The UNMC Alumni Engagement team welcomed College of Nursing alumni and friends back to campus Sept. 18-19 for Alumni Reunion Weekend 2026. Alumni traveled from 10 states to reconnect with classmates, celebrate distinguished alumni, and experience the continued growth of the college and university. Attendees represented class years spanning 1966 to 2020.
On Friday, nursing alumni joined graduates from the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy for campus tours and a Welcome Back Lunch. The lunch featured “AI That Cares for Everybody,” presented by John R. Windle, MD, founding director of the Center for Intelligent Health Care, as well as remarks from UNMC Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD.
College of Nursing alumni visited the McGoogan Health Sciences Library, where they viewed class photos, recorded stories from their time at UNMC, and explored historic nursing uniforms, artifacts, and other items that reflect the college’s history.
The celebration continued during the College of Nursing Dean’s Reception, where Dean Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, shared a college update and answered questions from alumni. She and Austin Clark, president of the college’s Alumni Council, presented this year’s alumni awards. Members of the ADN and BSN classes of 1976 were inducted into the Half Century Club in recognition of their 50-year reunion. Members of the BSN Class of 1971, who were unable to celebrate their milestone five years ago, also received a belated induction.
2026 Alumni Award Recipients
- Honorary Alumnus Award: Kathryn Fiandt, PhD
- Nursing Excellence Award: Sarah Neveills, PhD
- Dorothy Patach Spirit of Service Award: Melissa Holton, MSN
- Distinguished Alumnus Award: Bunny Pozehl, PhD
The weekend concluded with class-specific gatherings throughout Omaha.
Photos from the event can be found here. Read more about this year’s award recipients here.