“It has been a privilege to work alongside Dr. Hennig who has played an instrumental role in building the college into what it is today, especially our online programs,” said Dr. Mary Lou Sole, dean at the �鶹ԭ�� College of Nursing.

Hennig served as the founding associate dean for undergraduate affairs from 2007 to 2013 and returned to the classroom exclusively for the past two years to focus on her first love – teaching. She has held numerous other appointments including coordinator roles for the RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs, and nurse educator program which is offered as a master’s degree and graduate certificate.

During her tenure, Hennig has made significant contributions to the college. Most notably, she developed the web-based RN to BSN program – the first of its kind in the state of Florida – and received a federal grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to expand the program throughout the state to rural areas. In addition, she facilitated the BSN course offerings at �鶹ԭ�� regional campuses and was instrumental in developing the graduate certificate in nursing education.

Throughout her career, she has been honored with teaching excellence awards and in 2009, was recognized as one of the “Great 100 Nurses” by the Florida Nurses Association for her significant contributions to nursing education. Prior to joining �鶹ԭ��, Hennig enjoyed a successful career as a clinical nurse specialist, a rehabilitation nurse consultant, and spent 15 years in leadership roles at rehabilitation facilities in Florida, Mississippi and Texas.

In addition to her academic contributions, Hennig has left a lasting legacy at the College of Nursing through the establishment of the Drs. Linda M. and E. Glenn Hennig, Jr. Endowed Scholarship in memory of her late husband who was a neuropsychologist and supported nursing education. Her scholarship is awarded to students in the graduate nurse educator program.

Sole also recognized faculty members in attendance who taught throughout the years, including Frances Smith, Jan Peterson, Joyce Dorner, Juanita Green, Linda Hennig, ’96, and Diane Wink, ’92.

The event included a cocktail hour with appetizers, an evening dinner and music. Attendees were able to reconnect with their former professors and fellow classmates while also reminiscing about their time at �鶹ԭ��. Some shared happy news of what has happened to them since graduation.

Alumna Serafina Di Benedetto, ’95, says her proudest accomplishment has been becoming a Navy nurse. “I experienced a variety of different areas in nursing through a military career.”

Other alumni shared their most memorable �鶹ԭ�� moments. Alumna Sharon Bowne, ’03, says her public health nursing course left a lasting impression after time spent at a low-income housing project as part of the Cocoa Community Nursing Coalition. “I love interacting with patients and making a difference in people’s lives.”

For alumna Loreen (Caldwell) Hand, ’81, ’13, who was part of the first class of BSN graduates, getting accepted into �鶹ԭ��’s nursing program after being on the waiting list is a memory she fully cherishes.

Most though, agreed that graduation was their most memorable moment because it signified a tremendous accomplishment, one that took time and hard work to obtain.

“All your hard work pays off,” says two-time alumna Fameisha (Grant) Williams, ’06, ’11. “There are many sacrifices, but it’s all worth it in the end.”

Annie O’Donnell, assistant director for college relations, outreach and engagement, thanks the alumni, faculty and friends that came out to celebrate this year’s second nursing alumni reunion. “It was a great turnout, with the number of attendees tripling that of last year’s event.”

Pictures from the reunion can be viewed on the .

“I am honored to serve the College of Nursing in this role,” Sole said. “Our college will continue to focus on the needs of our students and Central Florida community by offering superb undergraduate and graduate education and outstanding research opportunities.”

Founding Dean Jean D’Meza Leuner has stepped down from her administrative position to pursue new leadership challenges. Dr. Linda Hennig, founding associate dean for undergraduate affairs, announced last fall her plan to return to the classroom.

�鶹ԭ�� will conduct a national search for a new dean.

“Dr. Leuner leaves behind a strong legacy – she transformed us from a school within a college to an independent college,” Sole said. “She focused on many strategic initiatives, including adding new programs and developing new partnerships, and was exceptional at fundraising. She brought in several million dollars to create additional endowed chairs and professorships, and also established more than 25 student scholarships during her tenure.”

“Dr. Hennig has been instrumental in many key �鶹ԭ�� initiatives for more than 20 years, earning special accolades for developing and promoting online nursing education programs.”

Dr. Leuner said it’s been an honor and privilege to serve as the college’s founding dean.

“The past 10 years have seen remarkable growth and success for our college, and I am proud to have been part of that,” Leuner said. “While I look to the next challenge in my career, I wish Dr. Sole and our dedicated faculty and staff continued success.”

Dr. Hennig said teaching is her first love and she’s excited about the opportunity to pursue this passion once again.

“It’s been several years since I’ve been able to give myself fully to teaching, and I miss it,” Hennig said. “I’m just not ready to retire, and I plan to spend a few years as a professor before that time comes.”

During the next few weeks, Drs. Sole and Covelli will work closely with outgoing leaders to ensure a smooth transition.

Dr. Sole has received numerous honors, including being named as a Pegasus Professor, �鶹ԭ��’s highest faculty honor. She also holds the Orlando Health Distinguished Professorship in the �鶹ԭ�� College of Nursing. As a researcher, she is widely published and has succeeded in obtaining external support for her research endeavors. She has been nationally recognized for her research with awards from the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Dr. Covelli has been a nursing faculty member at �鶹ԭ�� since 1989. She is respected for her leadership as chair of the Faculty Association and as an associate professor with primary teaching responsibilities in the baccalaureate program. She has published research on hypertension, and has developed cardiovascular health promotion intervention programs to decrease hypertension risk in adolescents.

The event will begin with a small reception, allowing guests to mingle and browse the store’s fashions and accessories. At 7 p.m., the associate dean for undergraduate affairs and three faculty members will take to the ‘catwalk’ and model Bella’s newest spring designs for college alumni, friends and fashion enthusiasts.

Store owner, Susan Johnson, is donating 10% of the store’s proceeds generated from the fashion show shopping event and select purchases made through Sunday, March 31 to the �鶹ԭ�� College of Nursing student scholarship fund.

“I’m honored to show my support again this year by hosting this fashion show event, while giving back to our community and future nurses,” says Johnson. “My mother is a retired nurse and I know the commitment it takes in today’s world to become such a highly skilled medical professional.”

Katie Korkosz, director of development for the �鶹ԭ�� College of Nursing, is very excited about this unique partnership the college has developed with Johnson and Bella Winter Park, and asks the Central Florida community to show its support again this year.

“The community will have four days to support this important fundraiser for our students,” said Korkosz. “Anyone who makes a purchase at Bella Winter Park from the 27th through the 31st of March can request to have 10% of their purchase donated to the �鶹ԭ�� College of Nursing student scholarship fund. It’s a win-win partnership – and a lot of fun!”

Jean D’Meza Leuner, dean of the �鶹ԭ�� College of Nursing, says scholarships help the college recruit and retain the best and brightest students. “Scholarship support is a critical factor that helps our students focus on their studies and the demands of a rigorous nursing education, which is especially important in today’s complex health care environment.”

Faculty model and associate professor Julee Waldrop says she was very nervous about modeling in the fashion show last year but with support and encouragement from her colleague Anne Norris, nursing professor and former teen runway model, she ended up having a great time. “I rarely shop for clothes in person so having a group of people there for fashion advice was so much fun. I am excited to do it again this year.”

In addition to Waldrop and Norris, Sigrid Ladores, a nursing instructor and Ph.D. candidate, will strut Bella’s catwalk again this year. Linda Hennig, associate dean for undergraduate affairs, will join them.

The fashion show shopping evening is an exclusive event open to college alumni, friends and fashion enthusiasts, but seating is limited and an RSVP is required. To register, e-mail nursingevents@ucf.edu or call 407-823-0671.

Bella Winter Park blends a pinch of Rodeo Drive, a dash of 5th and 43rd in New York, and a sprinkling of Old World charm for Winter Park’s most exclusive boutique. It all began with Johnson, and her passion for fashion that sent her in search of the country’s most fashion-forward designers, emerging trends and wardrobe must-haves. The result is delightfully packaged in Bella in beautiful downtown Winter Park. Bella is a smart collection of the country’s most noted and up-and-coming designers, housed in a welcoming boutique that pays homage to style at every turn.

Event location: Bella Winter Park, 329 N. Park Avenue, Suite 105, Winter Park, FL 32789

Photo: Models from last year’s event, (l to r) Anne Norris, Sigrid Ladores, Julee Waldrop, Heather Williams, and Bella Winter Park boutique owner Susan Johnson.

Together with her husband, Dr. Wink established the Diane and Lawrence Wink Endowed Nursing Scholarship for undergraduate nursing students. Dr. Wink remembers the excitement of being a nursing student—and is glad to see it continue at �鶹ԭ�� and in her work as a nurse practitioner.

“Nursing is a field where you can, during your career, do a wide variety of different things and still be doing the core mission of the profession, which is helping people maintain and improve their health,” Dr. Wink said.

Dr. Kijek attended nursing school at New York University (NYU) at the same time Drs. Wink and Hennig did, but had a special friendship with Dr. Hennig—they were roommates. Sharing an interest in acute trauma, Drs. Kijek and Hennig met in NYU’s rehabilitation nursing program. Throughout her career, Dr. Kijek has been an advocate for professional advancement through political action.

The Kijek Doctoral Student Endowed Scholarship is for students who are enrolled in nursing’s Ph.D. program at �鶹ԭ��. “I always wanted to be a teacher, so I’m in education,” she said. “But my mother was once a patient when I was in high school, and I saw some things that made me want to go into nursing.”

Dr. Hennig chose to focus on rehabilitation because she was drawn to the long-term patient-nurse relationships the field offered—but technology excited her, as well. In 1998, she helped develop a web-based R.N. to B.S.N. program at �鶹ԭ��—the first of its kind in the state of Florida.

The Drs. Linda M. and E. Glenn Hennig, Jr. Endowed Scholarship is awarded to students in the graduate nurse educator program—and it’s also in honor of her late husband, Dr. E. Glenn Hennig, Jr., a neuropsychologist who supported nursing education. “It’s in his memory and is a part of my legacy that I wanted to have as an ongoing endowment,” she said. “Of all the things I’ve done in nursing, I think nursing education is where I’ve found my fit.”

Dr. Hennig hopes that her scholarship will help reduce stress for nursing students, help them work fewer hours outside of school and feel recognized academically. “I’m very pleased that I’m able to do this,” Dr. Hennig said.

Each academic year, the Orlando VA Medical Center selects two to three senior baccalaureate nursing students to participate in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ competitive, nationwide Learning Opportunities Residency (VALOR) program.

�鶹ԭ�� students, Michell Berry and Cody Hudgens, were chosen for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The VALOR program is an intensive, year-long paid residency where nursing students receive hands-on clinical experience in a nearby VA healthcare facility. After orientation and training, the students focus their work in the Primary and Ambulatory Surgical Care units and the Community Living Center, with the occasional opportunity to observe in other units to learn and practice various procedures.

The students essentially become a part of the Orlando VA Medical Center healthcare team, performing many of the facility’s daily tasks. These range from duties such as completing admission assessments and evaluation reports to more direct patient care which involves conducting EKGs and prepping patients for ambulatory surgery. To aid the learning process, each student works with a qualified RN preceptor who acts as an adviser and guide.

To graduate from the program, the students must present a special project to nursing administration and management at the Orlando VA Medical Center. The students research evidence-based methods and best-practice recommendations on topics like patient safety.

After a hiatus, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs began offering the VALOR program again in 2008 to baccalaureate nursing students studying in Orlando. �鶹ԭ�� is currently the only program in the area preparing baccalaureate nursing students, thus making them eligible to compete for the limited spots.

“With the building of Orlando’s new, state-of-the-art VA Medical Center, we hope the Department of Veterans Affairs will further grow the VALOR program in our area, allowing more of our students to participate,” said Dr. Linda Hennig, associate dean for undergraduate affairs at �鶹ԭ��’s College of Nursing. “The program provides a valuable learning experience and also exposes our students to the vast career opportunities available to nurses through the VA and the armed forces.”

�鶹ԭ�� Student Nurses Selected for the VALOR Program: