Nursing School Graduates Receive Awards

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Eighteen students in the School of Nursing received awards and scholarships at the school's commencement ceremony last month.

They are:

• Jean M. Carpenter of Cheektowaga, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award given to a graduating graduate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for her patients and clients.

• Michelle Ricart of the Bronx, the Shirley D. DeVoe Communication Award given to a graduating baccalaureate student who has demonstrated superior skill in communicating with and for her patients and clients.

• Mariana Castillo of Niagara Falls, 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.

• Goranka Vucenovic of Hamburg, the Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award from Sigma Theta Tau, 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 is a member of the chapter.

• Kimberly G. Sweeney of Snyder, the Sigma Theta Tau, Gamma Kappa Chapter Award from Sigma Theta Tau, 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 is a current member of the chapter.

• Michael A. Cline of Lancaster, 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.

• Naara A. Zapata of Liverpool, 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.

• Brian K. Jackson of Buffalo, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing graduating students who have provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, the university and/or to the community.

• Isabel M. Kozak of North Tonawanda, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing graduating students who have provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, the university and/or to the community.

• Valerie A. Demmin of Grand Island, the Anne Walker Sengbusch Award for Leadership in School and Community Activities recognizing graduating students who have provided notable service and leadership to the School of Nursing, the university and/or to the community.

• Christie L. Daigler of East Amherst, the New York State Nurses Association District I Award presented to a graduating senior demonstrating professionalism in nursing in her/his interactions with clients and colleagues who intends to practice nursing in District I.

• Jennifer Johengen-Vogel of Orchard Park, The Coletta A. Klug Fund Award providing monetary support for educational, clinical or research activities in psychiatric mental-health nursing.

• Isabel B. Molina of North Tonawanda, The Coletta A. Klug Fund Award providing monetary support for educational, clinical or research activities in psychiatric mental-health nursing.

• Xiaoyan Bu of Tiaxing, China, The Nova G. Petsan Scholarship Fund presented to a student demonstrating high-grade scholarship in scholarly courses and financial need.

• Jennifer M. Dzialak of Pendleton, the Millard Fillmore Scholarship awarded to a registered nurse who graduated from the Millard Fillmore Hospital School of Nursing and is pursuing further study at the UB School of Nursing.

• Gayle Zulewski-Dalton of Depew, the Millard Fillmore Scholarship awarded to a registered nurse who graduated from the Millard Fillmore Hospital School of Nursing and is pursuing further study at the UB School of Nursing.

• Darlene M. Flaig of Holland, The A. Margaret Larsen Memorial Scholarship Fund presented to a student demonstrating scholarship, activities and financial need.

• Diane E. McGuire of Buffalo, The A. Margaret Larsen Memorial Scholarship Fund presented to a student demonstrating scholarship, activities and financial need.