10/6/2016

The fourth annual Notes for Nurses, benefiting Cumberland University’s Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions, was held Sept. 24, 2016, at the Lebanon Municipal Airport. Approximately $70,000 was raised, including $50,000 in cash, pledges and sponsorships, and $20,000 in donated goods and services.

Nearly 400 guests were in attendance who heard live performances by hit singer-songwriters Brennin Hunt, Stephanie Urbina Jones and Jess Leary. Dinner was catered by Blue Moon BBQ, and there was a live and silent auction to entice the guests. Auctioneer Mike Walker of Century 21 West Main Realty & Auction successfully sold a Gibson guitar autographed by the performers, and a houseboat charter donated by Ken Doran, owner of Center Hill Houseboat Rental & Charter. A pre-event VIP reception sponsored by the family of Dr. Joe F. Bryant was held at the Savage Leasing hangar with more than 75 guests who were able to mingle with the performers.

The funds raised from Notes for Nurses will help the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions complete its simulation lab with the purchase of a new adult simulator (“Sim Man”). A.J. Donadio, assistant professor of nursing at CU, was at the event demonstrating the “Sim Man” to curious guests. Trudy Wright and Beth Chatham, both assistant professors of nursing at CU, asked the crowd to make a pledge or donation to help the students of the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions at CU. A portion of the funds also will be directed to the Nursing Advisory Council Nursing Scholarship which aids students seeking a second degree in nursing.

Brennin Hunt, Pat Bryant, Dr. Paul C. Stumb, Dr. Cristy Stumb, Jess Leary, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Beth McCall, Laura Honeyman and Kody Honeyman at the VIP Reception.	Scott Boland, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Brennin Hunt and Jess Leary	Notes for Nurses committee members for 2016: Dr. Cristy Stumb, Dr. Teresa Larkins, Beth McCall, Dr. Carole Ann Bach, Heather Bay, Dr. Ronda Landers, Kristin Kannon, MJ Lucas, and Cheryl Bockstruck. Not pictured: Melissa Littman, Pam McAteer, Maggie Lea, Tim Wilmore, Maggie Keil, Dr. Joy Kimbrell, and Trudy Wright.

Beth McCall, RN, BSN, founder and chairperson for Notes for Nurses, said to the crowd: “About four years ago, when we created this event, we wanted to network with the community to raise money for the School of Nursing. We have raised about $200,000 in total so far for scholarships and simulation equipment. We have been good stewards of the monies raised and we have spent the money wisely.”

In addition to the event committee, 30 Cumberland University nursing students were on hand to help run the event. CU’s Kappa Sigma fraternity and boy scouts from Troop 643 volunteered to handle the parking. Major sponsors for the event were D.T. McCall & Sons, Tennova, The Family of Dr. Joe F. Bryant, Direct Flight Solutions, Serenity Dental, Powell & Meadows Insurance, The Tennessean and WANT 98.9 FM / WCOR AM 1490.

For more information about the Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions, visit www.cumberland.edu/nursing.  Be sure to bookmark www.cumberland.edu/notesfornurses for updates on future happenings!