MU Sinclair School of Nursing

Celebrates 100 Years

Contact: Pam Roe
S218 School of Nursing
(573) 884-2690

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May 4 , 2004

COLUMBIA, Mo. – For 100 years, the MU Sinclair School of Nursing has graduated students with nursing expertise and knowledge that has benefited individuals and families across the United States. In honor of all alumni, the school hosted its 14th Annual School of Nursing Banquet and 100-Year Gala Celebration.
This gala was held to recognize those individuals who have elevated the reputation, research, teaching and service at the University’s school of nursing. Students, faculty, staff and alumni of the school were honored on April 30 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Mo. in front of the crowd of more than 650. Alumni and friends of the school came from 16 states as well as the far corners of Missouri.

The school’s highest honor – Distinguished Friend of the School – went to Sen. Christopher “Kit” Bond, Chancellor Richard Wallace and Patricia Wallace.

Sen. Bond was a tireless supporter of the school’s drive to obtain funding for the planning and construction of the School of Nursing building in the mid 70s. Senior Care was also launched with funds in excess of $2 million secured through the Health Care Finance Administration with the aid of U.S. Senator Bond. Senior Care is our home-health agency that cares for people 50 and older in their homes, apartments or wherever they choose to live.

Chancellor Wallace has fully supported the concept, creation and the realization of Senior Care five years ago; TigerPlace, a new and unique concept that allows seniors to age in place; as well as supporting the formation of the MU Center of Excellence on Aging.

As a mother, grandmother and woman in today’s fast-paced world, Patricia Wallace recognizes and appreciates the need for quality nursing care and exceptional nurses. The school recognized Patricia for her deep appreciation for quality nursing education and continued support of the nursing profession and the school.

Alumni awards bestowed by the Nursing Alumni Organization included: Mavis Thompson of St. Louis, Citation of Merit recipient, for her distinction of serving both the nursing and law professions over the past 20 years and upholding the highest standards of each. She has served as a nurse since graduating from MU in 1979 as well as worked with several law firms that concentrated on personal injury, medical malpractice and product liability cases; Dorreen Rardin, Alumnus of the Year recipient, Coordinator of Palliative Care for Boone Hospital in Columbia, Mo., for her professional accomplishments in guiding program development that focuses on end-of-life care. She is currently working toward her new goal of a free-standing hospice house in Columbia; Nelda Godfrey, Alumni Achievement Award recipient, for her expertise and enthusiasm for educating young adults. Godfrey is the nursing department chair at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.; Mary Eleanor Farrell, Humanitarian Nursing Award recipient, for promoting and coordinating the Backpacks for Kids program in Washington, Mo. The program provides backpacks or diaper bags filled with clothing, toiletries and comfort items for children or babies placed in foster or protective care with little notice.

Other awards handed out included: the Staff Award for Excellence to Sherry Cass; Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching to Pamela Evans-Smith; Faculty Award for Excellence in Research to Jill Scott-Cawiezell; Faculty Award for Excellence in Service to Donna Otto; and the Betty Crim Faculty Enhancement Award to Kelly Moore.

Students honored for excellence included: Kara Lierheimer, Blake Coulter, Emily Arneson, Dana Bogan, Sandra Preston, Esther den Hartog, Ray Erickson and Greg Alexander.

“Our 100-year celebration gave us the opportunity to celebrate our past, acknowledge our present and look with great excitement to the future,” said Dean Rose Porter. “This annual banquet also gives us a chance to honor those who have gone the extra mile and in the process elevated the bar of excellence in the field of nursing.”

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