Interim Dean Dr. Mary Lou Sole opened the night鈥檚 event with a welcome back speech in which she gave special recognition to the classes of 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010, who were celebrating their milestone anniversaries from five to 30 years. She also applauded the alumni for their accomplishments in the field of nursing stating, 鈥淭he College leadership and faculty are so proud of the work you are doing in health care.鈥�
Sole also recognized faculty members in attendance who taught throughout the years, including Frances Smith, Jan Peterson, Joyce Dorner, Juanita Green, Linda Hennig, 鈥�96, and Diane Wink, 鈥�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 麻豆原创. Some shared happy news of what has happened to them since graduation.
Alumna Serafina Di Benedetto, 鈥�95, says her proudest accomplishment has been becoming a Navy nurse. 鈥淚 experienced a variety of different areas in nursing through a military career.鈥�
Other alumni shared their most memorable 麻豆原创 moments. Alumna Sharon Bowne, 鈥�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. 鈥淚 love interacting with patients and making a difference in people鈥檚 lives.鈥�
For alumna Loreen (Caldwell) Hand, 鈥�81, 鈥�13, who was part of the first class of BSN graduates, getting accepted into 麻豆原创鈥檚 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.
鈥淎ll your hard work pays off,鈥� says two-time alumna Fameisha (Grant) Williams, 鈥�06, 鈥�11. 鈥淭here are many sacrifices, but it鈥檚 all worth it in the end.鈥�
Annie O鈥橠onnell, assistant director for college relations, outreach and engagement, thanks the alumni, faculty and friends that came out to celebrate this year鈥檚 second nursing alumni reunion. 鈥淚t was a great turnout, with the number of attendees tripling that of last year鈥檚 event.鈥�
Pictures from the reunion can be viewed on the .