The College of Nursing’s Alumni Weekend is more than just a day to reconnect with former classmates and faculty. The weekend’s events also enable the college to find meaningful ways to engage with alumni and share important information about the nursing programs, faculty, students and alumni. Themed “Collaboration: Going Greater Together,” this year’s events were all about achieving the most through working together.
Orece Carty (BSN 2010), Nichole Zumpf Blazer (BSN 2005, MSN 2008) and Pamela Barr (BSN 2006) show off their face painting during the reunion tailgate.
Former BSN 1967 classmates Ann Lurie and Goldie Wasman peruse the silent auction.
On Sept. 20, the fifth annual Donor Recognition Event allowed administration and students to express sincere appreciation to the college’s most-loyal supporters. Five alumni were recognized as recipients of awards during the program, including the Care, Lead and Inspire Awards, the Preceptor of the Year Award and the R. Murray Jenks Legacy Award.
Also during the program, two former students spoke about how scholarship support eased the financial pressures of attending their respective nursing programs. Michaela Hogan (BSN 2012, DNP 2016) shared how the Dr. Cappy Archibald Longstreth/Alex and Mary Archibald Geriatric Psyhiatric Nursing Fund not only assisted her through the DNP program, but how her relationship with benefactor Cappy Longstreth helped her on her path to becoming a clinical assistant professor. Lea Lena (BSN 2019) recently graduated from the Accelerated BSN program thanks to hard work, dedication and several College of Nursing scholarships. Lena, a cancer survivor, was determined to become a nurse and achieve her dream of helping others.
BSN student and Alumni Council Book Award recipient Morgan Howard with her mother, Kerry Hodges.
On Sept. 21, the annual pre-game tailgate was once again held at the Harrell Medical Education Building. The highlight of the event was the oversized silent auction, which raised $5,000 to support the Alumni Council Book Awards Program. This year’s 15 Book Award scholarship recipients were recognized at the tailgate.
Five alumni were recognized during the college's Donor Recognition Event.
The Preceptor of the Year Award was presented to Amanda Hogue (BSN 2010, MSN 2012), a family nurse practitioner at Lake Howell Family Medicine Associates in Orlando. Hogue has been providing invaluable precepting experiences for students over the past two years.
The Care Award was presented to Nancy Hamilton (BSN 1964, MSN 1966), who has continually supported the college for 30 years. In 2005, the Hamiltons established the Brightest Students to Faculty Fund and continue to support this mission to assist BSN students in pursuing doctoral education.
The Lead Award was presented to Mary Kay Habgood (BSN 1967, MSN 1971), who is both an alumna and a former faculty member. The Habgoods’ financial support dates back almost 40 years ago. During that time, they have committed to undergraduate scholarships and were key supporters of the Dorothy Smith Endowed Chair.
The Inspire Award was presented to Patricia Chamings (BSN 1964, MSN 1965). Chamings endowed a scholarship at the college in 2008, and last year, she amended the fund and committed an additional $1 million to create the Chamings Professorship in Nursing.
The R. Murray Jenks Legacy Award was presented to Linda Aiken (BSN 1964, MSN 1966), a loyal Gator and internationally renowned researcher who has dedicated her entire career to enhancing the nursing profession and health care. Aiken was instrumental in establishing the Dorothy M. Smith Chair and the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship. Most recently, she spearheaded the Aiken Leadership Challenge to maintain a legacy of excellence in leadership and research at the College of Nursing.