Lamplighter Scholarship Event Recognizes the Next Generation of Nurses
Friday, Jan 30, 2026
The Eleventh Annual Lamplighter Scholarship Event was held on January 29, 2026, in the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing Atrium. This year, more than 90 first-year BSN students received Lamplighter Scholarships made possible through the generous support of the individual contributors and sponsors. The Lamplighter scholarship symbolizes the light that nurses become to their patients who appreciate the care and compassion they receive.
Melissa Emerson, chair of the college’s Advisory Board and chief operating officer of Bethesda Hospital East & West, emceed the program.
Dean Cameron Duncan welcomed attendees and addressed the Lamplighter scholars, “I want to personally thank our nursing students for choosing a profession that is not only deeply rewarding, but one that continually improves the quality of care through practice, research, and scholarship.”
In her remarks to the Lamplighter scholars, special guest speaker Dr. Katherine J. Molinet Drum, a Florida Atlantic University alumna and retired DNP/FNP, shared an inspiration message, “Nursing is not only about the skills you master or the knowledge that you gain, but nursing is about the presence – being the steady light for someone who might be frightened, hurting or scared.”
Lamplighter recipient and Freshman Direct Admit student, Sarah Green, shared her gratitude, “Opportunities are hard to come by sometimes, but the people at Florida Atlantic and the community that supports this program are what grants many of us an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Sonia Caballero, another Lamplighter scholar and Accelerated BSN student from the Davie campus expressed, “I began a journey of following the path to being the most helpful person I could be to others, in any way that I could. I want to thank everyone that has made today and this scholarship possible. It's a gift and a privilege to attend a university that cares so much about their students, thank you.”
To view more photos from this year's Lamplighter event, please visit our Flickr page.