LCON News

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From Culinary Arts to Nursing Science: How Jordan Buchanan Found Purpose in Nursing

Jordan Buchanan’s life is a remarkable story of reinvention, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose. With 25 years of experience in the culinary world, including 15 years as a chef, Buchanan’s career ranged from washing dishes to serving as an executive chef, part-owner, and culinary school instructor. He even earned the prestigious Certified Executive Chef diploma from the National Restaurant Association. Despite his success, he felt a growing desire to make a change. Read More >

Dr. Jeremy Whittaker Honored as a Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals Awardee

On November 23rd, Dr. Jeremy Whittaker, Associate Dean for Student Success at the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON), was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Urban Elite Professionals Awardee, an honor that celebrates his outstanding contributions to higher education, community development and his unwavering commitment to student success. Read More >

Corey Scott's Journey of Service, Sacrifice, and a New Mission

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, we honor those who have served our country in uniform and beyond. One such veteran, Corey Scott, now a nursing student set to graduate this Fall of 2024, embodies the journey of resilience, growth, and a profound sense of purpose that defines so many veterans transitioning into new careers. Corey’s path from airborne infantryman to nursing student reflects the courage, commitment, and dedication many veterans bring to healthcare. Read More >

LCON MINDSET Members Present Research at 49th Annual AAMN Conference, Championing Diversity in Nursing

Three members of Loewenberg College of Nursing’s MINDSET organization, Antonio Davis, Jaelen Gatewood, and Christian Majors, proudly attended the 49th Annual American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN) Conference, held in St. Louis, Missouri, from October 17–19, 2024. The LCON students presented their poster abstract, titled “The Effects of Convenience on Colorectal Screening Rates: A Literature Review,” which received positive feedback from attendees. Their participation at the conference showcased the college’s commitment to research, education, and advocacy in the field of nursing. Read More >

LCON Launches First Cohort of Student Ambassadors for the 2024-25 Academic Year

This fall, the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) proudly launched its inaugural cohort of Nursing Student Ambassadors. This dedicated group of students has been selected to serve as the face of LCON, engaging with prospective students, families, donors, and academic partners. With their passion for nursing and leadership, the ambassadors will play a key role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the LCON community. Read More >

LCON Student Liliana McKenna Featured on Amazon Prime's The College Tour and WREG Live at 9

University of Memphis nursing student Liliana McKenna recently appeared on WREG's Live at 9 alongside Dr. Jeremy Whittaker to spotlight her academic journey and involvement in the Amazon Prime Video series, The College Tour. This groundbreaking show, hosted by Alex Boylan, provides an inside look at the experiences of real students at universities across the world, and McKenna’s feature highlights her experience as a nursing student and the enriching study abroad experience in Japan. Read More >

LCON Launches Distinguished Lecture Series to Promote Health Equity and Nursing Innovation

On October 10, 2024, the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON), led by Dr. Linda Haddad, in collaboration with Dr. Leanne Lefler, the William A. & Ruth F. Loewenberg Endowed Chair of Excellence, is proud to launch the Distinguished Lecture Series. This series is designed to engage the public with prominent scholars in nursing and health sciences, reflecting LCON's commitment to inspiring future nursing leaders and strengthening partnerships with both the University of Memphis and the Memphis Health System. Read More >

Integrating Scholarship, Teaching, and Practice with LCON Partners

In nursing education, integrating scholarship, teaching, and service is often seen as essential to a practice-focused program like the BSN program at the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON). However, achieving this balance can be challenging in academia, where faculty may specialize as "the best teachers," "the best researchers," or "the best practitioners." Despite this, LCON remains committed to actualizing its vision “to be transformative leaders in nursing education, practice, and science” by blending these roles seamlessly rather than treating them as separate domains. Read More >

Dean Linda Haddad Named One of Mid-South Women of Impact

On September 13, 2024, several faculty and staff members attended the Mid-South Go Red For Women Luncheon to support Dean Haddad in this initiative; we are proud of her leadership, not only within LCON but also in her dedication to improving women’s health across the Mid-South. Her recognition as one of the Women of Impact is a testament to her commitment to excellence in nursing and community service. Read More >

The Assistant Dean of Nursing Transitions to Assistant Dean for Community Partnerships and Practice

Effective August 1, 2024, Dr. Brad Harrell has been transitioned to Assistant Dean for Community Partnerships and Practice, based full-time at the Memphis Campus. This new role will be pivotal in advancing our clinical engagements and strategic goals. Read More >

Dr. Debra Kelly Has Been Named Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at LCON

Dr. Debra Kelly has been named Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, effective July 1. Dr. Kelly brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role, having served as the associate dean for academic affairs undergraduate education since 2020 at the University of Florida College of Nursing, which boasts the number 1 nursing program in Florida with an impressive NCLEX pass rate of 97.7%. Read more >

Amy Luckey Receives the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses Educators

In a well-deserved recognition of her dedication and expertise, Amy Luckey has been awarded the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators. As a nurse educator, Amy has demonstrated unwavering commitment to her students' learning and professional development. Her passion for nursing education shines through in her innovative teaching methods and genuine care for her students' success. Read more >

STRONG-RN Scholars End of the Year Celebration with Special Guest and Recognition

STRONG-RN scholars gathered for a final celebration in a meaningful conclusion to the semester, marking their achievements and milestones. The STRONG-RNs program, renowned for its dedication to supporting and retaining nursing students from economically or socially disadvantaged backgrounds, received well-deserved recognition. Read more >

Dr. Annapoorna Mary Appointed as PhD Program Director at LCON

LCON is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Annapoorna Mary as the new PhD Program Director, effective May 6th. Dr. Mary's acceptance of this key leadership position is met with enthusiasm as she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to further enrich the PhD program at LCON. Read more >

Dr. Danielle Gunter Announced as the Undergraduate Program Director

On March 25, LCON announced that Dr. Danielle Gunter accepted the position of Undergraduate Program Director at our college, effective May 9th. In her new role, Dr. Gunter will oversee the traditional, accelerated, and RN-BSN programs, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to our institution. Read more >

Dr. Angela Oigbokie Appointed Nursing Leadership Concentration Coordinator

LCON appoints Dr. Angela Oigbokie as the MSN Nursing Leadership Concentration Coordinator, effective May 15, 2024. Dr. Oigbokie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this role, having previously taught in the executive leadership program and possessing several years of experience guiding graduate students within the FNP program. Read more >

Dr. Jeremy Whittaker Joins Prestigious OA Influencer's Tour

Dr. Jeremy Whittaker, Associate Dean at the Loewenberg College of Nursing, University of Memphis, was recently selected to participate in the prestigious OA Influencer's Tour program. This program, organized by the Air Force, aims to showcase the diverse career opportunities available within the Air Force to influencers from various fields. Read more >

Joe Brandenburg Retires

After six years of dedicated service, Joe Brandenburg, the esteemed Director of Development for the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON), bids farewell to embark on a new chapter of his life: retirement. With a mix of nostalgia and anticipation, Joe reflects on his time at LCON with heartfelt gratitude and fond memories. Read more >

Honoring Excellence: Nominations Open for the DAISY Award at LCON

Nominations for the Extraordinary Nursing Faculty at LCON are now open, offering students, colleagues, and staff an opportunity to recognize those who inspire, lead, and shape the next generation of healthcare providers.

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Kimberly Beasley and Austin Corsmeier Receives ADR PhD Dissertation Research Award

Kimberly Beasley and Austin Corsmeier have achieved a remarkable milestone, securing the prestigious Associate Dean for Research's PhD Dissertation Research Award at the University of Memphis, Loewenberg College of Nursing.

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Dr. Jeremy Whittaker on Nursing Education at NASPA's 2023 Conference in Washington DC

Dr. Jeremy Whittaker is set to make waves at the upcoming 2023 NASPA Racial Equity & Social Change Conference in Washington DC. Scheduled from December 6-9, Dr. Whittaker will take the stage as a guest speaker, presenting an insightful session titled "Nurturing Success: Bridging the Gap for Nursing Students from Economically and Disadvantaged Backgrounds."

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Tracie Augusta Excels with NLN Scholarly Writing Retreat Selection and Prestigious 2023-2024 CoRS Award

Dr. Tracie Augusta has been chosen to participate in the prestigious Fall/Winter 2023 NLN Scholarly Writing Retreat. Adding to her accolades, Tracie has also been bestowed with the 2023-2024 Communities of Research Scholars (CoRS) award. This dual recognition not only signifies Tracie's commitment to scholarly excellence.

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LCON Makes a Meaningful Mark at the African American Male Wellness Walk/Run

In the predawn hours of Saturday, October 7, 2023, Fourth Bluff Park saw the arrival of a dedicated team comprising 70 LCON faculty, staff and students. Their mission of “bringing the clinic to the community” through a day of volunteerism and community service at the African American Male Wellness Walk.

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Adapting for Tomorrow: LCON Curriculum Changes

In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, LCON leaders believe it is imperative that our nursing educational programs align with the dynamic healthcare landscape. To ensure our students are prepared to excel as future nursing professionals, our nursing programs have undergone significant curriculum changes that align with best practices at the national level.

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Empowering Tomorrow's Male Nurses: Introducing MINDSET at LCON

Men Invested in Nursing Development, Support, Education, and Training (MINDSET) is a student nursing organization within the Loewenberg College of Nursing that offers guidance and mentorship to its members as they navigate their nursing studies.

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Task Force Established to Revise College's Promotion and Tenure Policy

To enhance the effectiveness and quality of the University of Memphis Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON), Dean Linda Haddad has formed a task force to undertake a comprehensive review and revision of the college's Promotion and Tenure Policy and Criteria.

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Charting a Course for Excellence: LCON's Visionary Strategic Plan Unveiled

In 2022, LCON initiated the process of crafting a new college strategic plan, following the completion of the University of Memphis's ASCEND Strategic Plan.

LCON appoints Dr. Brad Harrell as Interim Associate Dean for Academic Programs

Effective July 1, 2023 Dr. Harrell will serve in the role of Interim Associate Dean of Academic Programs.