Alumni Update

Tina Cafeo, MSN ’97, RN
President, JHNAA

The Alumni Association has had a good year. I’m pleased to report that more than 140 alumni have volunteered for our mentoring program and will assist students by listening and encouraging them in their development to become Hopkins nurses. We hope these friendships increase the students’ confidence as they gain the unique leadership qualities of a Hopkins nurse.

The selection process to fill the director of alumni relations position is currently underway. James Kelley, the new associate dean for development and alumni relations, is committed to making sure the Alumni Association provides programming that keeps all alumni engaged and connected.

I also want to let you know that the University Alumni Association has formed a strategic planning group to consider new ideas for the future. This is the perfect opportunity to evaluate our own activities and consider how to engage future graduates.

In September, we held our annual Alumni Weekend. This year, in addition to reconnecting classmates and fellow graduates, we celebrated three milestones: the 20th anniversary of our Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Program, the School’s #1 ranking among nursing school graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report, and the #1 ranking for our Community/Public Health master’s programs.

On the following pages, you can read about the weekend’s many activities. As you view photos from the events, I hope it brings to mind fond memories of your own classmates and nursing school days. If you did not attend this year, we would love to see you next year. We are considering hosting a nursing symposium during Alumni Weekend with a number of presentations from which to choose. We have also discussed hosting an alumni service outreach project that could include wrapping up the day with an alumni reception. These are just suggestions and we want to hear from you! We value your input so please let us know what activities you would like to see continued or added to Alumni Weekend. Send me your comments and ideas at jhnaa@son.jhmi.edu.

This is our alma mater, and I hope you will join me and the rest of the Board of the Alumni Association to make it as successful as possible. I challenge all alumni to bring a friend and attend next year’s festivities. Please unite with us, choose to stay connected, and continue the legacy of Hopkins nursing.