UB School of Nursing Honors Graduates at Commencement

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Eleven students in the University at Buffalo School of Nursing received awards at the school's recent commencement ceremony.

They are:

o Christine A. Cox of East Aurora, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award presented to a graduating graduate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for her/his patients and clients

o Julia E. Abell of Clarence, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award presented to a graduating baccalaureate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for her/his patients and clients

o Denise M. Piechowski of Sanborn, the S. Mouchly Small Award recognizing graduating students who have demonstrated superior knowledge and skill in psychiatric mental health nursing and who exhibit an understanding of and sensitivity to the special needs of clients and their families, as well as the ability to respond to these needs. The award is endowed by a distinguished nursing alumna, Sophie Small, to honor her late husband, S. Mouchley Small, UB professor emeritus of psychiatry.

o Rachel I. Lene of Brooklyn, the S. Mouchly Small Award recognizing graduating students who have demonstrated superior knowledge and skill in psychiatric mental health nursing and who exhibit an understanding of and sensitivity to the special needs of clients and their families, as well as the ability to respond to these needs. The award is endowed by a distinguished nursing alumna, Sophie Small, to honor her late husband, S. Mouchley Small, UB professor emeritus of psychiatry.

o Elizabeth A. Schmand of Buffalo, the Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award presented by the national nursing honor society to encourage and recognize a graduating graduate student who possesses superior scholarship, leadership and achievement in nursing and who is a current member of the chapter.

o Jillian M. Schifano of Webster, the Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award presented by the national nursing honor society to encourage and recognize a graduating baccalaureate student who possesses superior scholarship, leadership and achievement in nursing and who is a current member of the chapter.

o Jui-Ying Feng of Taipei, Taiwan, the Ruth Gale Elder Award for Excellence in Nursing Research recognizing a student who has demonstrated outstanding knowledge and ability in research and who holds special promise for leadership in nursing research

o Stacee F. Madden of Corning, the Ruth T. McGrorey Award for Excellence in Nursing recognizing a baccalaureate student who has demonstrated outstanding knowledge of nursing theory and excellence in nursing practice

o Christie L. Koedel of Depew, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing graduating students who have provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, university and/or the community

o Jennifer L. Connelly of North Syracuse, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing graduating students who have provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, university and/or the community

o Sasha L. Griffin of North Bangor, the New York State Nurses Association District I Award presented to one graduating senior from each of the area nursing schools who demonstrated professionalism in nursing in her/his interactions with clients and colleagues, and intends to practice nursing in District I.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York system. UB's more than 26,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students pursue their academic interests through more than 100 undergraduate programs, 112 master's programs and 98 doctoral-level programs. It offers the only degrees in law, pharmacy and architecture in the SUNY system, and is the home of the only comprehensive public school of engineering in New York State. UB's athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level.