The UNC School of Nursing hosted its annual Carrington Society Dinner on Thursday, April 18, 2024, to offer thanks to the donors who so generously provide scholarships and other resources to meet the needs and advance the mission of Carolina Nursing.
Among the dinner attendees were Carolina Nursing’s most loyal donors and alumni, as well as the remarkable students who have benefited from their support. Held each spring, this fun-filled evening provides donors and scholarship recipients a unique opportunity to connect over their shared commitment to Carolina and the nursing profession.
After dinner was served, Rachel Wixted, a senior nursing student and recipient of the Barbara Hedberg Self Nursing Scholarship, reflected on her time at Carolina and extended her heartfelt gratitude to the donors, whose support has profoundly impacted the Carolina Nursing community.
As an out-of-state student, I can attest to how significant your contributions have been in easing the financial burden of going to such an amazing program.
Rachel Wixted, Senior Carolina Nursing Student
Rachel’s complete remarks from the evening are included below, and we invite you to relive the highlights of the Carrington Society Dinner by visiting the event’s photo gallery.
Speech by Carolina Nursing student Rachel Wixted, '24
Hello everyone! My name is Rachel Wixted, and I am a senior nursing student at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Nursing. It is quite soon that I will no longer be able to say that, as I will earn the new proud title of Carolina Nursing alumni, like many of you in this room.
I feel very honored and blessed to be here tonight, as a speaker, as well as a recipient of the Barbara Hedberg Self Nursing Scholarship, which honors Mrs. Hedberg Self, graduate of the third class of BSN students and talented designer of the Carolina Nursing pin. Her husband, Bill, has also served as President on the Board and received the 2022 Carolina Nursing Honorary Alumni Award. Earlier this month, my peer Rebecca and I were lucky enough to meet them in-person for tacos and ice cream (awesome…I know), during which it was evident the true leadership, passion, support, and kindness that they hold.
To all the donors here tonight who also display these honorable qualities:
I want to remind you just how impactful your contributions have been on the lives of our students embarking on their journey as future nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and so on. From learning beside them for the past few years, I know that this group of intelligent, compassionate, driven, and innovative students is a worthy investment. With access to new technologies, platforms, and evidence-based learning styles to improve critical judgment, I know that the quality and safety of healthcare will continue to advance in ways we didn’t know possible.
As an out-of-state student, I can attest to how significant your contributions have been in easing the financial burden of going to such an amazing program. In doing so, I have been able to participate in hundreds of clinical hours to develop foundational nursing skills, learn among other professions as an Interprofessional Education and Practice Distinguished Scholar, and develop leadership skills through serving as Vice President of the Association of Nursing Students for both the school and the state, through which I was also able to attend national conferences in NY and CA. It is with the utmost sincerity that I thank you for helping to make these opportunities possible.
To the School of Nursing Faculty & Staff:
I never knew how powerful of an impact professors could have on my life until I entered Fox Auditorium in Carrington Hall. I can say with certainty that every single one of them has their students' backs and ensures that they succeed in this program. I truly see all of you as mentors and leaders and feel empowered and inspired by the knowledge that you have given us.
Like you told us very early on, you are here at Carolina for a reason. And even if it might not always be apparent, know that you made a difference in our lives because many of you put in the extra hours to further our learning, supported our dreams of going into certain specialties, heard our feedback & made systems improvements, and believed in us when we didn’t always believe in ourselves.
To my Fellow Students:
It's hard to believe that in less than a month we will earn our BSN, when it feels like just yesterday we were terrified to forget one of the six pairs of gloves in the Foley catheter check-off. I remember being blown away by the intelligence and initiative many of you took from an early start. Now just weeks away from graduation, I see before me a group of capable, confident future leaders that I know will make a difference in the lives of many in years to come. With high aspirations for climbing the clinical ladder and emotional intelligence evident in the way you have cared for clinical patients, I know that each and every one of you will make Carolina proud in the contributions you make.
To all in this room tonight, know that you are here for a reason and that you made a difference in someone’s life in the path that you chose. I say this with confidence because even you listening to me right now has made a difference in mine. Once a Tarheel, always a Tarheel. Thank you.
To relive the highlights of the Carrington Society Dinner and experience the joyous moments shared by all, visit the event's photo gallery.