Scholarships and Awards Ceremony Brings Together Students, Faculty, Benefactors and the Community

The Annual Nursing Scholarships and Awards Ceremony, held on October 4, 2007, at the Kellogg Center on the campus of Michigan State University, brought together College of Nursing student scholarship recipients and faculty/staff award recipients with their benefactors.

This year's turnout of nearly 250 attendees included faculty, staff, students, benefactors and special guests. Guest speakers, past scholarship recipient Paula Sherwood (CON PhD '04) and scholarship benefactor Elaine LaLonde (CON BSN '59), spoke on how the education they received from the College of Nursing impacted their lives and professional aspirations. “Together, Paula and Elaine represent the best of what the college has to offer in our students and alumni,” said Dean Mundt.

The College of Nursing endowment has witnessed six consecutive years of significant growth, closing the 2006-2007 fiscal year with a market value of $1.94 million. For the 63 scholarships and awards given this year, support totaled more than $182,000. This is an increase of 80 percent or $80,500 more than last year's support. In 2006, scholarships and awards totaled $101, 500, and in 2005 $67,000.

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

Faculty and Staff 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.

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.

· 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.

· 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.

· 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.

· Wehrwein Conlon 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.

· Gerald L. and Dorothy L. Roberts Scholarship – provides academic assistance to graduate students who show high academic achievement.

· 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 also announced four new scholarships that were established in 2007: Dale and Elaine LaLonde Graduate Student Endowed Scholarship, the Mary Milner Estes Endowed Scholarship, the Alvin and Irene Arens Endowed Scholarship, and the annual Alvin and Irene Arens Scholarship.

“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.”