UB Nursing Students Receive Awards at Commencement

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Fourteen 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 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

The student award winners are:

• Laila Akhu-Zaheya of Jordan, 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.

• Rugayyah Rivera Colin of Buffalo, 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.

• Stefania Fynn-Aikins of East Amherst, 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 was endowed by a distinguished nursing alumna, Sophie Small, to honor her late husband, S. Mouchly Small, UB professor emeritus of psychiatry.

• Joan M. Canzoneri of West Seneca, 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.

• Susan M. Kreppel of East Amherst, 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.

• Nasha D. Pope of Troy, 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.

• Viliporn Runkawatt of Thailand, the Ruth Gale Elder Award for Excellence in Nursing Research recognizing a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding knowledge and ability in research and who holds special promise for leadership in nursing research.  The award was established by Ruth Gale Elder, a nursing educator and acting dean of the School of Nursing from 1978-80.

• Megan A. Ash of Depew, 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. The award is named in honor of Ruth T. McGrorey, dean of the School of Nursing from 1966-73.

• Angelica Szafranski 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. The award is named in honor of Ruth T. McGrorey, dean of the School of Nursing from 1966-73.

Five students received the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities, which recognizes a graduating student who has provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, the university and/or the community. The award is named for Anne Walker Sengbusch, founding dean of the School of Nursing (1936-65).

The award winners are:

• Meghan L. Underhill of Port St. Lucie, Fla.

• Michele L. Crawford of Yonkers.

• Lindsey R. Yonko of Apalachin.

• Natasha M. Myers of Syracuse.

• Rebecca L. Lippner of Ossining.