On Saturday, April 23, 2017, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing's Alumni Association hosted its 25th and 50th reunions for the 1992 and 1967 graduating classes. On Saturday, April 23, 2017, Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing hosted its 25th and 50th reunions for the 1992 and 1967 graduating classes. Each year, the Barnes-Jewish College Alumni Association holds this special event, and this year’s reunion took place in conjunction with the school’s spring commencement ceremony.
Goldfarb puts a high priority on alumni relations and the school’s Alumni Association takes great pride in planning these annual reunions. The event creates a tremendous opportunity for alumni to come back together to reconnect, reminisce and recall the steps they took on their path to a career in nursing. Likewise, the reunions serve as the perfect platform to recognize alumni’s contributions to the school and to the nursing profession.
“It truly was a special event as the annual reunions are an important time for us to honor our alumni,” said June Cowell-Oates, director of alumni affairs at Goldfarb. “We strive to maintain close contact with our alumni and recognize them for their achievements, and these events also give alumni the chance to renew their relationships with their fellow classmates.”
Karen Bess, who celebrated her 50th reunion, was excited to attend another Alumni Association event, particularly one celebrating this milestone. After graduation, Bess worked at Barnes-Jewish Hospital where she would stay for 48 years, retiring in 2014. She is still close to many of her nursing school classmates, and knowing how special the alumni reunions are, she was eager to attend and encourage her former classmates to join her.
“My favorite part of the event was visiting with classmates, but truly every aspect of the program was wonderful,” said Bess. “I loved reliving our graduation experience as we watched the spring class of 2017 graduate. It was inspiring to see the new grads so excited and remembering what that day was like 50 years ago.”
Denise Chastain, who celebrated her 25th reunion, said her favorite part of the reunion was the memory book. “I loved reading each person's story of what their life and career has been over the years. It was nice to see those same people – in real life – and to learn more about them.” Chastain plans to attend future events hosted by the Alumni Association.
Christy Hays also celebrated her 25th reunion and wanted to attend the reunion to see people from her graduating class. Hays, who is a nurse at Barnes Jewish Hospital said, “My favorite part of the reunion was simply the catching up and talking in the foyer of the school.”
During the spring commencement ceremony, both reunion classes sat together and were recognized as Goldfarb’s special guests. Following commencement, the alumni returned to the school for the annual medallion ceremony and luncheon. Dr. Gretchen Drinkard, PhD, RN, interim dean, spoke at the event where every alumnus received a medallion featuring the college seal on the front and their graduation year on the back.
To learn more about the Barnes-Jewish Alumni Association and the events they host throughout the year, visit www.barnesjewishcollege.edu/Alumni.
To see pictures from this year's reunion, and from other events, visit www.barnesjewishcollege.edu/Departments/Alumni-Affairs/Photos.
