Colleges and universities have issued press releases about the following local students.
Arlington nursing student has 3 wins at national conference
Third-year Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student Sara Wilkinson of Arlington took home top honors at the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) annual conference in Seattle, Wash. Wilkinson, a student at University of Tennessee Health Science Center, was the winner in three categories: the Student of Excellence Award, the Dean and Fred Hayden Memorial National Scholarship, and the AANA poster competition.
Only one student in the country is awarded the Student of Excellence Award. The award acknowledges the student’s academic excellence, excellence in leadership, and excellence in service to others.
“I was thrilled to receive this award, which acknowledged all my hard work during my time as a student nurse anesthetist,” Wilkinson said. “I was excited to be able to represent the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and the nurse anesthesia program.”
She added, “These awards have been wonderful to receive, to recognize all my efforts and hard work, but the most important goal of my career as a certified nurse anesthetist is to be of service to my patients.”
The Dean and Fred Hayden Memorial National Scholarship recognizes scholastic excellence. Wilkinson said she will put that money toward her tuition and books.
Wilkinson’s poster “Bispectral Index Monitoring and Post-Operative Delirium” was chosen to be displayed at the conference. This occasion marked the first time a poster from UTHSC has been honored in this way. Dwayne Accardo, DNP, CRNA, assistant professor and program director for the UTHSC College of Nursing DNP Nurse Anesthesia program, was Wilkinson’s collaborator on the project.
The AANA has a membership of more than 49,000, including certified (CRNA), recertified and student members. The organization represents approximately 90 percent of nurse anesthetists in the U.S.
Bartlett student is crowned as Austin Peay Homecoming Queen
Amber James of Bartlett was crowned the 2017 Austin Peay State University Homecoming Queen on Oct. 21. She is the daughter of Henry and Melissa James of Bartlett and was escorted by her father.
James is a healthcare management major with a minor in communication at Austin Peay. She is a graduate of the Bolton High School Class of 2014.
She and the Homecoming King were announced during halftime at the Govenor’s football game against Southeast Missouri at Fortera Stadium. Amber was sponsored by Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, a student organization that she serves as vice president.
James’s campus achievements and involvements also include Governor’s Ambassador, Who’s Who Among College and University Students, Dean’s List, Wilma Wilhoite Leadership Award, NAACP vice president, and resident assistant.
’Bama alum from Bartlett earns professional honor
Christopher Williams of Bartlett was among eight University of Alabama alumni honored during the recent homecoming activities on campus in Tuscaloosa, Ala. He was among the recipients of the annual Jack Davis Professional Achievement Awards in Ua’s College of Human Environmental Sciences.
The Jack Davis awards are presented to outstanding CHES alumni for their professional accomplishments. The awards have been given out since 1986, and the college has awarded the recognition to more than 200 alumni.
Williams is the infrastructure manager of Landau Uniforms, a $100 million healthcare and food service apparel manufacturer. He is responsible for developing goals, objectives and unit plans for information technology strategy as well as designing the backup strategy to ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster. He earned his master’s degree in interactive technology from UA. Williams was honored for his outstanding professional achievement in the area of interactive technology.
Arlington student named to academic honor society
Aydrian Deyja Shores of Arlington has been inducted into the Order of the Gown at the University of the South in Sewanee. Shores, the daughter of Stephanie R. Bonds, was inducted on Oct. 6.
The Order of the Gown is an academic honor society and a unique student government body among U.S. colleges and universities. Since 1875 the Order of the Gown has remained the body responsible for maintaining the spirit, traditions, and ideals of the University of the South. The wearing of the gown is both a sign of academic achievement and a promise to continue the ideals and traditions of the University.
Lakeland student honored as scholar at UA Little Rock
Oksana Durkee of Lakeland is among more than 200 freshman students recently selected for the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
The competitive scholarship awards up to $8,000 per year, totaling up to $32,000 for four years. It is awarded to entering freshmen who are Arkansas residents with at least a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average.
The CLC Program provides scholars an opportunity for campus and community involvement. It is a comprehensive program designed to develop and enhance the skills necessary for leadership positions at UA Little Rock and beyond.
CLC scholars complete 15 hours of service learning during fall and spring semesters and live on campus with peers.
