Vicennial Celebration Honors Faculty and Staff
At the School’s first Vicennial Celebration, longstanding faculty and staff were appreciated for their decades of leadership, innovation, and dedication.
At the inaugural Vicennial Celebration, Dean Michael V. Relf, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN led the acknowledgement of Duke University School of Nursing faculty and staff who have devoted 20 or more years of service to the School. The combined 409 years of service by these 17 individuals, Dean Relf said, have helped shape Duke into one of the top nursing schools in the world.
“Today is a meaningful and celebratory moment for our School,” Dean Relf said in his welcome. “We honor a remarkable group of faculty and staff who have dedicated 20 or more years of continued service to Duke University School of Nursing.”
Relf emphasized that the occasion represented far more than longevity. “This milestone reflects a deep and enduring commitment to the promise, the privilege, and the power of nursing—and to the role each of you has played in advancing our mission,” he said.
Throughout the ceremony, held at the Washington Duke Inn, honorees were recognized for their contributions to education, research, clinical practice, and operations, efforts that collectively support the School’s vision for reimagining nursing. Relf noted that their work has carried forward “the promise of nursing—to improve lives and shape the future of health,” while strengthening “the privilege of this profession—to care, to educate, to lead, and to serve.”
He also underscored the broader impact of their contributions: “The power of nursing—to transform systems, generate knowledge, and drive innovation—has been realized through your collective contributions.”
Each honoree received a certificate in recognition of their service and lasting legacy, in addition to a commemorative coin designed by administrative assistant Martha Brown.
“Together, you have built programs, advanced nursing science, and created an environment that allows this School and our students to thrive,” Relf said.
The 2026 Vicennial honorees are:
- Ruth Anderson — 27 years
- Donald Bailey — 23 years
- Angel Barnes — 22 years
- Margaret “Midge” Bowers — 25 years
- Debra Brandon — 25 years
- Anne L. Derouin — 27 years
- Sharron Docherty — 24 years
- Cristina Hendrix — 23 years
- Angie Keith — 22 years
- Eleanor McConnell — 30 years
- Bebe Mills — 26 years
- Julie Thompson — 20 years
- Kathryn Trotter — 20 years
- Barbara Turner — 33 years
- Kathleen Turner — 22 years
- Selnatta Vereen — 20 years
- Melissa Ziberna — 20 years
In closing, Relf reflected on the group’s collective impact: “Their individual and collective experience and wisdom have helped Duke School of Nursing become one of the best in the world. To each of you, a heartfelt thank you for your significant and sustained contributions.”