Thursday, May 8, 2014

HU School of Nursing recognizes National Nurses Week


Members of the HU School of Nursing Faculty 
The Hampton University School of Nursing (SON) started off the American Nurses Association National Nurses Week by wearing all white and preparing for the posthumous induction of an alumna into the HU Nursing Hall of Fame. The week is celebrated throughout the country May 6-12, and this year’s theme is “Nurses Leading the Way.”

HU SON Dean Dr. Deborah E. Jones said the week is an opportunity to highlight the important contributions nurses have made, and continue to make in the world.

“Hampton University is proud to take part in the recognition of National Nurses Week, and to honor one of our very own nursing professionals who contributed so much to the field,” she said. She championed and worked in organizations to achieve independent practice and prescriptive authority for nurses long before they became realities in the delivery of health care.”

On May 9, Dr. Lois Price Spratlen ‘54 will be posthumously inducted into the HU Nursing Hall of Fame. She is only the 12th alum to be added into the group. Upon her death in 2013, Dr. Spratlen bequeathed over $1 million to the HUSON. The funding is being used to establish The Lois Price Spratlen Endowed Chair (LPSEC) within the school, and the selected professor will focus on mental and community health research. Dr. Spratlen spent most of her career as a faculty member in psychosocial nursing at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Additionally, in April, her widow, Dr. Thaddeus H. Spratlen, provided the funding to establish “The Nursing Class of 1954 Endowed Scholarship” for $25,000 in his wife’s honor.


“Because of the many strides of nurses that have come before us, we owe it to them to be mindful and appreciative of their contributions,” Jones said. “For nursing pioneers like Lois Price Spratlen, Florence Nightingale and Mary Eliza Mahoney who came before us, this week is another opportunity to remember and give thanks.”

Monday, May 5, 2014

HU Leadership Institute Holds Senior Banquet

HU Leadership Institute Holds Senior Banquet

Seniors reminisce on exciting times before the ceremony begins
The HU William R. Harvey Leadership Institute celebrated their seniors with a graduation banquet that welcomed keynote speaker Isiah Reese, Microsoft’s Head Director of World Wide Marketing OEM.

Reese, who has held leadership roles for several major Fortune 500 companies, like The Walt Disney Companies, The Coca-Cola Companies, M&M Mars, and PepsiCo. to name a few, started the speech by saying, “My name is Isiah Resse and I’m just a country boy from Sumter, South Carolina."

He continued making valid points that weren’t only filled with wisdom, but were also very thought-provoking.

“Leadership is not a privilege, but an earned respect,” said Reese.

Isiah Reese & Dr. Battinto Batts, Jr. share a laugh


He also made reference to the negative connotation that failure has in the world— bringing to light that “failing is not fatal, but failing to change is.”

His speech, “Clearing the Pathways to Leadership,” left the graduating seniors, fellow Leadership students, parents, faculty, and staff in a timeless standing ovation.

The graduating students were further presented with beautiful plaques and awards by the Leadership Institute’s Dr. Battinto Batts, Jr., director, Ricardo Jarvis, professor, and Cynthia Thomas, academic coordinator.

Professor Ricardo Jarvis and senior Kiara Webb

“I think it has been abundantly clear that we want the best for each and every one of you. And though your agenda is about the change, we will continue to be here to support you,” concluded Batts.

The HU William R. Harvey Leadership Institute is sad to see their seniors go, but even more proud because they are all sure to embark on bright futures filled with promise and accomplishments.