Board Members Present: Diane Blankenship, Mary Buckley, Phyllis Chapin, Pam Cole, Shane House, Ernie Krug, Connie McIntosh, Jan Noel, and Ruth Ann Tolle.

President Connie McIntosh called the meeting to order at 5:25 p.m. and asked for any corrections or additions to the minutes of the August 31, 2004 Nursing Alumni Board meeting.  One correction was noted.  Connie had a son, not a daughter.  Shane House made a motion to approve the minutes as corrected.  Phyllis Chapin seconded the motion and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Old Business

Nursing Historical Project—Connie reported that she contacted Pat McCallister and Pat is excited to work on the project.  She is working on the chronological order and needs direction from the board about what we want.  She also needs some statistics from the School of Nursing.  Pat will contact Connie in the next two weeks to schedule a meeting with Ernie Krug, Connie, and her to discuss the project further.

Nursing Pinning Ceremony—Saturday, December 18, 2004, 7:30 p.m., Emens Auditorium.  Rehearsal will be Friday, December 17, 2004, 2:00-4:00 p.m., Emens Auditorium.

Shane reported that the meeting with the December 2004 class went very well.  Information was given and questions were answered.  Attendance of class members was also very good.

      The following details were arranged:

• Flowers—Shane will order 24 red carnations to be delivered to Emens on Saturday afternoon. Phyllis will confirm the number of graduates with Shane.
• Flowers/Scissors Distribution—Shane and Phyllis will distribute them.
• Emens Stage Set-Up—Jan Noel will make the arrangements, including the additional chairs.
• Scissors—Sherri White will order.  Connie will contact Sherri to follow-up.
• Program—Data for the program needs to be submitted to Diane by  Wednesday, November 10. Phyllis will check to see if the May 2005 Class will distribute the programs.

New Business

Outstanding Nursing Alumni Award Selection Committee—Connie McIntosh, Pam Cole, and Mary Buckley volunteered to serve as the committee.  When the committee meeting is scheduled, Diane Blankenship will provide the nominees materials.

A list of nominees was distributed.  Ernie will have an email sent to all nursing alumni to request nominations.  The nomination deadline is December 3.  The email will also include information about the 2005 Nursing Alumni Banquet and The Link newsletter.

2005 Fall Scholarship Selection—The guidelines and application were distributed for the board's review for any revisions and there were none.  Diane will send copies to Linda Siktberg for distribution to students.  Jan Noel, Phyllis Chapin, and Ruth Ann Tolle volunteered to serve as the Selection Committee.  When the committee meeting is scheduled, Diane will send Jan a worksheet and copy of the applications submitted.  Ernie requested that the materials be returned to him after the meeting.

Department Update

Ernie reported the following on behalf of Linda Siktberg:

There are 82 students who have been admitted for the 2005 Spring Semester.

Plans for redesigning the campus lab skill area are in process.  There has been discussion of renovating the CN 111 lounge.

Family Weekend is October 30 and 94 students and guests are anticipated.  Nursing activities are planned as follows:

• 9:30-10:00 a.m.--Continental Breakfast, CN315 A & B
• 10:00-11:00 a.m.--School of Nursing station tours
• 11:00-11:30 a.m.--Recognition of students named to Dean's List by Nancy Kingsbury, Dean, College of Applied Sciences and Technology

There will be a Health Career Job Fair on Monday, November 1, 2004 at the Student Center Ballroom, Second Floor.

Nursing Alumni Banquet—Linda inquired about inviting and recognizing all other nursing scholarship recipients, as well as the recipients who receive nursing alumni scholarships.  And, she also inquired about inviting and recognizing the benefactors of the scholarships.  The board agreed.  A letter of invitation from Linda, as SON director, and Connie, as Nursing Alumni Association president will be sent.  Ernie will contact Linda and Connie to work out the details. 

Alumni Council Update

Ernie reported for Kathy Hutson—The Alumni Council held a meeting on September 25, 2004.  A presentation was made by President Jo Ann Gora.

Alumni Association Update

Ernie reported that Homecoming 2004 was a success.  A week of events were celebrated October 4-9, culminating on Saturday, October 9.

There will be reception for President Jo Ann Gora October 28, 2004 in Fort Wayne, hosted by the BSUAA Northeastern Indiana Alumni Club.

Other Business

Connie read a letter from Tonja McClain, SON faculty member and Cottage Corner liaison, requesting financial sponsorship of one, or part of, a stress reduction seminar for nursing students.  Previously, a "Spa Day" was sponsored by St. John's Hospital of Anderson that included a lunch and massage; and the Cottage Corner group wants to continue this activity.  The massage therapist services cost $100 and the luncheon cost is estimated at $200 for 40 students, depending on the vendor.  The board agreed to provide $100 for massages.  Phyllis will contact Tonja and Linda to request a formal proposal be sent to Ernie, including the date of the Spa Day and all other details, as well as an invoice for payment.  If other sponsorship cannot be secured, the board agreed to assist further.

Shane House shared why he became part of the Nursing Alumni Board.  His goal is to make the nursing program better.  He sited examples that occurred during his years in the School of Nursing and communicated his concerns via the chain of command.  He feels he can make a difference.

The board discussed menu options for the 2005 Nursing Alumni Banquet, which will be Saturday, April 30.  It was agreed to have the same entrée and sides as last year (Chicken Cordon Bleu, red/gold roasted potatoes, vegetable), tossed salad (heavy on iceberg lettuce), orange yeast dinner rolls, and a chocolate dessert.  The reservation cost will be the same as last year, $20.   

The next Nursing Alumni Board meeting will be a dinner meeting on Monday, December 6, 2004, 6:00 p.m. at Vince's Restaurant.  Diane will make the reservations.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.