Cal State Fullerton students and alumni joined current, former and founding faculty members in celebration of four decades of accomplishments at the School of Nursing’s 40th Anniversary Luncheon May 2.
Arlene Blix, professor emeritus of nursing and one of the school’s founding members, paid tribute to the late Wilma Traber, professor emeritus of nursing and the program’s founding chair. “Without her, none of us would be here today,” said Blix. “If we are very, very lucky in life, we meet one or two people who make a profound difference in our lives. Wilma was one of those for me.”
Students from the ’70s through the 2010s were in attendance, including nursing assistant and current student Mitchell Kyle Raymundo of Orange, who went into nursing “because I belong on the frontlines, on the ground with the patients and helping them deal with adversity,” he explained. “I love the aspect of continuous learning and the concept of innovation. Our profession has many strengths and our nursing culture adapts to fit the needs of our unique community.”
Cindy Smith Greenberg, professor of nursing and the school’s director, conferred several awards upon students and alumni. Student Janice Enriquez and Courtney Snyder ’14 (B.S., nursing) received the Promise of Nursing recognition, while Luis Renteria received the Stephanie Hernandez Memorial Scholarship.
The following nursing students received the California Community Foundation Scholarships, which support first-generation college students:
- Khasarah Aflleje
- Victoria Camarillo
- Lawrence Carrillo
- Rubby Lopez
- Linda Mendoza
- Duc Nguyen
- Beatrice Olteanu
- Hoa Thi Lien Tran
- Mayra Zermeno
The DAISY Faculty Award, which recognizes a professor’s great impact on students, went to Sandra James, a Cal State Fullerton faculty member since 2010.
Also present at Saturday’s event were representatives from Kaiser Permanente, St. Jude Medical Center, Placentia Linda Hospital, Saddleback Memorial and other community partners.
Inaugurated in 1974, the School of Nursing began with just eight students and four faculty members. Since 1990, the school has graduated more than 3,300 students, said Greenberg.