Virginia Martson Nieland ’01 was a leader in the physical therapy profession, where her many contributions distinguished her as a model for others.
Nieland attended Mary Washington College from 1956-58. She received a Bachelor of Science in physical therapy in 1960 from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a Master of Science in counseling and guidance in 1979 from the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
After a distinguished and varied career in private practice and in higher education for more than 25 years, Nieland then served as director of the Department of Accreditation of the American Physical Therapy Association from 1987-99.
Nieland dedicated herself to the achievement of excellence in all aspects of her work, demonstrated unbounded enthusiasm for the position of director and its many responsibilities, and utilized her organizational and human relations skills to facilitate significant and timely reorganization of the accreditation process through the Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Nieland was instrumental in the development of the evaluative criteria that are used to accredit physical therapist professional and physical therapist assistant education programs across the United States and internationally.
The University of Central Arkansas conferred the honorary Doctor of Science degree to Neiland on May 7, 2001. This was the first honorary degree conferred by the university.