College of Nursing inducts 10 into Hall of Fame
The East Carolina College of Nursing inducted 10 members into its Hall of Fame on Friday, March 31, during a ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel Greenville. The event, which also recognized the college’s 2017 Distinguished Alumnus, honors outstanding contributors to nursing in the areas of education, administration, research and practice.
The college of Nursing inducted 10 new members into its Hall of Fame and honored its 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient on Saturday, April 1, 2017, at the Hilton Greenville. From left, Polly Johnson, Genemarie McGee, Debra Pomeroy, Sharon Overton, Donna Montana-Rhodes, Linda Hofler, Dean Sylvia Brown, Donna Gardner, Jean Matthews, Jayne Holland, Sonya Hardin and Mary Holland. (Photos by Conley Evans)
This year’s class includes inductees that hold leadership roles in major medical centers, the CEO of a statewide nonprofit nursing organization, esteemed nursing faculty members and one former U.S. Navy commander.
The Hall of Fame has raised approximately $94,000 for a merit-based student scholarship fund since its inception in 2011.
Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Linda Hofler, left, and College of Nursing Dean Sylvia Brown.
“The Hall of Fame was established to recognize the service of nurses who are considered to be among the most highly regarded nurse leaders and to acknowledge the significant impact that inductees have made to the advancement of nursing,” said Dr. Sylvia Brown, dean of the College of Nursing. “This Hall of Fame not only recognizes our outstanding leaders, but is another way to give back to future generations of nurses.”
The 2016-2017 Hall of Fame Scholarship recipient, Kelly Bulloch, a master’s student in the nurse anesthetist program, was recognized at the event.
The 2017 inductees join a list of 90 Hall of Fame members. Each new member receives a flame-shaped award that resembles the lamp illustrated on the college’s nursing pin. The lamp and its associated flame symbolize a commitment to service and a vibrant life. This year’s Hall of Fame class:
- Donna Jean Gardner, Freeport, PA
- Sonya Hardin, Greenville, NC
- Jayne Holland, Savannah, GA
- Mary Holland, Greenville, NC
- Polly Johnson, Chapel Hill, NC
- Jean Matthews, Ahoskie, NC
- Genemarie McGee, Chesapeake, VA
- Donna Montana-Rhodes, Washington, NC
- Sharon Overton, Greenville, NC
- Debra Pomeroy, Winterville, NC
On a night set aside for celebrating influential nurse leaders, the college also recognized the recipient of its 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award. This year’s awardee is Linda Hofler of Greenville, who earned both her master’s and PhD in nursing from ECU. Hofler serves as the senior vice president — nurse executive at Vidant Medical Center, the level-one trauma center that serves a 29-county region in eastern North Carolina.
Learn more about the College of Nursing’s Hall of Fame and Distinguished Alumnus Award by visiting www.nursing.ecu.edu/hof.cfm.
-by Natalie Sayewich, University Communication