Our Distinguished Graduate Awards serve to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of College of Nursing alumni for their outstanding contributions to patients’ health care through nursing care, research and their demonstration of the ethics and values of the nursing profession. The Nole Nurse Alumni Council selects award recipients.
Nominations for the 2026 awards are open through Sunday, January 18, 2026
Distinguished Graduate Awards Nomination Process
Required Nomination Information:
- Name and contact information (email and phone) for the nominee and nominator
- A brief (100 words or fewer) nomination statement
- Nominee’s current CV or link to LinkedIn profile
- Letters of support (optional)
All Distinguished Graduate Award nominations are submitted through an online survey. Nominators may nominate as many graduates as they like.
*Please note: Members of the Nole Nurse Alumni Council are not eligible to be nominated for or receive a Distinguished Graduate Award. All nominees MUST be graduates of the Florida State University College of Nursing. Nominees cannot be self-nominated.
Distinguished Graduate Awards Selection Process: Nominated graduates will be notified of their nomination. Award recipients will be selected and notified in February 2026 by the Nole Nurse Alumni Council. Distinguished Graduate Awards will be presented at the Nole Nurse Shining Stars Gala on Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida. For further information, contact alumni@nursing.fsu.edu.
2025 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients
2024 Honorees
- Exemplary Leadership: Linda Walton, DNP, RN, CENP (BSN ’83)
- Practitioner: Robyn Reaves, MSN, RN, FNP-C (BSN ’07)
- Government and Community: Holly Faessel Bennett, MSN, RN, NE-BC (BSN ’84)
- Educator: Patricia Trevathan, RN, CDCES (BSN ’96)
- Recent Alumni: Brittany Herold Lord, BSN (BSN ’96)
2023 Honorees
- Practitioner: Susan Clark
- Government/Community Service: Don Wood
- Recent Alumni: Garrett Gaillard
- Educator: Carol Whitefield