Annual Scholarships and Awards Ceremony Celebrates Nursing Excellence

The Annual Nursing Scholarships and Awards Ceremony will be held on October 2, 2009 at the Kellogg Center on the campus of Michigan State University. The event theme, "Celebrating Nursing Excellence,” will bring together more than 350 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: Mary Severe, BSN Class of 2010; Shelley Williamson, MSN Class of 2011; Lisa Singleterry, PhD Class of 2013.

Even during economically challenging times for the state and the nation, the College of Nursing at Michigan State University is committed to providing financial support in the form of scholarships and awards to nursing students and faculty. For the 114 scholarships and awards given this year, support totals over $132,000.

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.

· 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.

· 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.

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 who 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.

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

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

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

· Mary Milner-Estes Endowed Nursing Scholarship – provides financial assistance to students enrolled in the College of Nursing, who are in good academic standings and have 3rd year status as an undergraduate student or entering into or matriculating through a graduate or accelerated nursing program.

· 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.

· Marjorie A. Holmes Graduate Nursing Endowed Scholarship – provides financial assistance to graduate students who have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

· 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.

· 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.

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

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

· 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.

· 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

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

· Michigan Nurse Professional Fund Scholarship – provide financial assistance for BSN education in Michigan among individuals who plan to practice in an underserved area and to promote nursing programs offering a graduate MSN - Education program.

· Michigan Nursing Corp Scholarship - provides financial assistance to master's and doctoral students who commit to teaching in Michigan and to support career transition to nursing students in the accelerated option program.

"The College of Nursing at Michigan State University is committed to investing in nursing excellence,” said Dean Mundt. "Thanks to our dedicated and giving investors in higher education we are able to advance the science of nursing into practice. Our shared vision in elevating the health outcomes of society is to provide leading educational and research experiences that positively impact the faculty and nursing shortage.”

To view a complete listing of the 2009 Nursing Scholarships and Awards Recipients click here.