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Pioneers> MAYASCHWICKERTArtistic Swimmerand AspiringChemist> SUSANMORRISON, PH.D.’68, ’72Health careinnovatorCURIOSITY ANDCREATIVITY COMBINEDMaya’s Winning FormulaMathMeets CareInnovating Nursing,One Formula at a TimeSUSAN MORRISON, Ph.D.’68, ’72, transformed nursingeducation with the foundingof Health Education Systems,Inc. (HESI) in 1990. At thattime, she was balancingsingle parenthood, finalizing adivorce and was determinedto improve nursing education.“When I started thebusiness, I made it researchbased. We didn’t do anythingunless research findssupported our decisions…Igot those values from TWU.”Morrison createda groundbreakingmathematical formula,devised in the mostunexpected place — hershower. Research findingsindicate that this formulais highly accurate inpredicting success onthe licensure exam.Consequently, HESI exitexams have become criticalassessment tools in nursingprograms across theglobe. HESI also createdclinical specialty examsthat scientifically assessstudents’ achievements asthey matriculate throughthe curriculum.In 2006, Morrison soldHESI to Elsevier, choosingthis publisher over othersuitors because the alliancewould be best for nursing— a guiding principlethroughout her career.“Poverty was mymotivation in creatingHESI,” says Morrison.But in revolutionizingnursing education, shebuilt something far greater— a legacy.A LIFE OFSERVICEAline's Journeyof Education andCompassionFROM A YOUNG AGE, AlineGarcia Weinheimer ’78, ’84felt a deep calling to serve.Growing up in Laredo, shewitnessed the transformativepower of education. Herfather, determined to build abetter future, hitchhiked tothe then named A&M Collegeof Texas at just 16 yearsold to earn his degree. Hermother, the eldest of nine,raised Aline and her threesisters as a single parentafter their father’s deathin Vietnam. Despite thesechallenges, Aline excelledacademically, graduatingas her high school’svaledictorian.Choosing TWU was bothpractical and personal. “Icould’ve gone anywhere,”says Aline, “but TWU was theright fit for me.” Passionateabout special educationsince the eighth grade, shewalked a mile daily in theLaredo heat to volunteer ata rehabilitation center, anexperience that cementedher commitment to servingchildren with disabilities.After TWU, Alinededicated her career tospecial education, workingwith students from allbackgrounds. Her passion forliteracy led her to become aReading Recovery specialist,helping young readers unlockthe magic of words.Beyond the classroom,> ALINE GARCIAWEINHEIMER ’78, ’84Educator andReading RecoverySpecialistAline is a force in herchurch and community. Shevolunteers with initiativessuch as Partnerships forChildren’s Rainbow Room,providing supplies tochildren in crisis, and fundsscholarships at her parents’high school, ensuringstudents have access to theeducation that shaped herown family’s journey.Her dedication to othersdeepened after a knee injurythat led to multiple surgeries,and a neurostimulatorimplant. “My journey hasbeen one of resilience andmotivation,” says Aline.“Much of my compassion forthe physically disabled comesfrom this experience.”Recently honored byRecognizeGood, Alinedonated her award toPartnerships for Children,embodying her lifelongcommitment to service.AS LONG AS SHE CANremember, Maya Schwickert’slife has revolved aroundcreativity and curiosity.Her siblings compete inartistic swimming or diving,sports that are not aboutgetting there first but arejudged on style and degreeof difficulty, and Maya beganperforming artistic swimmingwhen she was just fouryears old.Her curiosity stems fromher German-born parents,who each hold doctoratesin physics.A second-year student atTexas Woman’s, Schwickertis already a champion artisticswimmer, an award-winningchemistry student and anaccomplished mathematician.“She’s everything you wantin a student-athlete,” saysTWU artistic swimming coachBarb Nesbitt Ng. “She’s areally hard worker. I’m excitedfor her journey and to seewhere she ends up.”Schwickert is intent onworking to capture gold in theU.S. Collegiate Championships.“If I keep putting in the workI’m putting in, I feel like it’spossible,” she says.In 2024, Schwickertbecame the first TWU artisticswimmer to medal at the U.S.Collegiate Championshipswhen she captured bronzein the solo category. TWUearned third place in theoverall competition, thebest finish in the program’sfour-year history.20 TEXAS WOMAN’STEXAS WOMAN’S 21
