UB Nursing Students Receive Awards at Commencement

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Eleven students in the University at Buffalo School of Nursing received awards and scholarships 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. 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:

• Amy L. Teller of Lancaster, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award presented to a graduating graduate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for his or her patients and clients. The award is endowed by DeVoe, a distinguished alumna and friend of the School of Nursing.

• Lucy F. Petelin of Livonia, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award presented to a graduating baccalaureate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for his or her patients and clients.

• Erin McGruder of Mexico, N.Y., the S. Mouchly Small Award recognizing a graduating graduate student who has demonstrated superior knowledge and skill in psychiatric mental-health nursing and who exhibits 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.

• Diana L. Petrizzo of Lockport, the S. Mouchly Small Award recognizing a graduating baccalaureate student who has demonstrated superior knowledge and skill in psychiatric mental-health nursing and who exhibits an understanding of and sensitivity to the special needs of clients and their families, as well as the ability to respond to these needs.

• Katherine E. Stellrecht of Clarence, the Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award presented by the national nursing honor society to encourage and recognize superior scholarship, leadership and achievement in nursing. The award recognizes a graduating graduate student who possesses these characteristics and who is a member of the chapter.

• Karisa M. Young of Olean, the Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award presented by the national nursing honor society to encourage and recognize superior scholarship, leadership and achievement in nursing. The award recognizes a graduating baccalaureate student who possesses these characteristics and who is a member of the chapter.

• Kimberly A. Viola Ditz of Lewis Run, Pa., the Ruth Gale Elder Award for Excellence in Nursing Research recognizing a master's-degree student who has demonstrated outstanding knowledge and ability in research and who holds special promise for leadership in nursing research.  This award was established by Ruth Gale Elder, a nursing educator and acting dean of the School of Nursing from 1978-80.

• Kristen Pollock of North Chili, 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. This award is named in honor of Ruth T. McGrorey, dean of the School of Nursing from 1966-73.

• Julie Ross of North Tonawanda, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing a graduating graduate student who has provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, the university and/or the community. This award is named for Anne Walker Sengbusch, founding dean of the School of Nursing (1936-65).

• Michelle C. Cavataio of Levittown and Marie Anne V. Sanon of Nyack, 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, the university and/or the community.