News
Our Fall Class of 2021 Graduates
December 17, 2021
Congratulations to the newest members of our Laker Nursing Alumni Family!
The fall Class of 2021 earned their nursing pins while celebrating with faculty, friends, and family at the Kirkhof College of Nursing Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, December 11. This year, KCON graduated 82 traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, 46 Second Degree BSN students, and 7 RN to BSN students.
You can see photos from the ceremony here: https://www.gvsu.edu/s/1TB
During the ceremony, we awarded our highly competitive Kirkhof College of Nursing Awards to deserving BSN students.
-
Phyllis E. Gendler Gerontological Nursing Scholar Award:
This award was created to recognize outstanding performance
in the nursing care of older adults by an undergraduate student.
Students who demonstrate an interest in, and focus on, geriatric
nursing as evidenced by projects, clinical emphasis, and
extra-curricular activities in the area of gerontology are
eligible.
-
Mary Horan Nursing Scholar Award: This award was
established in recognition of the significant contributions Dr. Mary
Horan, the first Dean for the Kirkhof College of Nursing, has made
to nursing and nursing education. The Mary Horan Nursing Scholar
Award, for a graduate or undergraduate student, recognizes both
outstanding academic achievement and the potential for leadership
and excellence in practice, particularly for promoting the health of
families.
-
Dorothy E. Freeman Award for Outstanding Effort in Global
Nursing: The Dorothy E. Freeman Award recognizes
outstanding effort in global nursing. This award actively integrates
global awareness and cultural competence into the educational
experience and professional practice, portrays extraordinary effort
to incorporate a global experience into course and program
objectives, and pursues a global academic, research, clinical,
and/or service-learning project.
- Clinical Preceptor Award: This award recognizes a clinician who has served as a preceptor for Kirkhof College of Nursing students. Preceptors are nurses in a clinical setting who serve as role models and teachers through a one-on-one relationship with students. As students prepare to transition into general or advanced nursing roles, preceptors facilitate the students’ application of knowledge and skills and demonstration of professional behaviors. This award is designed to recognize professional expertise, educator qualities, and interdisciplinary practice.
Fall 2021 Traditional BSN Program Awardees:
- Phyllis E. Gendler Gerontological Nursing Scholar Award: Alexis Schweinzger, BSN
- Mary Horan Nursing Scholar Award: Andrea Hinz, BSN
- Dorothy E. Freeman Award for Outstanding Effort in Global Nursing: Sydney O’Donnell, BSN
- Clinical Preceptor Award: Joseph MacKeller, BSN, RN
Fall 2021 RN to BSN Program Awardees:
- Phyllis E. Gendler Gerontological Nursing Scholar Award: Haley Heldt, BSN, RN
- Mary Horan Nursing Scholar Award: Heather Lewis, BSN, RN
- Dorothy E. Freeman Award for Outstanding Effort in Global Nursing: Heather Lewis, BSN, RN
- Clinical Preceptor Award: Sarah Personke, FNP
Fall 2021 Second Degree BSN Program Awardees:
- Phyllis E. Gendler Gerontological Nursing Scholar Award: Ashley Thompson, BSN
- Mary Horan Nursing Scholar Award: Jillian Bingham, BSN
- Dorothy E. Freeman Award for Outstanding Effort in Global Nursing: Mikaela Bressler, BSN
- Clinical Preceptor Award: Karen Mackiewicz, BSN, RN
The Student Nurses Association also honored graduates who completed significant volunteer hours in addition to their coursework and clinical work.
NUR 466 - 3,051 hours volunteered collectively over the course of the program
- Ashley Adams
- Lauren Anderson
- Taylor Blackburn
- Delaney Buffman
- Taylor Burr
- Mateusz Conrado
- Nicole DiGirolamo
- Mackenzie Goodling
- Mariah Gozos
- Evan Guo
- Andrea Hinz
- Trinity Horne
- Kamryn Hugo
- Nzuri Jean-Jules
- Daniel Kohl
- Vanessa Lococo
- Cassidy McDonell
- Nathan Miller
- Sarah Polkowski
- Aurora Rozine
- Skyler Schultz
- Alexis Schweinzger
- Alexandra Sijtsma
- Emma Snider
- Olivia Stephenson
- Brandon Thompson
- Alyssa Wegrecki
- Hailey Whitehead
NUR 472/476 (SD) - 296 hours volunteered collectively over the course of the program
- Rebekah Talsma
- Amrine Tomlinson-Tunick
Congratulations to all of our graduating nursing students!