Alumni Events

Alumni Day Celebration – Friday, October 17, 2025

  • The Alumni Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce plans are in place for Alumni Day 2025. Mark your calendar for a full day of events on Friday, October 17, 2025. Click HERE to register for Alumni Day
  • The Morning Program will be held in the Nursing Building (Building 15 on the campus map)
  • The Annual Awards Luncheon will be held in the Sheffield Student Center (Building 13 on the campus map). Click here for map
  • Click HERE to see a list of the 2025 award recipients

Alumni Day Morning Program

7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Registration and Morning Coffee – Room 137, College of Nursing
Begin moving upstairs to Room 320, College of Nursing at 8:10 am

8:30 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions

8:40 a.m. – 9:10 a.m.
Historical and Current Perspectives on Psych/Mental Health in Georgia
Stephanie L. Bennett, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Clinical Assistant Professor & Psychiatric-Mental Health Lead, GBCN
Lana Chase, RN, PMHCNS-BC,  Associate Professor Emerita, GBCN

9:10 a.m. – 9:55 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Psych/Mental Health Care Treatment Modalities and Resources
Lana Chase, RN, PMHCNS-BC, Associate Professor Emerita, GBCN
Rachael Hawkins-Tighe, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Adjunct Clinical Faculty, GBCN
Andra Opalinski, PhD, CPNP-PC, PMHS, NC-BS, Associate Professor, GBCN

9:55 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Meet and Greet Break
Coffee Service on 3rd Floor Balcony

10:15-10:25 a.m.
Greeting from GBANS

10:25 a.m. – 10:55a.m.
Understanding Menopause and Mental Health
Tara Bertulfo, DNP, WHNP, CNE, Clinical Associate Professor, GBCN

10:55 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Solutions to Gaps in Psych/Mental Health Care
Stephanie L. Bennett, DNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Clinical Assistant Professor & Psychiatric-Mental Health Lead, GBCN
Humberto Reinoso, PhD, FNP-BC, ENP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Associate Professor & Nurse Practitioner Coordinator, GBCN

11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. – Summary/Evaluations/Instructions/Adjourn

Classes of 1975 Reunion Dinner – Thursday, October 16, 2025

  • There will be a Reunion Dinner for the Classes of 1975 on Thursday, October 16. Click HERE to register for the 50th Reunion Dinner.

We look forward to having our cherished alumni back on campus once again!

For questions or more information on the Georgia Baptist College of Nursing Alumni Association, contact Paul McClendon at McClendon_PG@mercer.edu or by telephone at (678) 547-6453.

Alumni Day