Undergraduate Honors and Awards

School of Nursing graduates are honored in a Senior Recognition Ceremony on the day of commencement. Nursing faculty and staff, as well as family members and friends, are invited to celebrate with the seniors at this special event. The highlight of the ceremony is the presentation of the Purdue University School of Nursing pin to each graduating senior. The graduates should wear these black-and-gold nursing pins with pride, as they are indications and symbols of accomplishment.

Several awards also are presented at the ceremony. Most of the recipients are selected by the School of Nursing Nominations and Elections Committee, which is comprised of faculty and student members.

The Outstanding Psychiatric Nursing Award is presented annually by the Wabash Valley Mental Health Center Auxiliary for excellence in the clinical practice of psychiatric nursing. The recipient's name is displayed on plaques in the Wabash Valley Hospital Mental Health Center and in Johnson Hall of Nursing.

The Army Nurse Corps (ANC), with the cooperation of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), sponsors The Spirit of Nursing Award. One student from each participating school receives the local award and a national selection committee then chooses a national winner.

Established in 1975 by Ethel Crockett Epple's son, Robert "Doc" Epple, the Ethel Crockett Epple award is given annually to an outstanding senior nursing student. The recipient has high academic standards, commitment to high-quality professional nursing care, assumption of responsibility for one's own actions and education, and strong involvement in community and professional nursing activities. A cash award and plaque is given. The recipient's name also is displayed on a permanent plaque in Johnson Hall of Nursing.

Commencements are held on the first Friday, Saturday or Sunday following the end of the Fall semester, and the next subsequent weekend after the end of the Spring semester. The ceremony takes place in Elliot Hall of Music.