History of FastBacc

FastBacc® at Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing was started in the summer of 2009 and the first cohort graduated in May 2010 with just 16 students. The inspiration for the program came from Professor Nan Ketcham who saw a need for an accelerated, second-degree option for students desiring a career change or college graduates interested in nursing but unwilling to enroll in a traditional two-or three-year program. She and Dr. Cheryl Tucker brought the program together in design and delivery for that first cohort.

In 2009, a gift from Deerbrook Charitable Trust of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Harris and Anne Clark of Dallas helped to establish the program and make it sustainable. Later, in 2021, Baylor University announced a gift of $1.5 million from the Deerbrook Charitable Trust of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Harris and Anne Clark of Dallas to establish the LHSON’s first endowed faculty position. The Harris and Anne Clark FastBacc Endowed Professorship provides permanent, enduring support for the FastBacc program track. LHSON Clinical Associate Professor Beth Hultquist Ph.D., was the inaugural holder of The Harris and Anne Clark FastBacc Endowed Professorship and served as FastBacc program coordinator from 2014-2021, taking over from Professor Ketcham and Dr. Tucker. Currently, Dr. Adrianne Duvall-Ingram serves as the FastBacc program coordinator.

The FastBacc track celebrated 15 years of excellence in 2024 and looks forward to many more years of producing well-prepared, compassionate nurses.