Caroline Frederick from Helen and Robert Seward from Athens received two new awards presented by the School of Nursing and Health Sciences at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College at the recent pinning ceremony in Howard Auditorium on the ABAC campus.

Dr. Jaibun Earp, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, said the two awards were presented for the first time in the 52-year history of the program.  Frederick received the Carillion Award, which goes to the student with the highest-grade point average among the graduates.

Seward received the Clinical Excellence Award, which recognizes a student who demonstrated excellence in evidence-based clinical practice and patient-centered care.

“This award further exemplifies a student who creatively combined the caring and curing of nursing science by restoring patients back to dynamic equilibrium in clinical settings,” Earp said.

Allison Spirit Award winners recognized at the ceremony were Mary Brant from Valdosta at the associate degree level, and Rebekah Tucker from Valdosta at the bachelor’s degree level.  This award honors the memory of Lisa Purvis Allison who began the nursing program at ABAC as a single parent of two children following the accidental death of her husband.

Despite being diagnosed with colon cancer during her final year in the nursing program, Allison completed her degree, passed her state board exam, and became a Registered Nurse.  She passed away soon after accomplishing her goal.  A scholarship fund in her honor was developed to assist students in fulfilling their dreams of becoming nurses.

A total of 28 students received associate degree pins, and eight students received bachelor’s degree pins.  Keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Jerry Baker, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at ABAC.