‘Hoos Coming to Dinner
’Hoos Coming to Dinner is an annual event for all UVA Nursing alumni. The goal is to help Nursing alumni feel more connected with the School and with each other – no matter where they are!
The idea is this: During the same period of time once each year, UVA Nursing alumni from anywhere around the world organize and host small dinner parties or other social/networking events attended by their fellow graduates. Nurses who shared the UVA experience come together in a friendly environment for good food, conversation, and Wahoo camaraderie.
’Hoos Coming to Dinner is managed by the Alumni and Development Office in collaboration with the School of Nursing Alumni Association. The event is guided by a ’Hoos Coming to Dinner Planning Committee. If you are interested in serving on the committee or have suggestions for future events, please e-mail nursing-alumni@virginia.edu.
In 2010, 'Hoos Coming to Dinner Moves to Spring
Traditionally held in the fall, 'Hoos Coming to Dinner will be moving to spring – so that our events can also help us celebrate Mr. Jefferson’s birthday on April 13th!
You can join in celebrating our founder by hosting a “birthday dinner.” Well, it might be dinner – but it could be lunch, cocktails, or even breakfast! It can be anything from a formal hosted dinner around your dining table, to a potluck hot dog roast around a campfire, to a dutch-treat happy hour at a local bar and grille, to a coffee and dessert reception in a conference room at the hospital where you work.
The idea is that you organize a group gathering in your location of choice between April 13th and 18th, and you’ll know that during that same week, your fellow alums are celebrating as well. You (and any co-hosts you invite to join you) handle the location and any local logistics. You may choose to incur any or all expenses for your gathering, or you can decide how you want your attendees to pitch in (such as dutch-treat or potluck meals). The Alumni office will help you with the invitation process and some UVA materials and prizes for your group.
The Planning Committee for this year’s ’Hoos Coming to Dinner is also considering ways to add a community service component to these activities – in the spirit of Cavaliers Care, the annual project shared by UVA Clubs in the month of April. Stay tuned for more details.
To get more information about hosting an event, or to indicate your interest in attending a gathering in your area, please e-mail nursing-alumni@virginia.edu, or call Director of Alumni Affairs Julie Goodlick, (434) 924-0084. If you’re ready right now to sign up as a host, you can fill out this online form.
Thanks to Last Year's Hosts!
October 23, 2008, was the date of the third annual ‘Hoos Coming to Dinner event.
Nearly 175 Nursing alumni in 18 different cities around the country participated.
Our thanks to our wonderful hosts from last year:
In Virginia. . .
Charlottesville 1: Valerie Kirkman (BSN '75)
Charlottesville 2: Sharon Cumby Fay (BSN '76, MSN '80) and Debbie Wisinski Schetlick (BSN '76)
Gordonsville: Gail Parrish (BSN '08) and Melanie Fastabend (BSN '08)
Virginia Beach 1: Patricia Booth Woodard (BSN '69)
Virginia Beach 2: Ellen Shaid Deppe (BSN '75) and Kathy Mordecai (BSN '79)
Radford: Debby Ring (BSN '69) and Dianne Lacy (BSN '80)
Richmond 1: Amanda Cunningham (BSN '05) and Mary Elizabeth Keegan (BSN '05)
Richmond Cathi Smigelski (MSN '92) and Donna Mattson (BSN '98)
Northern Virginia - Inova Fairfax Hospital: Fran Vasaly (BSN '69) and her fellow members of the Alumni Council's Scholarships Committee
Northern Virginia - Catharpin: Kimberly Van Duyse-Atkin (BSN '79) and Jan Connors Dagenhart (BSN '78)
Northern Virginia - Fairfax: Casey Finn (BSN '76) and Renee Ernst Norris (BSN '76)
Northern Virginia - Springfield: Julianna Verser Bachmann (BSN '86)
In other parts of the country. . . .
Atlanta: Laura Thigpen (BSN '68) and Carey Waters (BSN '99)
Baltimore: Sue Ramzy (BSN '74)
Cary, NC: Gail Will (BSN '80)
Charlotte, NC: Lisa Kelley (BSN '99)
Chicago: Kathryn Clarke (BSN '73)
Columbia, SC: Jeannie Stone Hurlbert (BSN '85)
Denver: Barbara Weis Malone (BSN '77)
Minneapolis/St. Paul: Carol Amis (BSN '81)
Nashville: Katherine Berschback Cooper (BSN '00)
St. Louis: Wendy Wolf (MSN '78)
More Information:
- Host/Co-host Registration - Register as a host online by February 1, 2010.
- Currently being updated / coming soon:
- Host/Co-host Job Description
- Suggestions for Hosts - ideas for hosting a successful event.
- Host/Co-host Job Description
- Questions? Contact Director of Alumni Affairs Julie Goodlick, (434) 924-0084