The College of Nursing recently honored the achievements and contributions of its students, faculty, and staff during two May events: the Pinning Ceremony and the Annual Celebration of Excellence Luncheon.
Each award recipient was nominated by fellow students or colleagues. These awards are a direct reflection of the recognition and respect of peers across the College of Nursing.
Student Awards
At the May Pinning Ceremony, two exceptional students were recognized for their dedication and compassion.
Grace Sengstock received the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students, which honors nursing students who go above and beyond in providing compassionate care. One nominator shared, “I think one of the most exceptional characteristics about Grace is her selflessness… she bravely and without hesitation looks to the needs of others.”
Emma Sacchetti was awarded the Heins-Laning Award, established by Margaret Heins and Jack Laning. This honor is presented to a BSN graduate who best embodies the college’s philosophy and shows promise of becoming an outstanding professional nurse. Sacchetti remarked, “It’s a privilege to receive such meaningful recognition from a place I’ve come to consider my home away from home.”
Faculty Awards
Faculty members were recognized for their excellence in teaching, research, service, and leadership at the Annual Celebration of Excellence Luncheon.
Ji Youn Yoo, assistant professor, received The Rock award. This award recognizes a nurse faculty member—or team—who demonstrates innovation in teaching, research, or service. These faculty members challenge us to try new ideas in the classroom, simulation lab, clinical environment, or community-based settings.
The Torch award was presented to Melissia Hessock, clinical assistant professor.
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. Hessock was also presented 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.
Leslie Long, clinical assistant professor, was presented the Volunteer. This award goes to a novice nurse educator in the baccalaureate or graduate program who is already demonstrating excellence in teaching, research, or service. Long also received the Laura Preston Barnes Pediatric Nursing Research Endowment which supports excellence in pediatric nursing research.
The Smokey was presented to Mary Holley, 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 DAISY Faculty Award celebrates a faculty member whose inspirational influence and commitment to nursing education have made a lasting impact on students. Laura Barry, clinical instructor, was honored with this award.
The Graduate Excellence in Clinical Instruction Award honors outstanding teaching in clinical settings at the graduate level. This year’s recipient was Jim Alberding, clinical associate professor and program director for the nurse anesthesia concentration.
Robin Hicks, Clinical Instructor, was honored with the Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award which celebrates excellence in clinical 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 Staci Wheeler. Wheeler also received the The Outstanding Classroom Teaching Award.
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 Andrew Ward, research assistant professor.
Amy Alspaugh, assistant 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, Marian Malone, clinical assistant professor and coordinator, 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.
Joel Anderson, professor, was awarded the Sands Family Faculty Endowment, which supports faculty excellence across a range of endeavors.
The McCorkle Nursing Endowed Fellowship was awarded to Kathy Newnam, associate professor, for outstanding achievements in both teaching and research.
Staff Awards
Katie Perry, graduate programs assistant, won the Power T award. This award goes to a staff member who goes above and beyond in productivity, teamwork, and positivity.
The Burke Heart of a Vol award was presented to two recipients Zach Young-Lutz, simulation lab manager, and Virginia Fowler, academic affairs manager. The award was established by Lindsay Burke, former assistant dean of finance, administration, and operations. This award honors a staff member who exemplifies the Volunteer spirit through selfless service and dedication.
Special Recognitions
Each year Faculty and Staff are recognized with the KUDOS award. Recipients are nominated by their peers for outstanding and often fun contributions to the work environment. This year Scott Gordy, Erin Rice, Amy McKillip, Audrey Dew, Mary Miles, Melissa Greene, Kelly Leslie, Erika Nazerias, Lisa Welling, Ivy Merrill, Katie Keller, Brandi Troutt, Katie Perry, Karla Jones, Cathy Philpott, Jen Patrick, Melissa Hessock, Noel Arring, Karen Lasater, Tracy Brewer, Lindsey Williford, Diannah Eagle, Kara Cardwell, Holly Hauck, Eddie Petrie, Kira Morgan, Sandra Thomas, and the College of Nursing Engagement Team received KUDOS awards.
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.
Additionally, faculty and staff who completed the yearlong Emerging Leaders Program, designed to develop future leaders in health care and education, were honored. The cohort included: James Alberding, Noelle Cooper, Virginia Fowler, Hailey Hernandez, Kathryn Jones, Jennifer Miller, Eddie Petrie, Travis Rhoten, Jennifer Smith, and Katie Zirkle.
Retirements
We also recognized three retirees whose contributions have left a lasting mark on the College of Nursing. Lynne Miller, clinical instructor, retired after 16 years of service. Kathleen Thompson, clinical professor, retired after 15 years of service. Lastly, Pamela Hardesty, clinical professor, retired after 11 years of service. We thank each of these incredible educators for their service, leadership, and dedication to the nursing profession.
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CONTACT:
Kara Clark (865-974-9498, [email protected])
