Annual Scholarships and Awards Ceremony Celebrates Nursing Excellence

The Annual Nursing Scholarships and Awards Ceremony will be held on October 17, 2008 at the Kellogg Center on the campus of Michigan State University. The event theme, “Building Our Dreams, One Legacy at a Time,” will bring together more than 370 College of Nursing award recipients, benefactors, faculty, alumni, and a host of university and nursing professional representation.

Guest speakers include one representative from each degree program: David Bailey, BSN Class of 2009; Timika Foster, MSN Class of 2009; Melodee Vanden Bosch, PhD Class of 2012.

New to this year's event is the presentation of the College of Nursing Alumni Association Awards. Since 1972, the College of Nursing Alumni Association has presented accomplished nursing alumni with the association's highest honors of recognition: Distinguished Service, and Recent Graduate Alumni Awards.

The Carol E. Franck Nursing Leadership Award will also be presented at the ceremony. This leadership award honors nurses who have taken an active role in representing nursing and nurses to a wider public with a focus on advocacy.

The College of Nursing endowment has witnessed seven consecutive years of significant growth, closing the 2007-2008 fiscal year with a market value of $2.98 million. For the 117 scholarships and awards given this year, support totals nearly $165,000.

These scholarships and awards celebrate nursing excellence by honoring those students, faculty, alumni and nursing professionals who have shown outstanding effort and dedication. This year's scholarships and awards include:

Faculty and Leadership Awards

· Carol Barthel Spirit Award – given to faculty and staff members who contribute positively to the College of Nursing.

· Billie Diane Gamble Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Excellence/ Enrichment Award – presented to a faculty member who demonstrates sustained excellence in undergraduate teaching.

· Marjorie A. Holmes College of Nursing Endowed Faculty Enrichment Award – recognizes and encourages innovative and creative scholarly activity.

· Carol E. Franck Nursing Leadership Endowed Award – focuses on advocacy as a critical element of nursing leadership and honors nurses who have taken an active role in representing the profession to a wider public.

Alumni Awards

· Distinguished Alumni Award – honors nursing leaders who have attained the highest level of professional accomplishments, and/or advanced the profession through practice, research, education or administration.

· Alumni Service Award – recognizes alumni whose dedicated work and exemplary service have benefited society, and the profession of nursing.

· Recent Graduate Achievement Award – presented to nursing alumni who have graduated in the last 10 years and w ho have obtained a successful level of professional accomplishment as well as demonstrated community service.

Endowed Student Scholarships

· Nancy Ann Mulrenan Agents Endowed Nursing Scholarship – provides financial assistance to deserving students in the college's RN to BSN program.

· Carol Robinson Beals Nursing Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students on a basis of academic achievement.

· College of Nursing Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students that demonstrate sound academic achievements and have demonstrated leadership in the community.

· Helen Calder Endowed Nursing Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students who are permanent residents of Michigan.

· John F. Dunkel Memorial Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to graduate students attending the college's MSN or PhD programs.

· Janice and Alton Granger Nursing Scholarship – provides financial assistance to graduate students.

· Captain Sean Grimes Nursing Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students in the Army Reservist, National Guard, Active Army or honorably discharged members of these branches.

· Inez and Gladys Harmon Endowed Scholarship – provides financial support to students who have completed over two years of academic credits.

· Rao and Joyce Kareti Nursing Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students who are pursuing their bachelor's degree through the college's RN to BSN option.

· Helen M. Kelley Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students enrolled in good standing in the College of Nursing.

· Florence C. Kempf Nursing Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students in good academic standing.

· Judge Paula Manderfield Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students in the college's RN to BSN program.

· Mary B. McCartney Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad – awarded to students in the college's baccalaureate, baccalaureate completion for registered nurses or the master's degree option in study abroad programs.

· Retired Faculty Endowed Scholarship – created to honor retired faculty who dedicated their lives to educating nurses.

· Gilbert and Leona Schumann Scholarship – provides financial assistance for graduate students in the college's MSN or PhD options.

· Tammi Therese Strohmaier Memorial Scholarship – provides assistance to students who have shown academic success and community service.

· William G. and Marion E. Stuckle Endowed Scholarship – offers financial assistance to students in good academic standing.

· George and Margaret Lorimer Parsons Nursing Endowed Scholarship - provides financial assistance to eligible students in good academic standing and who have a minimum of third year status.

· Diana Roush Memorial Endowed Scholarship – eligible to prospective or matriculating students in nursing education who have demonstrated financial need.

· Conlon Wehrwein Endowed Scholarship for Graduate Students - eligible to prospective or matriculating students planning a career in nursing education who have demonstrated financial need.

Annual Student Scholarships

· Alvin and Irene Arens Scholarship – awarded to students pursuing a degree in nursing who have been accepted into the pre-nursing program.

· Sharon Barker Memorial Scholarship - provides financial assistance to adult students who have a desire to complete their degree in the college.

· College of Nursing Scholarship - provides financial assistance to students pursuing a degree from the college.

· Dolly Semrau Nursing Scholarship – recipients are selected based on their commitment to achieving academic and professional goals and their community service involvement.

· Sparrow Women's Hospital Association Scholarship - provides financial assistance to students who have shown academic achievement.

“The College of Nursing at Michigan State University is committed to investing in the academic excellence of our students and the professional experiences of our esteemed faculty,” said Dean Mundt. “Our generous supporters strengthen our possibilities, advance the legacy of nursing excellence, and serve as advocates in our goal to enhance the health of the community through the science of nursing.”

To view a complete listing of the 2008 Nursing Scholarships and Awards click here.