A Message from Alumni Board President
Dear Fellow Alumni,
The Nursing Alumni Association continues to engage our alumni throughout the year. Last summer, we continued our Converse with a Nurse Series and invited alumna Talitha Gonzales, B.S.N. Class of 2013, RN, and community member Linda Beninga, B.H.A., RN, to speak with our Accelerated B.S.N. class about “Professionalism in Nursing.” Talitha shared her insights on defining professionalism in the nursing profession, providing advice that was learned on the job and examples of navigating professional issues.
Fun was had by all at the universitywide alumni mixer at La Fonda on Main. Alumni from all six schools and their guests enjoyed an evening of mingling, Mexican food and margaritas! University representative John Kaulfus shared details about the opening of our newest building on campus, the Academic Learning and Teaching Center (ALTC). Last fall, we held our first Nursing Alumni Picnic on campus. A huge thank you to Smoothie King Louis Pasteur location for sponsoring an afternoon of BBQ, face painting, balloon art, music and prizes! Nursing Ambassadors Kaycee Kaminski and Alexis Wahlen provided tours to guests of the ALTC. Dean Eileen Breslin hosted the Lifetime Member Dinner at Oak Hills Country Club. This special evening was an opportunity to recognize these members for their leadership and investment in our school. The evening was a great success as members shared their paths after graduation.
This winter, we hosted another Converse with a Nurse event. Alumna Laura Valdes, M.S.N., B.S.N. Class of 2000, RN, teamed up with Vanessa Meling, Ed.D., director of academic enhancement in our Student Success Center, to speak to nursing students about “Building a Professional Profile: Tips on Resumé Writing & Interview Skills.”
I’m proud to announce we kicked off our Alumni Mentorship Program this year. Alumni mentors have been connected with nursing students and are helping students navigate the transition into the professional workforce. If you would like to become a mentor, please contact Melissa Mireles at mirelesm4@uthscsa.edu.
Your involvement in our School of Nursing Alumni Association is imperative to its success. Please renew your membership or join us as a new member; your support ensures a bright future for your alma mater and the students following in our footsteps. Thank you for your continued friendship and support.
Sincerely,
Odette V. Denisa, M.S.N., RN, ACNP-BC
President, School of Nursing Alumni Association
