The College of Nursing recently honored the achievements and contributions of its faculty and staff during the Annual Celebration of Excellence Luncheon.
“We were thrilled to honor our faculty and staff members,” said Victoria Niederhauser, dean of the college. “We are grateful for the work they do to educate Vol nurses.”
Katie Jenkins, clinical instructor, received The Rock award. This award recognizes a nurse faculty member who demonstrates innovation in teaching, research, or service. This faculty member challenges students to try new ideas in the classroom, simulation lab, clinical environment, or community-based setting.
The Torch award was presented to Katie Keller, clinical instructor. This award honors a faculty or staff member who exemplifies humility, selflessness, and sacrifice for the greater good, always modeling the core values of our college. Keller was also presented with the DAISY Faculty Award. The DAISY celebrates a faculty member whose inspirational influence and commitment to nursing education have made a lasting impact on students.
Elizabeth Sowell, clinical assistant professor, and Avery Bechthold, assistant professor, were presented with the Volunteer award. This award goes to a novice nurse educator in the baccalaureate or graduate program who is already demonstrating excellence in teaching, research, or service.
The Smokey was presented to Myra Pillon, adjunct clinical instructor. This award recognizes an adjunct faculty member who models excellence in teaching, research, or service while actively engaging with our faculty and programs.
The Graduate Excellence in Clinical Instruction Award honors outstanding teaching in clinical settings at the graduate level. This year’s recipient was Samantha Bauer, clinical assistant professor.
Leslie Long, clinical assistant professor, was honored with the Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award which celebrates excellence in clinical instruction.
The Outstanding Classroom Teaching Award recognizes excellence in undergraduate instruction. This year’s recipient was Laura Barry, clinical instructor.
Jeremy Mills, clinical assistant professor, was honored with the Graduate Excellence in Didactic Instruction Award. This award is presented to a faculty member who excels in delivering rigorous and engaging graduate-level instruction.
The Sue and Pat McClaughry Excellence in Teaching Award, voted on by our senior BSN students, honors a faculty member whose passion for teaching and mentorship leaves a profound impression on future Vol nurses. This special recognition went to April Bryant, clinical assistant professor.
The Solomon Oncology Award is presented to a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in oncology through education and research efforts. This award went to Heeyon Son, research assistant professor.
Nicole Walters, clinical associate professor, was awarded the Allison and Patrick Harrison Innovation Award, which supports a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in innovative education and research efforts. This award supports cutting-edge projects, faculty development, and lectureships that promote innovation in health care.
The Gaylord Rodgers Pediatric Faculty Award recognizes an exceptional faculty member making outstanding contributions in pediatric education and care. This year, Carley Weaver, clinical instructor, was presented this award.
The Ronald Lepke Gerontology Research Award was established to help a wide range of strategic and meaningful initiatives for faculty. This award was presented to Jia-Rong Wu, professor.
The Torchbearer Professorship in Nursing honors an associate or full professor who has distinguished themselves in the nursing profession at the national or international level. This professorship is awarded to a faculty member whose leadership and accomplishments inspire the entire academic community. This professorship was awarded to Tami Wyatt, associate dean of research.
The NightinGala Faculty Fellowship is awarded to a faculty member recognized among the top figures in their field, both nationally and internationally. Lisa Lindley, professor, was awarded this fellowship.
The Laura Preston Barnes Pediatric Nursing Research Endowment supports excellence in pediatric nursing research. This year’s award goes to Katie Ingram-Willard, clinical instructor and director of the Vine Clinic.
Katie Zirkle, clinical assistant professor, and Cameron Carr, clinical assistant professor, were awarded the Sands Family Faculty Endowment, which supports faculty excellence across a range of endeavors.
The McMahan-McKinley Endowed Professorship in Gerontological Nursing was established to provide annual funding to support gerontological nursing research and to recognize faculty excellence. This professorship was awarded to Sarah Neller, assistant professor.
The Vol Nurse Faculty award was established to recognize a faculty member who consistently goes above and beyond in their role. This year’s recipient was Susan Hebert, assistant dean of simulation.
Joel Anderson, professor, was awarded the Dr. Joan L. Creasia Professorship. This is awarded to a faculty member who has distinguished themselves in the nursing profession on a national and/or international level.
The Callie Lu Fowler-Acred Memorial Faculty award was established to recognize outstanding teaching and/or research efforts. This award is presented to Robin Harris, RN to BSN program chair and Vivian Rookard, clinical instructor and assistant director of the TBSN program.
The McCorkle Nursing Endowed Fellowship was awarded to Kathy Newnam, associate professor, for outstanding achievements in both teaching and research.
The Haslam Family Professorship is awarded to a faculty member through the Office of the Provost. This award supports research-related travel, and expenditures. This was presented to Deb Moser, professor.
Derrick MacGillivray, instructional technology and innovations manager, won the Power T award. This award goes to a staff member who goes above and beyond in productivity, teamwork, and positivity.
We also recognized three retirees whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the college. Lynn Beeler, clinical instructor, retired after 12 years of service. Kim Brown, clinical professor, retired after 15 years of service. Lisa Davenport, clinical professor, retired after 13 years of service. Lastly, Victoria Niederhauser who is set to retire after 15 years of service. We thank each of these incredible educators for their service, leadership, and dedication to the nursing profession.