NEWS & EVENTS
Dean Wykle receives university’s distinguished alumni award
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FPB assistant professor Laura Nosek and University Alumni Association President Nancy Fink present Dean Wykle with her award. |
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Dean May L. Wykle was presented with the university’s 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award during the Grand Classes Luncheon and Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association of Case Western Reserve University on Friday, Oct. 23.
Each year, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alum who has made significant contributions to the welfare of humanity based on the education received at Case Western Reserve University or one of its predecessor institutions. Alums must have also given in-kind or philanthropic contributions to support and promote the mission, vision, and values of the university.
A triple alumna of Case Western Reserve and advocate and leader within the global healthcare community, Wykle was honored to receive the award.
“I came to Case Western Reserve University as a student with a desire to learn, and left with a desire to succeed and help those around me succeed as well,” she said during her acceptance speech. "And, after all these years and many professional roles along the way, I’m still here, giving back to students just like how my faculty and deans supported me throughout my career as a student."
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Dean Wykle delivers her acceptance speech. |
Wykle continued: "Out of all my many blessings in life, I consider the people I’ve met throughout my many years with Case Western Reserve University as among the most special. I’ve seen myself in students, who came from small towns or challenging upbringings rise to present groundbreaking research findings at national conferences. I’ve seen these students grow to become advanced practice nurses, and eventually leaders of hospital systems or key nursing faculty at FPB and our peer schools."
Wykle noted that in addition to the many people she's encountered along her journey, first as a Case student, then as professor, and later, as dean of FPB, it was her education that enabled her to be an agent of change.
"University president Barbara Snyder once wrote that the role of the modern research university is to solve society’s greatest challenges and answer its enduring questions. This is also the role of nursing, as well as my own personal mission to advance human health across the lifespan," she said. "And it’s my Case Western Reserve University experience that has given me the tools to work toward this mission." -- Posted 10/28/09
VIDEO EXTRA
Watch part of Dean Wykle's speech during this Case Alumni Weekend and Homecoming video.