Written by: David Brown May 8, 2012 UAH College of Nursing senior class commemorates graduation with special gift HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (May 8, 2012) — During the academic journey of The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Nursing senior class, invaluable professional and life skills were learned from experienced nursing faculty. As a way to say thank you and give back to the College of Nursing the 2012 senior class recently presented a monetary gift to Dr. C. Fay Raines, dean of nursing, to be used exclusively for the renovation and expansion of the nursing building. The Senior Class Gift is a tradition in the College of Nursing. This year, the gift designation was easy. "When we shared with Dean Raines that we wanted our class gift to go towards the renovation of the nursing building, she was honored. Dean Raines told us we were among the first contributors to the project," said Tecie Fletcher, a committee member of the Pinning Ceremony for the College of Nursing. Fletcher and fellow committee member, Elizabeth Clemons began accepting donations from senior nursing students in early April. The total amount presented to Dean Raines and the College of Nursing is nearly $2,000. "The fact that the class gift was designated toward improving facilities in the College of Nursing is another indication of the leadership of this class and their commitment to future students and nursing care in our community," said Dr. C. Fay Raines, dean of the College of Nursing. "We have a very close, generous family of students in the College of Nursing, so it made our job a little less challenging. I hope that future classes will follow our example and continue to raise money for the nursing program," said Fletcher. Clemons, Fletcher and their fellow students agree the building expansion project is "long overdue" and will greatly benefit students, faculty and the university in many ways. "The College of Nursing is growing in so many ways and has absolutely outgrown the building in its current state," said Fletcher. "Though the university was able to keep up with the technological demands and equip the classrooms with up-to-date audio/visual capabilities, the university has not been able to meet the individual needs of students .... The building has worked well and accommodated a number of students over the years, but it is time for expansion and new growth," Fletcher added. Clemons agreed, saying the expansion will allow the university to accommodate the accelerating field of nursing. "I believe it will help to attract more students to the program. UAH has such a strong program, but having a larger and better facility will add strength to the nursing program." Specifically, the College of Nursing expansion and renovation project includes new classrooms, a 250 seat lecture auditorium with projection room, a new elevator (large enough to accommodate a stretcher/gurney), enhanced building entry and security features, new handicapped accessible restrooms, and additional break-out spaces and other amenities. For more informationJoyce Anderson-Maples (256) 824.2101maplesj@uah.edu
