May 30, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--Several graduates of the University of West Alabama Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing were honored with special awards during the annual nursing convocation held in Bibb Graves Auditorium.

J. R. McLain of Millry received the Superior Performance Award, which is presented each year by the nursing faculty to the student who has best demonstrated academic excellence, exceptional clinical skills and potential for leadership in the nursing profession.

McLain, who earned the highest overall grade point average for the graduating class, also received the Outstanding Student Award. This award is chosen by the graduating class to honor a classmate who has assumed a leadership role in the class, demonstrated a friendly and cooperative attitude and promoted cohesiveness within the class.

Savannah Skinner of Toxey received the Elise Pruitt Clinical Achievement Award, which was established in 1995 to recognize a student who has demonstrated exceptional skill in the clinical area. The criteria includes recognizing the unique needs of each patient and planning care accordingly, respecting patients, clinical agency personnel and faculty and valuing the learning opportunities available during each clinical experience.

Rhonda Gonzalez of Demopolis received the Montag Leadership Award, which was established in memory of Mildred Montag, the founder of associate degree nursing education. This award recognizes a student who has excelled academically and demonstrated potential for leadership in the nursing profession.

Abbie Drinkard of Thomasville received the Nightingale Professionalism Award, which recognizes a student who has excelled academically and demonstrated exceptional professionalism in the clinical area and in interpersonal relationships. Criteria for this award include a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the nursing major, exceptional evaluation by clinical staff during the preceptorship experience and faculty recommendation regarding professionalism in relationships with faculty, peers and clinical agency personnel.

The Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing has maintained continuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission for nearly three decades and has graduated over 1,000 nursing students since its first class in 1976. The Division offers an associate’s degree in nursing and the option of completing a four-year bachelor’s degree program in conjunction with the University of Alabama. UWA’s nursing program also boasts NCLEX board examination passage rates that near 100 percent each year.