Students Share With Benefactors Their Dedication and Passion for Nursing

Donors and other distinguished guests attended this year's luncheon.

Donors and other distinguished guests attended this year's luncheon.

The School of Nursing recently hosted its annual donor luncheon to recognize donors who have given to student scholarships, research, educational programs and faculty development. Scholarships in particular enable the school to address the state’s nursing shortage by giving students the opportunity to pursue a nursing education.

Scholarship recipients Lauren Cox and Colleen Leclair-Smith, students in the school’s Second Degree and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, respectively, spoke about the impact scholarships have on their education. These students represent the School of Nursing’s student body that is passionate about health care and grateful to donors whose generosity helps them become professional nurses.

Originally from Sudan, Texas, Cox decided she wanted to see the impact of health care face to face, so she decided to become a nurse. She has a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and a master’s degree in molecular pathology.

Leclair-Smith is an engaged member of the Lubbock community and also serves as director of the Magnet Program and the Nursing Recruitment and Resource Pool at UMC Health System.

Other speakers at the luncheon were Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance, TTUHSC President Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., and School of Nursing Dean Michael L. Evans, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, for Texas to meet projected demands for registered nurses, the state’s licensure educational programs must generate 25,870 new graduates by 2020.

The School of Nursing awarded 582 scholarships totaling $565,840 for fall 2013 and spring 2014. TTUHSC has the only nursing school on the South Plains that provides baccalaureate, masters and doctoral education. Last year, the school conferred 953 degrees.

Image Gallery

Related Stories

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents

Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.

Willed Body Memorial Service Honors Those Who Donated

On Memorial Day each May, a service is conducted at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Institute of Anatomical Sciences to pay respect to the Willed Body Program donors and their families.

Molecular Pathology Preceptorship: Unmatched Value and Experience

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)CM, Program Director and Associate Professor in the Master of Science in Molecular Pathology program in the School of Health Professions spoke about the program’s preceptorship.

Recent Stories

Education

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Earns SACSCOC Recognition

TTUHSC has received a clean bill of health from the regional accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), following a Fifth-Year Interim Review by a committee from peer institutions.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Rural Adolescents

Leigh Ann Reel, Au.D., Ph.D., CCC-A, discussed the causes and prevention strategies for noise-induced hearing loss, particularly for adolescents in rural areas.

Research

TTUHSC Amarillo Awarded $50,000 Grant for Cutting-Edge Cancer Research

TTUHSC in Amarillo has received a $50,000 grant from the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation to support groundbreaking cancer research led by Hiranmoy Das, Ph.D.