SIUE School of Nursing Gala Celebrates Success and Growth
Nearly 300 alumni, faculty, staff, students, community partners and friends gathered at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing’s 2016 special alumni reunion and campaign recognition gala Saturday, April 16. The event took place in the Saint Louis Zoo Living World and included a reception, dinner and featured speakers.
Attendees were welcomed by Patti McDonald, the School's senior director of development, along with Saundra Spilotro ’69 and Cody Gowler ’09, the co-chairs of the “Honoring the Past-Empowering the Future” endowed scholarship campaign.
Spilotro explained the endowed scholarship campaign began for several reasons. One was to prepare the School for future success by building the number of endowed scholarships available for students. Another was to lessen financial burdens for nursing students during these challenging economic times. The committee set out to raise $100,000 in 18 months.
“Did we do it?” Spilotro asked the audience. “Yes! Because of your support we not only met this goal, but we exceeded it by raising over $135,000 and providing eight endowed scholarships for future students of the SIUE School of Nursing.”
Gowler recognized and thanked Drs. Rita and Roger Boyd, Dr. Jacqueline Clement, Dr. Mary Mulcahy and Dr. Anne Perry who provided exceptional support to the campaign and established endowed scholarships. Gowler also thanked the gala sponsors for underwriting the event before introducing Dr. Laura Bernaix, interim dean of the School.
“Just look around,” Bernaix said. “Initially when we began planning this event, we had hoped for a respectable show of support. But clearly what we see here tonight - and what we’ve experienced in the last 18 months during this campaign - has been an overwhelming dedication and connection to the School that is so heartwarming and gratifying, words cannot fully convey.”
Bernaix recognized the class of 1966, the School’s first graduating class, celebrating its 50th reunion at the gala. She highlighted the School’s advancements and successes throughout its history, as well as its current points of pride.
Bernaix closed her remarks by telling the audience, “You are a part of where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going. You are part of our success and our tradition of being forward thinkers who take calculated risks to respond to the needs of our students, partners, and the patients we ultimately serve. It’s how our School began, and it will forever be who we are going forward.”
Various students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the School were featured in a special video presentation of “SIUE School of Nursing: Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future.”
Following dinner, keynote speaker, author and humorist Karyn Buxman, RN, entertained the audience with humorous and touching anecdotes of nursing covering the past 50 years. The evening closed with a special video message of thanks to the School.
Photos may be viewed at: https://flic.kr/s/aHskyE4Lwe
Photo: Dr. Laura Bernaix, interim dean of the SIUE School of Nursing.
