in the meantime.
Please join me in keeping her family, friends, and all who knew her in your thoughts.
