Nursing alumni at banquet event

The Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization (MNAO) Awards and Reunion Banquet.

Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) is pleased to work with the Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization (MNAO) and the Student Nurses Association (SNA) to offer a weeklong celebration of nursing from April 19-23.

The following events have been scheduled for MCN Nurses Week:

Tuesday, April 19—SNA Candlelighting Ceremony
5:30–7 p.m., Bone Student Center, Prairie Room (2nd floor), 100 N. University St., Normal
Senior nursing students and faculty continue the tradition of celebrating their accomplishments at the Candlelighting Ceremony. Vickie Gasche Lannie ’65 will be the keynote speaker. Light refreshments will be provided. No cost, but registration is required by April 13.

Thursday, April 21—Alumni/Student Career Panel Reception
4:30–7 p.m., Alumni Center, Room 118, 1101 N. Main St., Normal
A panel of MCN alumni will talk with current students about career options after graduation. Light refreshments will be provided. No cost, but registration is required by April 13.

Friday, April 22—Golden Jubilee Celebration (attention Class of 1966)
2–4 p.m., Alumni Center, Room 116, 1101 N. Main St., Normal
This event honors nursing alumni whose classes graduated 50 or more years ago. The interim dean and MNAO president-elect will make some brief remarks, and pins will be handed out to the 50th reunion class. If you attended this event last year, you are welcome to attend again and wear your pins! Light refreshments will be provided. $10 per person. Please register by April 13.

Saturday, April 23—Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization Awards and Reunion Banquet
11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Alumni Center, Room 118, 1101 N. Main St., Normal, IL
All alumni are invited to celebrate milestone reunion classes and award recipients! Doors will open at 11 a.m. Interim Dean H. Catherine Miller will welcome guests at 11:30 and a buffet luncheon will follow. Reunion class photos will be taken, and the 2016 MNAO alumni awards will be presented. $30 per person. Please register by April 13.

The following awards will be presented:

  • Distinguished Alumni Award: Susan Schable Prochnow Cribb ’68
  • Early Career Achievement Award: David Kieser, B.S.N. ’00, M.S.N. ’07 and Megan L. Rappleyea, B.S.N. ’10
  • Service Award: Meredith Lovelass ’73 and Tom Lovelass
  • Spirit of Nursing Award: Lisa Mengarelli, B.S.N. ’03

The following classes will be recognized for milestone reunions:

  • 70th reunion – diploma class of 1946
  • 60th reunion – diploma class of 1956
  • 50th reunion – diploma class of 1966
  • 40th reunion – diploma class of 1976
  • 30th reunion – B.S.N. class of 1986
  • 25th reunion – B.S.N. class of 1991
  • 20th reunion – B.S.N. class of 1996
  • 10th reunion – B.S.N. and M.S.N. classes of 2006
  • 5th reunion – B.S.N. and M.S.N. classes of 2011

Hotel accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Normal, for Friday and Saturday (April 22–23). Please call (309) 452-8900 and ask for the MCN-ISU group room block. The rate is $109, and reservations should be made by April 8, 2016. The Hampton Inn & Suites is located at 320 S. Towanda Ave. in Normal.

For more information about MCN Nurses Week, contact Amy Irving at (309) 438-7418.