Group of nursing graduates in cap and gown outside on SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Union campus

SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Nursing Graduates Presented with Awards


May 19, 2022 | Campus News SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

Five SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Nursing Program graduates were recognized during a pinning ceremony May 14 prior to the college’s commencement ceremony.

Two students, Tela Connors, SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½-Rolla; and Charlena Borges, SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ in Union, were presented the Outstanding Nursing Student awards.

To be considered for the SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Outstanding Nursing Student award, the college has had to make a difference in the life of the student.

For some cases, had SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ not been in their community, they most likely would not have realized the dream of becoming a nurse. The award winners also display success in the classroom and the clinical setting.

Tela Connors

Tela Connors

SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½-Rolla Nursing program graduate Tela Connors was named an Outstanding Nursing Student for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Julie Chirban and Jonathan Elias; Connors and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely. The award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.

Charlena Borges

Charlena Borges

SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Union Nursing program graduate Charlena Borges is the recipient of an Outstanding Nursing Student award for 2022. Pictured, from left, are nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Borges, and nursing instructor and Union program coordinator Judy Bieker and nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer. Borges’ award was presented at the Nursing program’s pinning ceremony.

Spirit of Excellence Awards

Three nursing students — Kayce Boeding, Lyndsey Graczyk and James Johnson — were presented with Spirit of Clinical Excellence awards from the college’s community health care partners.

Each year, Mercy Hospital Washington, Phelps Health in Rolla and Missouri Baptist Hospital Sullivan present nursing graduates with Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards during the pinning ceremony marking the completion of the program.

Boeding received the Phelps Health award, Graczyk received the Mercy award and Johnson received the Missouri Baptist Sullivan award.

The awards were presented to the graduates by SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Nursing faculty from Union and Rolla.

To be consider for the Spirit of Clinical Excellence Awards, the graduate nurse must demonstrate: characteristics of caring and compassion; the spirit of inquiry; exceptional critical thinking and decision making; and superior organizational skills and the ability to effectively prioritize.

Lyndsey Graczyk

Lyndsey Graczyk

The Mercy Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award was presented to SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Union nursing graduate Lyndsey Graczyk. From left, are SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Union nursing instructors Dr. Connie Wissbaum and Brittany Yoakum; Graczyk, nursing instructor and Union Nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker; nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer; and Bethany Westlake, chief nurse officer at Mercy Washington.

Kayce Boeding

Kayce Boeding

SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Rolla Nursing program graduate Kayce Boeding was presented the Phelps Health Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing. From left, are SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ nursing faculty member Julie Chirban; Boeding; SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ nursing faculty member Jonathan Elias and nursing instructor and Rolla program coordinator Joannie Blakely.

James Johnson

James Johnson

A Missouri Baptist Sullivan Spirit of Clinical Excellence in Nursing was given to SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Union Nursing program graduate James Johnson. From left are SA¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Union nursing instructor Jessica Van Leer and nursing adjunct Heather Sluis, Johnson, Union nursing instructors Brittany Yoakum and Dr. Connie Wissbaum; and nursing instructor and Union nursing program coordinator Judy Bieker.