ABSN cohort was celebrated on April 20 through a virtual luncheon. More than 112 students, staff, and faculty from the program and from the general School of Nursing community signed in to the Zoom-based event.

The stream lasted almost 45 minutes, being kicked off by Michelle Hartman, assistant professor. Several faculty, staff, and students were recognized throughout the event. 

ABSN student Meera Narayanan came on to give what would have been her graduation speech. Traditionally, this event doesn't feature a student speaker, but, given COVID-19's impact on graduation, an exception was made for this year's occasion. 

"We are essential,” she said. “We are currently in the ‘Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation’ movie where they go, ‘Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to be there for your patients. Pursue it, and you’ll make a difference. Resist it, and many people in the world will miss the care you have to provide.’ That's what it feels like. We are fighters, and we are trained to get out there. We are needed now more than ever.” 

Recordings were played of the School of Nursing’s Nightingales chorus performing “We Shall Be Known” by MaMuse and the Duke University alma mater “Dear Old Duke,” to which the attendants were invited to sing along. Dean Marion Broome spoke to help conclude the event.

Awards 

The cohort was polled and awarded the following:   

Faculty Embodiment of Duke University’s Guiding Principles 

• Michelle Hartman 

Faculty Excellence in Teaching  

• Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler 

• Margie Molloy 

Excellence in Clinical Teaching 

• Malissa Sampson 

Staff Excellence 

• Danett Cantey 

Student Embodiment of Duke University’s Guiding Principles 

• Rachel Castillo 

• Jeremy Lawson

Other awards and recognitions included:  

Recognition of Student Organization Officers 

• Miranda Crouse 

• Anna D’Agostino 

• Jessica Dalmeida 

• Katherine Daponte 

• Oliver Fajardo 

• Julia Grubbs 

• Nicole Harris 

• Laura LeBlanc 

• Mary Leibold 

• Catherine MacQueen 

• Natalie Moscinski 

• Olufunke (ID) Oshinuga 

• Tulsi Patel 

• Clair Seckner 

• Abigail Short 

• Holly Skinner 

• Diana Sojda 

• Shelby Strockbine 

• Danielle Tamiesie 

• Akayla Vershay 

• Molly Wilson 

• Erin Woodbury 

Recognition of Peer Tutors and Note Takers 

• James Arnold 

• Lindsey Bonando 

• Miranda Crouse 

• Nicole Harris 

• Gina Labate 

• Mary Leibold 

• Stephanie Lin 

• Catherine MacQueen 

• Natalie Moscinski 

• Holly Skinner 

• Diana Sojda 

• Shelby Strockbine 

• Paula Venables 

• Kaylin Wilson 

Recognition of Peer Mentors 

• Lindsey Bonando 

• Dorothy Brooke Branigan 

• Rachel Castillo 

• Rachel Catlin 

• Miranda Crouse 

• Anna D’Agostino 

• Katherine Daponte 

• Oliver Fajardo 

• Sara Greene 

• Julia Grubbs 

• Nicole Harris 

• Yunah Kang 

• Jaclyn Latvis 

• Stephanie Lin 

• Catherine MacQueen 

• Natalie Moscinski 

• Meera Narayanan 

• Tulsi Patel 

• Logan Polsinello 

• Kelsey Schaad Feaver 

• Clair Seckner 

• Abigail Short 

• Holly Skinner 

• Shelby Strockbine 

• Molly Wilson 

• Sarah Woodard 

• Erin Woodbury 

Recognition of CALD Mentors 

• Yunah Kang 

• Jaclyn Latvis 

• Stephanie Lin 

• Catherine MacQueen 

• Meera Narayanan  

Recognition of Cohort Coordinator 

• Jill Breenan-Cook 

Recognition of Class Representatives 

• Anna D’Agostino 

• Rachel Castillo