Nursing Alumni
Alumni Advisory Council
The Alumni Advisory Council primarily serves the College of Nursing to support its vision:
To be nationally recognized as leaders in health, addressing the needs of diverse populations.
Members:
- Educate others about and actively advocate for the school and its academic programs, community service and outreach, and research.
- Increase public relations and visibility of Auburn Nursing.
- Build a communication network among alumni about events including alumni activities, alumni-student initiatives, and school events where volunteers are needed.
- Attend two yearly meetings (spring semester and fall semester)
- Serve as a link between the school and alumni.
- Nominate alumni for school as well as university awards, among them the College of Nursing’s Distinguished Alumna/us Award and the Auburn Alumni Association Black Alumni Achievement Award.
- Offer recommendations and/or make introductions for the lecture series, continuing education, and lifelong learning.
- Actively support alumni engagement
- Help build philanthropic gifts to the College of Nursing.
Distinguished Alumni
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI
2025 Dare Meeks
2024 Jennifer Dawson Terry
2023 Karen Harris Frith
2022 Jody White '02
2021 Capt. Ron Fancher '97
2021 Brooke Bailey '99
2020 Dr. Terri Allison '85
2019 Dr. Caralise Hunt '91
2018 Amy F. Brandon '05
2017 Annie Vosel '81
2016 Dr. Jan McAlister '91
2015 Dr. Susan Holmes '81
2014 Joel Shumaker '05
2013 Claudia Henderson '83
2012 Candace Mangum '99
2011 Dr. Angela Green '86
2010 Laura Moore '83
2009 Nancy Meisler '81
Featured Alumni
Outstanding Alumna Award
Jennifer Dawson Terry, (’97 & ’10) is the director of education services and workforce development at East Alabama Health (EAH), Opelika, AL
Mrs. Terry received an undergraduate degree in nursing from Auburn University in 1997 and started her nursing career as a cardiac nurse at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC). In coaching students and new employees, she realized her passion for teaching, and moved into the role of an unit-based educator in 2005. She achieved her Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification in 2006, and in 2010 graduated from Auburn University with a master’s degree in nursing education. She also became certified as an advanced practice nurse (Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist). During her time as Manager of Education (2012–2020), she co-presented at a national conference, achieved her nursing professional development certification (NPD-C), implemented a nurse residency program, served on Leadership Lee County (2019-2020), and played an integral role in COVID-19 response at EAH.
Since 2020, as director of education services and workforce development at EAH, she oversees the training and development of over 3,800 employees. Serving on local high school and nursing program advisory committees, she collaborates to develop innovative programs that recruit, retain, and expand enrollment of students in programs of nursing and other healthcare-related fields. She currently serves on the CentralAlabamaWorks! region 5 workforce council and board of directors. Appointed by Governor Kay Ivey in 2023, she is also a board director for region 5 Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act. Under her direction, EAH was awarded over $1 million through the Alabama Workforce Stabilization program, a post-COVID recovery grant. She implemented and currently oversees a successful registered nurse apprenticeship program at EAH through partnerships with the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship and five local nursing programs, including AUCON — the first 4-year nursing program in the state to participate in an apprenticeship program.
Outside of work, she is a part-time chauffeur for her 12-year-old son, Dawson, a duty she enjoys sharing with her husband of 26 years, Brian. They also have two daughters, Audrey and Jenna, who are both in college. Having a strong Christian faith, she acknowledges God’s guidance and blessings in her life, finds purpose in her work, and strives to be an example of Christ. She serves as a church clerk, 5th and 6th grade Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school photographer, and has volunteered in various capacities such as painting/construction work for Fuller Center for Housing, landscaping for Our House, grant reviewer for CentralAlabamaWorks!, and volunteer nurse on Opelika’s Neighborhood Mobile Wellness Clinic. She enjoys gardening, watching baseball, and doing anything outdoors.
"To all the new graduates here today, Mrs. Terry serves as a shining example of what can be accomplished when you dare to dream and dedicate yourself to serving others,” said Dean Newschwander, as he presented the award to Jennifer Dawson Terry. “May her story inspire each of you to pursue your own dreams with unwavering determination and to always seek opportunities to serve and uplift those around you."
Congratulations to Jennifer Dawson Terry, AUCON’s 2024 Outstanding Alumna!
Black Alumni Achievement Award
Distinguished Black Alumnus Award
Auburn University’s Black Alumni Awards 2025 recognized recipients for outstanding achievements in their professional lives, personal integrity and stature and service to the university. Mary Shenita Key ‘91, was selected from the College of Nursing for her outstanding achievements. Key, from Seale, Ala., co-owns Pannie-George’s Kitchen,a community restaurant in Auburn and Montgomery. Key’s interest in medicine began in childhood when she cared for injured animals. Motivated by the dedication of nurses she witnessed during a hospital visit, she decided to pursue a career in nursing instead of becoming a doctor.
She credits Auburn for building her nursing foundation, giving her the knowledge and confidence to excel independently while remaining open to new challenges. She recalls a significant challenge: declining to administer an unregulated dosage of medication that she deemed unsafe for a patient. After informing the physician of her decision, Key notified her manager. Her advocacy earned her the physician’s respect.
Her greatest achievement is making a positive impact on patients’ lives each day. Patients and their families often express their gratitude, some even visiting her at Pannie George’s. Her career is distinguished by numerous notable accomplishments. She co-founded the Theta Phi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi nursing sorority at Auburn and has been a cardiology RN at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) for over 26 years. At EAMC, she mentored senior nursing students, taught Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and reached Clinical Ladder IV at EAMC with her research on pacemaker pocket infections.
“Nursing is a commitment to duty that can be both challenging and fulfilling,” Key said. She advises nurses to care for the whole person, including providing advocacy, spiritual support, and empathetic listening. “Know your patients well to provide the best care, continually seek knowledge to improve your care, and remain receptive to learning,” she concluded.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Mary Shenita Key for her recognition and commendable role as an exemplary
model for future nurses.
Previous Winners of the Black Alumnus Award
2024 Bettina Days Wright
2023 Beaonica Snead Fields
2022 Latricia "Vonnie" Stone
2020 Colonel Simona Black
2019 Keith E. Mathews
2017 Christopher Lee Martin
2016 George Sneed
Connect With The College
PURSUE AN ADVANCED DEGREE
SERVE AS A CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR
Christopher Martin
334-844-6795
ENHANCE YOUR ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
Amy Buck
334-844-6532