MENNONITE COLLEGE OF NURSING Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University creates a dynamic community of learning to develop exceptionally well-prepared nurses who will lead to improve health outcomes locally and globally. We promote excellence in teaching, research, service, and practice with a focus on the vulnerable and underserved. We are committed to being purposeful, open, just, caring, disciplined, and celebrative.  RISING The vision of Mennonite College of Nursing is to be a premier college of nursing dedicated to improving local and global health outcomes.

A LETTER FROM THE DEAN

Welcome!

If you follow the news, you know that the healthcare industry stands at the edge of change. All of us connected to nursing, and to the larger healthcare industry, feel it. Things, as they currently are, cannot sustain.

So where does that put us?

When I think back on my first year as Dean of Mennonite College of Nursing, one thing stands out to me – as a college, we too stand on the edge. The vision of MCN is to be “a premier college of nursing dedicated to improving local and global health outcomes.” I passionately believe that we have the potential to really embody that statement.

But how? Looking forward into the next year and beyond, I envision a MCN that innovates, educating a generation of nurses prepared to step into more primary care roles. Nurses poised to not only excel as caretakers, but to show great leadership in this time of uncertainty. Nurses who are passionate, engaged with their communities, and dedicated to the vulnerable and underserved.

We are already gaining momentum.

Last year I stated that one of my priorities would be to increase grant funding at MCN, and I am proud to say that we did just that. Mennonite College of Nursing was awarded $2 million in grant funding to support diversity in the nursing workforce by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a $1.4 million Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Grant to prepare FNP students to practice primary care in rural and underserved settings. We are one of only 7 in the country to receive both of these grants, and the only university in the State of Illinois.

This coming year, it is my goal to do more. In order to provide further opportunities to our students, we aim to increase scholarships from 93 to 100 in time for our 100^th Anniversary Celebration, and we're looking for new and innovative ways that our donors can get involved. We are exploring an immersive transcultural experience for our students in Panama.  In addition, we are continuing to build partnerships with area hospitals, including an exciting new partnership as one of Advocate Health Care health system’s “Preferred Education Partners” and a new “Dedicated Education Unit” at Advocate BroMenn that will feature an apprenticeship-style clinical training model.

I admit, change can be intimidating. However, times of change also open us up to opportunity.

I am excited about what the coming year and this new strategic plan will bring.

One thing, I can assure you, will not change – Mennonite College of Nursing will continue to deliver on the fundamentals that make us strong: community, research, and academic excellence.

Here’s to celebrating the past, while trail blazing into the future!

Best,

Judy

Judy Neubrander
Dean, Mennonite College of Nursing

 

 

MILESTONE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
INCOMING CLASS FALL 2016
Traditional Prelicensure GPA: 3.81 ACT: 27 Apps Received: 1150 Enrolled Students: 152			Accelerated GPA: 3.4 ACT: 25 Apps Received: 81 Enrolled Students: 23			Graduate Programs GPA: 3.52 Apps Received: 97 Enrolled Students: 48

Back row: Emily McMahon - Director, Marketing & Recruitment Barbra Oldenburg - Administrative Clerk Brenda Johnson - Faculty Susana Calderon - Faculty Becky LaMont - Success Plan Coordinator Front row: Valerie Wright - Director, Undergraduate Programs Jennifer Sedbrook - Director, Development New faces not pictured: Olanna Pullen - Proud Grant Coordinator Kileigh Guido - Academic Adivser Carla Leber - Administrative Aide

Faculty and Staff   Mennonite College of Nursing would be nothing without our amazing faculty and staff. For our most up-to-date faculty and staff roster, please visit the MCN website .

DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

First, I would like to recognize the incredible work of my predecessor, Jenny Ward. Jenny’s 14 years of hard work with donors and alumni set a great path, creating scholarships and endowed funds that will support our college for years to come. It is my pleasure to continue to build upon the foundation she built. 

With the upcoming centennial celebration and the launch of Redbirds Rising: The Campaign for Illinois State, it’s an exciting time for Mennonite College of Nursing. As we honor our history we are paving the way for future students to have an even stronger impact in our world. Support through Redbirds Rising will prepare nurses for the transformation of healthcare, attract top faculty, reinvent our learning spaces, and promote a national model for nursing education. Thanks to gifts from the donors listed in this report, MCN is already more than 65 percent of the way to our fundraising goal of $7.5 million. 

Fiscal year 2017 was a great year for philanthropy here at MCN. One of our Redbirds Rising campaign volunteers, Cinda Roth ’65, committed one of MCN’s largest planned gifts through her estate. The gift will provide opportunities for students and will honor her family’s history with MCN through the Peter A. and Ella G. Scholarship. Cinda’s plan to support the College for future generations through an estate gift is meant to honor her family’s strong history and connections to the College. Additionally, we endowed a new scholarship: The John and Karen Parker Endowed Scholarship. The Gertrude E. Skelly Charitable Foundation’s continued annual gifts of $15,000 to $30,000 provides support in the form of scholarships for our accelerated nursing students. Khara Holland ’12, whose career as a travel nurse is highlighted in this report, is a two-time recipient of the Skelly Nursing Scholarship. These are just a few examples of the many ways our alumni and friends are helping MCN rise to higher levels of excellence. 

Our college launched several new and exciting initiatives this year, including the Student Leadership Academy and the exploration of a new Master of Science in Nursing – Master of Business Administration program. Both of these initiatives aim to prepare our graduates with the skills necessary to become not only exceptional nurses, but also leaders equipped to push the field of healthcare forward. 

Over the past months, Dean Neubrander and I met with amazing alumni in central Illinois, Chicago, Arizona, South Carolina, North Carolina, Colorado and Florida. Each time I meet with Mennonite College of Nursing alumni, I’m struck by your passion and generosity. If we haven’t met, I look forward to getting to know you, and to the great work we are going to do together!

Sincerely,

Jennifer

Jennifer Sedbrook

SCHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHTS

Redbirds Returning Home Mennonite College of Nursing is proud to announce the return home of alums Valerie Wright and Becky LaMont. Read More Research & Scholarship Our faculty, staff, and alumni are leaders in their field. This year was no different. Read More $2 Million Diversity Workforce Grant Mennonite College of Nursing received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support developing diversity in the nursing workforce.  Read More $1.4 Million Grant to Focus on Rural & Underserved MCN was selected as one of 50 recipients in the country for an Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Grant, which will prepare FNP students to practice primary care in rural and underserved settings. Read More Pohl Receives Research Initiative Award Pohl teaches across the undergraduate and Doctorate of Nursing Practice programs, is a certified nurse midwife, and an expert in public health. Her work with the American’s Promise Schools Project is making a substantial difference in children’s health. Read More Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization Presents Awards The Mennonite Nurses Alumni Organization presented four awards - Distinguished Alumni Award, Early Career Achievement Award, Service Award, and the Spirit of Nursing Award. Read More

DONOR ROLL Your support allows us to aim higher. Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University is grateful to the following students, alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, faculty, and staff for their generous gifts and pledges.  We have made every attempt to ensure accuracy. If your name has been omitted, misspelled, or incorrectly listed, please accept our apologies and contact Director of Development Jennifer Sedbrook at (309) 438-7178 or jsedbro@IllinoisState.edu.

$100,000+
State Farm Companies Foundation
$10,000 - $49,999
Advocate Healthcare COUNTRY Financial	Bruce and Leigh Fredbloom Margaret Randolph	Phyllis Schieber Gertrude E. Skelly Foundation
$5,000-$9,999
Heritage Geriatric Foundation	David and Karen Magers	John and Joanne Maitland
$1,500-$4,999
Ann and Thomas Baughan Warren Borchers Cheryl Carmack Monte Fisher	Illinois Heart & Lung Foundation Margaret Johnson and William Greene Betty Kinser Janet and Stephen Krejci	John R. Lawrence Family John R. Lawrence Trust Mid-Central Gastroenterology Center H. Catherine and Terry Miller	Joyce and Kurt Moser John Parker Brent and Janet Paterson Elfrieda and Richard Ramseyer
$500 - $1,499
Anonymous Charlene and Brian Aaron Cynthia Arbuckle Kim Astroth Bank of America Charitable Foundation	John and Evelyn Bertsche CoBank Myrtella Cook Barbara Cothren Susan Cribb	Michael and Jean Ann Dargatz William and Irene Dunn Elizabeth Davis Holder Foundation Richard Erickson Jerry Etcheson	Jon and Kathryn Etcheson Etcheson Spa & Pool Inc Donald and Ann Fernandes Lindsey and Nannette Flowers Nancy Froelich
Nancy Froelich Trust Mary and Gregory Gossmeyer Russell and Donna Hagen Jessica and Shawn Harnish Patricia Johnson	Stephany Joslin Dan and Pamela Kelley Kemp Foundation John and Elaine Krupka Gail and Douglas Lamb	Meredith and Thomas Lovelass F. Dick and Janis Maxwell Beth McGillivray Janel and Scott Morgan Larry and Joyce Morlan	Elizabeth and Jonathan Myers Janice Parker Cinda Roth Mary Ryder James and Linda Shirk
Russell and Betty Shirk Foundation Mark and Joni Smith Rose Stadel Terrence Tapley Lynn and James Tatman	Doris Teubel Scott and Cindy Tinervia Paul and Mary Ann Watkins Beverley and Richard Winston
$250 - $499
Anonymous Michelle and Donald Anderson Marilyn and John Asper Daniel and Kathy Barbee Jay Batten	Bloomington Eye Institute Ella Bohrer E. Paula Crowley and Daniel Deneen Bernard and Dorothy Deany Daniel G. Deneen Family Trust	Betty Duncan Howard and Theresa Frank Juanita and Dale Garrett Shawn and Rebekah Hayes Thomas and Jane Heineke	Marjorie Irving Catherine Kaesberg and Jeffrey Corwin Sharon and Steven Kelleher Sheryl Kelly Thomas and Lynn Kennell
LuAnn and Arnold Ladwig Joseph and Diane Lecher Kathleen Martin Beth and John Mathews K. Maxwell Irrevocable Trust	David and Jane McCully Gail Shockly Petro Nancy Roth Merry Schmied Paul and Audrey Slater	Glenn and Mary Stech Kay and Gary Thompson University of Wyoming Sonia and Tim Vercler Dane and Jennifer Ward	Regina and Christopher White Kathryn Wood Karen Wyant Amy and James Yoder
$100 - $249
Mary and David Althaus Luann and Christopher Anderson Darrell and Mary Andris Sylvia Argilla Hollis Armstrong	Karen Bailey Laura and Raymond Baue William Bayne Christine Bellas Marcia Bellas	Celeste Betjemann Barbara and Andrejs Bocka Donny Bounds Marietta Brandt Marcia Buchs	Madaline and Harry Burns Lana and Don Burson Celeste G Betjemann Trust Seon Yoon Chung Gregory and Gertrude Clark
Aldine and Lloyd Combs Mary and Robert Cranston Donna Cripe Patricia Decker Jacqueline and Jamie Deffenbaugh	Karen and John Dennis Helen and Keith Dohleman Kelly Farrell Joan and William Fike Patricia Finegan	Margaret and Kenneth Fisher Patty Fredericks Neil and Deborah Frownfelter Marcena Gabrielson Gary Gawlick	Marie and James Gillibrand Carol and Cloyce Gress Beverly Grimes Hank and Joan Guenther Denise and David Hammer
Angela and Bernie Harrison Kevin and Mindy Hazard Anne and Grant Heinold Darlene and Nathaniel Hiett Mary and Loren Hodgson	Joyce and Samuel Hofer Jill and Jason Huber Joy Hutchcraft Nicholas Iden Linda and Joseph Irle	Amy Irving Jenna Irwin Cheryl Jackson Shirley Jackson Denise and Charles James	Melissa Jarvill Richard and Julia Johnson Kim and Colleen Kannaday Estate of Lois Kaufmann Ruth and Borhan Khatib
Michelle and Jeffrey Kilcher Linda Kimber Mary Anne Kirchner Christine and Lynn Klopfenstein Betty and Raymond Knuckles	Mary and Jason Ko Cynthia and Glenn Kraemer Greg and Michelle Kujawa Anita and Andrew Lankowicz Nina Bieneman	William Lawrence Donna and Richard Leonard Kara and Ronnie Lewis Stephen and Beck Lewman Todd and Sarah Lindsey	Nancy LoPiccalo Jane Love Nancy and John Machens Munib Mafazy and Rebecca Gearhart Steve and Cynthia Malinowski
Lila and Arlan Martin Violette Mathis Kenneth* Maxwell Lora McClelland and Michael Simmons Sue Ann McGinnes	Rebecca and Thomas McMahan Allen and Bethany Miller Matthew and Janeen Mollenhauer Mary and John Moore Kathleen Morris	Jewel Moulton Patricia Murdoch Melanie Murphy Mary Necessary Allison Nissen	Ruth Oesch Jodi and Richard O'Hara Dianne and Robert Olson Nancy and David O'Neall Jenifer Patton
Jamie Penrod Nancy Petropoulos A. Darlene and Joseph Poindexter Mary Punke Susan and Robert Read	Melynda and Scott Renner Marlisa and Brian Rieke L. Annette and Robert Ritchey Ronald and Martha Ropp A. Joanne Roth	Vada and Keith Saffer Rebecca and Lynn Schaffer Sandra and Kurt Scheidenhelm Alice and John Schieber Mary Schilling	Laura and Michael Schmied Stephanie and Timothy Shea Nathan Slider Rex and Lois Smith Sandra Stanger
Stephen Stapleton Cynthia Starkey Jeanette Storck Loretta and Terry Strange John and Erma Stutzman	Janet and Dennis Sutter Mary and Charles Sutton Trust-Mart Jason and Kathleen Tucholke Janet Tuley	Elizabeth and C. John Uphoff Kay and George Vincent Sheila and Jerry West Linda Westfall Shafer Mary Ellen and Steven Wiegand	Myra and Joseph Wiegand Denise and Gary Wilson Thomas and Kay Wilson Michelle and Leon Wipperfurth Wendy and Kenneth Woith
Stephanie Wollenberg Lucille and Robert Zimmerman
$1 - $99
Amelia Adkins Jean and John Aeschliman Karen and Anatol Ahijevych Linda and Stephen Ahrens Deborah and D. Anthony Antonacci Linda and Jay Aquino Megan Arevalo Luella Armstrong David Ashbrook Melinda Bahler	Jacqualine Balch Wendy and Mark Bardwell William and Lauri Bates Mary and Alan Batts E. Ann Baxter Matthew Baxter Channouthe and Eduardo Bedolla Gregory Bellas and Kirsten Setterholm Michelle Bender Nancy and Melvin Birkey	Shauna Bivens Mary and Charles Blythe Crystal and Ben Bricker Leslie Carter and Scott Bross Ramona Brown Trina Brown Emily Bruehl Kimberly Buck Marvin and Wanda Burnhardy Michael Butler	Larry Byrd Lauren Carr Delores Carter John and Sue Chrisman Jason and Leigh Clay Joenita and Stanley Clemens Patricia and John Conte Jeanne and Warren Cooke Cooke Revocable Living Trust Phyllis and Dale Coulter
Diana Currington Linda and George Cushing Janice and John Dall Emily Davis Margaret and Dirk de Werff Amy and Stephen Detig Eugene and Gerda Detweiler Glenda Dexter-Brown and Philip Brown Hannah and Robert Dignan Nancy Diller	Margaret and Virgil Donze Linda and Stephen Douglas Susan and Jeffrey Dowell Shirley Drazewski Steven and Janet Dressler Marcile Duehr Sherry Duley Paul and Betty Duzan Mary Dyck Michelle Ebenroth	Frederick Eisenhut Marilyn and Gary Elliott Louis and Connie Fegan Sally Fehrle Kathryn and Merle Ferguson Wilma Fever Amy Filter Gary and Judith Fish Constance Fitch Janet and Robert Flageole	Herb and Carol Flescher John and Patti Floyd Diane Folken Dee and Dennis Foor Susan Franzen and Steve Volz Taylor Froats Tami and Scott Gadbury Michelle and Timothy Maurer Grace Ganieany Christine and Steven Gardner
Joan and Kevin Glowacki Deborah and Gary Grady Joseph and Kelly Grant Susan and Danny Grant Sheila and Bill Guither Teresa Gulley Doris and C. Robert Haas Rebecca and Thomas Haas Dorothy Haeffele Amy Hagedorn	Rebecca and Paul Hakes Richard and Betty Hamblin Jeffrey and Ann Hamer Beverly Harms Elizabeth Harper Rebecca Harris Clara Harvey Diana and Greg Hasler Marilyn Hasty Christine and Eric Havens	Mary and Charles Heap Ron and Judy Heiken Kelli and Matthew Heisner Jennifer and Tracy Hendricks Ron and Candy Henkleman Debra and Bill Herz Enrique and Teresa Hicaro Christiane and James Hines Kristin Horney Viola and Walter Huber	William and Connie Hueber Benjamin Hulfachor George and Juanita Hulvey Randall and Peggy Jacobs David Jansen Julia Jekli Gay Jensen Susan and Harry Jiles Elora Jiskra Diane and Randy Johner
Arlene Johnson Erie and Gayle Johnson Amber Blaser-Jones Charles Jones Lacy Jones Ruth and Robert Juhler Elisabeth Kapraun Katherine Kara Linda and Harry Karle Todd and Tammy Keating	Julie Kennedy Cynthia and Michael Kerber Opal and Thomas Kerchenfaut Joel and Jennifer Kiedaisch Mary and Dennis Kinsella Joseph and Kristie Klingler Scott and Diane Koch Susan and William Kohler Katherine Krall Kirsten Krauth	Kelly Krise-Evans Patricia and Gerald Lackey Marcia and Terry Laesch Carol and Charles Laible Bridgette and Jay Lamar Vickie Lannie Jennifer and Loel Lanz Jerry and Wanda Lay Charlotte Leach Pamela and Douglas LeConte	Twyla Legner Sandra and Rodney Lehman Lila L Martin Trust Colleen and James Lindberg Jane and Robert Linder Rosina and A. Dale Litwiller Virginia Lockwood Maxine and Richard Lolling Morgan Love Michele and Dennis Ludwig
Susan Lynch Michele and Thomas Malin Mary Malinowski Rosemary and Ellis Martin G. H. Louis Marting Michelle Maurer Pamela McMillen Lisa and Benjamin Mengarelli Connie and David Mohr Angela Montejo	Melissa Moody Rebecca and Lee Moore Rachel and Charles Moser Lee Murrin Emily Nafziger Laurel Neitling Judy Neubrander Sandra Nielsen Thomas and Pamela Norris Teresa Novy	Elizabeth Objartel Amy and John O'Brien Alexis Oduyale Mary and Paul Orns Dennis and Jane Ortinau Nancy Paceley-White Kelli and John Pasley Michelle Pastwa Mary and Larry Peterson Jay Pfister	Jerome Pfister Linda and Jack Pfister Judith Pike Teresa and David Pratt Jane and Michael Price Jane and Gregory Randall Joyce Raycraft Mary Rebbe O. Edward and Sue Reitz Helen Rexroat
Jane Rieger Victoria Risley Katie and Matthew Roedl Lynne and Antonie Romyn Kaitlin Ross Julie Rude Janice and Philip Rush David and Penny Sapp Teresa and Doug Saxton Peter Scaff	Sharon Schertz Paul and June Schmidt Erin and Joseph Schmitt Kelly and Paul Schuler Becky and Rick Schultz Jerry Seiver Ruth Shaffer Fred and Anita Shears Velma and Richard Shetler Stan and Rene Shingles	Allison Silcroft Renee Simons Trenor Delores Simpsen Julie and Kenneth Sinnett Karlee Skaggs Gary and Mary Slutz Marjorie Smith Mary Alice Smith Carol Smoots Gregory and Dawn Spencer	Angela Stancy Lorraine and Jay Stanwood Deborah and Stephen Stenger Kimberly StLeger Sonia and Gale Stoller Norma and Jay Strang Brenda Summerfield Sonya Taylor Betty Thomas Jayme and Gerald Thompson
Laura and Daryl Tolan Sally and Martin Toohill Sally Traylor Emma Tritt and Robert Baxter William and Loretta Troyer Amy and James Ulrich Carol and Richard Vignali Margaret Volz Nancy Wagler Betty Wagner	Wagner Family Limited Partnership Barb Wahls Carolyn and Steve Walker Allison Warzecha Peggy Watkins Kathleen Watt Tenna and Raymond Webb Willard and Marilyn Weidner Diana Wells Lindsey Wheeler	Jennifer and Jason Whitfill Kathleen and Roger Wiegand Tricia Wiegner Arthur Williams Clara Williams Bob and Dorothy Wollberg Mindi and Mark Wuest Julie Yeager Kayla and Kevin Yost Sandra and David Young	Kelly Zehr Kay and Gary Ziebart

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