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 18–22.
The following events have been scheduled for MCN Nurses Week:
Tuesday, April 18 — MCN Scholars Symposium
4–5:30 p.m., Alumni Center, Room 118, 1101 N. Main St., Normal
Explore research and evidence-based practice at MCN! Faculty, students, alumni, and community nurses are invited to our First Annual Scholars Day. The event begins with a welcome from Dean Judy Neubrander at 4 p.m., followed by a series of oral presentations and a poster session from 5–5:20 p.m. Awards for excellence and the most popular presentation will be given at 5:20 p.m. Information about the presentations will be available at Nursing.IllinoisState.edu/Alumni. This event is sponsored by Sigma Theta Tau Xi Pi Chapter. No cost, but registration is required by April 12.
Tuesday, April 18 – Alumni/Student Career Panel Reception
6–7:30 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 12.
Thursday, April 20 — 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 12.
Friday, April 21 — Golden Jubilee Celebration (attention Class of 1967)
4–6 p.m., Alumni Center, Room 116, 1101 N. Main St., Normal
This event honors nursing alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago, and pins will be handed out to the Class of 1967. Please come prepared with your memories and stories to share about your time in nursing school! 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 12.
Saturday, April 22 — Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization Awards and Reunion Banquet
11 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Alumni Center, Room 118, 1101 N. Main St., Normal
All alumni are invited to celebrate milestone reunion classes and award recipients! Doors will open at 11 a.m. Dean Judy Neubrander will welcome guests at 11:30 and a buffet luncheon will follow. Reunion class photos will be taken, and the 2017 MNAO alumni awards will be presented. $30 per person. Please register by April 13.
The following awards will be presented:
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Marsha Winterland Reeves ’80
- Early Career Achievement Award: Jennifer Stouffer Kelsey, B.S.N. ’06
- Service Award: Tom Carroll
- Spirit of Nursing Award: Crystal Smith, B.S.N. ’94, M.S.N. ’00
The following classes will be recognized for milestone reunions:
- 70th reunion – diploma class of 1947
- 60th reunion – diploma class of 1957
- 50th reunion – diploma class of 1966
- 40th reunion – diploma class of 1977
- 30th reunion – B.S.N. class of 1987
- 25th reunion – B.S.N. class of 1992
- 20th reunion – B.S.N. class of 1997
- 10th reunion – B.S.N. and M.S.N. classes of 2007
- 5th reunion – B.S.N. and M.S.N. classes of 2012
Hotel accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Normal, for Friday and Saturday (April 21–22). 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 1, 2017. 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.
