UB Nursing Students Receive Awards at Commencement

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Seventeen 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, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system that is its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 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:

• V. Thomas Chapin of Tonawanda, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award, presented to a graduating graduate student who has demonstrated superior skills 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.

• Jerome Shitteh of Amherst, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award, presented to a graduating baccalaureate student who has demonstrated superior skills in communicating with and for his or her patients and clients.

• Heather Quinn of Penfield, the Mecca S. Cranley Graduate Award recognizing a graduating graduate or doctoral student who has written about how they plan to influence the future of nursing. The award was established last year by the Graduate Nursing Organization in honor of the late Mecca S. Cranley, dean of the School of Nursing from 1991-2006. Quinn also received a Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award, which is 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 current member of the chapter.

• Diana Chaddock of Spencerport, 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.

• Joann Snyder of Blasdell, the Mecca S. Cranley Graduate Award recognizing a graduating graduate or doctoral student who has written about how they plan to influence the future of nursing. The award was established last year by the Graduate Nursing Organization in honor of the late Mecca S. Cranley, dean of the School of Nursing from 1991-2006.

Three students received the S. Mouchly Small Award recognizing graduating students who have demonstrated superior understanding and ability in mental health nursing, and who exhibit an understanding of and sensitivity to patients' emotional needs and skill in responding to those 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.

Award winners are:

• Heather Indelicato of Buffalo.

• Rebekah Mara Brownstein of Buffalo.

• Patrice Coney of Lyons.

Four students received the Ruth T. McGrorey Award for Excellence in Nursing, which is presented to a graduating student in the baccalaureate program who demonstrates 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.

The McGrorey award winners are:

• Ariel M. Brown of Snyder.

• Sigrid E. Chapman of Buffalo.

• Kristin Gregoire of Lakeview.

• Madison E. Ringer of Alexandria Bay.

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, who served from 1936-65.

The Sengbusch award winners are:

• Neasha D. Duncan of Snyder.

• Heidi A. Voigt of Amherst.

• Christine King of Howard Beach.

• Lisa Prager of Plainview.

• Lauren M. Hammond of Tonawanda. Hammond also received a Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award, which is 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 current member of the chapter.