The Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) will celebrate National Nurses Week from Tuesday, April 21, through Saturday, April 25. During this week-long celebration, events for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are scheduled.
Along with departmental events, such as a potluck and alumni panel for nursing students, several activities are open to faculty, staff and the public.
Thursday, April 23
Faculty, staff and friends are invited to the Student Nurses’ Association (SNA) Candlelighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23. Vicki Lannie ’65 will be the keynote speaker.
Lannie began her nursing career at Mennonite Hospital. As a student, she took special interest in dying patients. She worked with Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, known as a pioneer in death and dying as well as hospice care in the U.S., and was inspired to bring a hospice program in Central Illinois. She became Methodist Hospital’s first hospice coordinator, and spent 35 years comforting more than 9,000 families in the Peoria area, and helped bring hospice care to thousands more. In 2000, she was recognized as one of the 25 Women in Leadership for her hospice work. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Contact Christine Boicken at caboick@illinoisstate.edu.
Lannie will also receive the Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization (MNAO) Distinguished Alumni Award at the banquet on Saturday.
Friday, April 24
The Golden Jubilee celebration will honor nursing alumni whose classes graduated 50 or more years ago. Interim Dean H. Catherine Miller and Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization President (MNAO) Jenifer Patton will make remarks, and pins will be handed out to the 50th reunion class (Class of 1965). The event will be from 2-4 p.m. at the Alumni Center. Cost to attend this event is $10.
Saturday, April 25
The MNAO Awards and Reunion Banquet will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Alumni Center. Cost to attend this event is $30. The following MNAO awards will be presented this year: Distinguished Alumni Award – Vickie Gasche Lannie ’65; Early Career Achievement Award – Lauren Park Nelson, B.S.N. ’06; Service Award – Dr. David A. Strand; and Spirit of Nursing Award – Delores Miller Carter ’60 and Diane Binder Johner ’74.
MCN Nurses Week is sponsored by the Mennonite College for Nursing, Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization and Student Nurses Association. For more information, or to attend any of the following events, please contact Amy Irving at amirvin@illinoisstate.edu.
