Renatta Loquist, MN, RN, FAAN (’67 BSN, ’82 MSN), has devoted her distinguished career to advancing transformative leadership in nursing. In recognition of her lifetime of service and impact, she was recently awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
A proud University of South Carolina alumna, Loquist began her journey in 1967 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and went on to become a force in clinical practice, nursing education, health care administration, and volunteerism, with work that continues to this day.
Statewide and National Leadership
Loquist’s early leadership helped shape nursing in the Palmetto State through her roles as Executive Director of the South Carolina Board of Nursing and leader of the South Carolina Nurse Retention Initiative. Later, her influence extended nationally as she championed the integration of nursing systems across education, regulation and clinical practice.
In 1978, Loquist joined the faculty of the USC College of Nursing and was appointed Director of the Center for Nursing Leadership. During her tenure, she led the Amy V. Cockcroft Fellowship program, training more than 300 nurse leaders across South Carolina, and spearheaded statewide strategies to address workforce shortages, enhance health care quality, and advance the nursing profession.
"Renatta Loquist is a towering figure in the field of nursing whose bold leadership, visionary collaboration, and tireless advocacy have left an indelible mark on South Carolina and beyond,” says Dean Jeannette O. Andrews, PhD, RN, FAAN. “She exemplifies the core values and leadership qualities of Gamecock Nurses and has set the bar high for the rest of us to follow.”
A Legacy of Giving Back
Loquist’s dedication to nursing excellence extended into her six-term presidency of the South Carolina Nursing Foundation Board of Trustees. She launched key initiatives including the inaugural Palmetto Gold Gala, which has honored the state’s top 100 nurses each year for over two decades. In 2008, the Renatta Loquist Graduate Nursing Scholarship was established in her honor. Since then, it has awarded more than $540,000 in scholarships to advance nursing education in South Carolina.
Under her leadership, SCNF administered two major grants, $1.5 million from the BlueCross BlueShield Foundation of South Carolina and $1.8 million from the Department of Employment and Workforce to support graduate education for future nursing faculty. These stipends funded advanced degrees and addressed a critical need for nursing educators across the state.
I’m forever grateful to the College of Nursing for the strong foundation it gave me.
A longtime advocate of USC Nursing, Loquist, with her husband, established the Loquist-Elliot Research and Development Endowment Fund in 2011. This enduring gift supports the research and leadership development of Cockcroft Fellows and helps sustain the continued work of the Center for Nursing Leadership, reflecting her deep and ongoing investment of both time and resources in the college’s mission.
Inspiration for Future Generations
Humbled by her award, Loquist accepted the Order of the Palmetto on behalf of nursing leaders working to provide the best care for all South Carolinians. “I’m forever grateful to the College of Nursing for the strong foundation it gave me,” she says. “From the beginning, faculty inspired us to become future nurse leaders. With more than 50 years in practice, I’ve been mentored, learned to build coalitions, and encouraged to dream big.”
Today, Loquist continues to serve through community volunteerism, inspiring the next generation of nurse leaders with courage, collaboration and commitment. Her visionary contributions have left a legacy on the profession—and on the health of South Carolinians.