Academic Nurse The - Columbia University School of Nursing

16 • Academic Nurse
Shannon
Harper, MS
shannon harper didn’t have any idea
that he’d been chosen to receive
a graduation award. There was no
nomination to tip him off. nobody
gave him the proverbial “heads
up.” he arrived at this year’s graduation
ceremony believing that the
only award he would receive was his
degree.
but before diplomas were handed
out, the faculty announced the
annual student awards. “did they
just call my name,” mr. harper said,
recalling how he turned to his friend
seated next to him. “my friend
looked at me and said ‘yeah, get up
guy!’ and that’s when it sank in that
it was me.” The anesthesia student
from bridgewater, virginia, had just
been named the recipient of the
Alumni Association Award. each year
a graduate is honored who demonstrates
a commitment to developing
alumni support for the school.
The surprise announcement itself
had an effect on mr. harper. “i see
the award as a tremendous honor
and i am proud to be part of a distinguished
group of alumni.”
mr. harper’s initial professional interests
lay far afield from patient care.
he earned two degrees in chemical
engineering: a bachelor of science
from virginia Tech and a master
of science from the university of
virginia. With his engineering background,
he secured a position with
An ecstatic Shannon
Harper celebrates with
his parents James and
Janice Harper
a pharmaceutical company in new
Jersey.
When a sports injury landed him in
the hospital, he had an opportunity
to see nurses at work. he started
thinking about a career change and
decided to volunteer as patient
advocate at newyork Presbyterian
hospital’s emergency room to get a
feel for patient care.
“i served as a liaison between the
staff and the patient. sometimes it
involved getting an extra pillow or
just talking to the patient. my time
there gave me good exposure to
the hospital and convinced me that
i could feel comfortable in that environment.”
The volunteer experience at the
manhattan hospital had an effect—a
year and half later mr. harper
enrolled at the school of nursing.
volunteering seems to be a steady
way of life with mr. harper. Last fall,
he helped to man the telephones
for an alumni phonathon seeking
support for the school’s annual
fund. he also lent a hand with the
Anesthesia Program’s recruitment
drive and served on the welcoming
committee for new students.
“shannon is a thoughtful through
and through,” said Laura Ardizzone,
dnP, Assistant Professor of Clinical
nursing in the Anesthesia Program.
“i had the opportunity to mentor him
through the program and i know he is
going to be a fine CrnA.”
This summer mr. harper is completing
his clinical education at memorial
sloan Kettering Cancer Center. he
will take time to study for his board
examination scheduled for later this
fall. he plans to stay in the new york
metro area and remain involved with
the Alumni Association.
“The support of alumni has helped
me complete this program and i
definitely plan to stay active in the
Association,” he said. “i really want
to pass it along.”