Graduating nursing students have the opportunity to connect with each other and faculty, while connecting with alumni as they transition from nursing student to their nursing careers. Not long ago, Goldfarb School of Nursing’s 360 Social program was an idea suggested by a current student. Now it has become a popular, well-attended tradition enjoyed by many.
In spring 2015, Mia Stefani, now a graduate of the school, was student council president when she shared her idea for a new Goldfarb tradition. Stefani’s vision was for all graduating nursing school students to have the opportunity to connect with each another and reconnect with recent alumni and faculty as they transitioned from nursing students to their nursing careers.
“Mia presented her idea to the Barnes-Jewish College Alumni Association, and we loved it and made it happen by creating the 360 Social,” said June Cowell-Oates, Ed.D., LPC, LCSW, CEAP, director of alumni affairs and program officer for the department of student affairs and diversity. “Now the 360 Social has become a tradition that graduating students look forward to and something recent alumni can also attend.”
Each term, all graduating students are invited to attend the 360 Social that takes place on the school’s Duncan campus site. In addition to food, gifts and fun, graduates have the opportunity to reminisce about their time as students while they connect and plan for the next phase in their nursing careers. The event is open to all graduates, faculty and alumni who have graduated within the last five years. One of the most poignant moments of this rite of passage takes place when new graduates are given a Barnes-Jewish College Alumni Association license plate frame for their car.
The 360 Social takes place each term before graduation. Check out the College's online calendar for specific dates. For more information about this event, other upcoming alumni events or the Barnes-Jewish College Alumni Association, contact Dr. June Cowell-Oates at june.cowell-oates@bjc.org or 314.454.8694.
