Nursing Students Honored at Commencement

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

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 27,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students pursue their academic interests through more than 100 undergraduate programs, 112 master's programs and 98 doctoral-level programs.

The student award winners are:

• Jeanne Kuensting of Williamsville, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award presented to a graduating graduate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for his/her patients and clients.

• Jason Rein of Amherst, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award presented to a graduating baccalaureate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for his/her patients and clients.

• Julie Nichols of Clarence, the S. Mouchly Small Award recognizing graduating graduate 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. Mouchly Small, UB professor emeritus of psychiatry.

• William Putman of Buffalo, the S. Mouchly Small Award recognizing graduating baccalaureate 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. Mouchly Small, UB professor emeritus of psychiatry.

• Susan Dunz of Lakeview, 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.

• Jennifer Moilanen of Niagara Falls, 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.

• Christine Nelson of Alden, 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.

• Margaret Moscato of East Amherst, 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.

• Sara Rivera of Tonawanda, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing a graduating graduate students who have provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, university and/or the community.

• Kimberly Ennis of Brooklyn and Andrea Reynolds of Newfane, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing graduating baccalaureate students who have provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, university and/or the community.