Dudney, Fregoso and the Jessica Colter Memorial Scholarship Foundation recognized for their impact on nursing education, healthcare and student success

The East Tennessee State University College of Nursing recently recognized three individuals and organizations whose leadership, service and philanthropy have made a lasting impact on nursing education, healthcare and student success during the college's inaugural Legacy Awards ceremony.

Held in the ballroom of the James and Nellie Brinkley Center, the event brought together approximately 150 alumni, faculty, staff, students, donors and community supporters to celebrate the college's legacy while investing in its future.

"This inaugural event allowed us to recognize remarkable individuals who embody the values of the ETSU College of Nursing," said Dr. Dena Evans, dean of the college. "Their contributions have strengthened our profession, created opportunities for students and improved the lives of countless individuals throughout our region and beyond."

In addition to recognizing award recipients, the event brought together College of Nursing donors and student scholarship recipients for an evening of connection and celebration. Donors had the opportunity to meet students whose educational journeys have been supported through scholarships and hear firsthand how philanthropic support has shaped their academic and professional paths. The conversations offered a powerful reminder of the direct impact donor generosity has on the future of nursing.

The Pinnacle Award was presented to Gloria Dudney, a 1993 graduate of the ETSU College of Nursing, whose career has focused on maternal-child nursing and lactation services.

After graduating magna cum laude, Dudney has spent more than three decades serving patients and advocating for breastfeeding support. She launched the region's first outpatient lactation clinic in 2004 and currently serves as director of lactation services for ETSU Health, where she has pioneered innovative prenatal lactation programs that benefit patients while creating educational opportunities for nursing students, medical students and resident physicians.

A recognized leader in her field, Dudney recently helped secure Medicaid coverage for lactation services in Tennessee and serves on statewide initiatives focused on lactation workforce development.

The Trailblazer Award was presented to Aaron Fregoso, a first-generation college graduate from Unicoi County whose commitment to service and student success began during his time at the university.

As a student, Fregoso helped establish the College of Nursing's Supplemental Instruction Leader program, served as a peer mentor and completed an internship with the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center. Following graduation, he spent a year serving as a missionary with Cru Campus Ministry before beginning his nursing career. Today, he serves as a nursing resident at the  James H. Quillen VA Medical Center at Mountain Home and hopes to continue mentoring and preparing future nurses for careers of service and compassion.

The Catalyst Award was presented to the Jessica Colter Memorial Scholarship Foundation in recognition of its commitment to supporting nursing students and expanding educational opportunities through philanthropy.

Led by foundation president Jennifer Gass, the organization was established in memory of Jessica Nicole Colter. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to nursing students while building partnerships that support future healthcare professionals. The foundation has also pledged  $250,000 to support the Jessica Colter Academic Student Success Center at ETSU, furthering its commitment to student success and helping ensure Colter's legacy continues to create opportunities for future generations of nurses.

The inaugural Legacy Awards were created to recognize individuals and organizations whose contributions have advanced the College of Nursing's mission while inspiring future generations of nurses. Evans said the event will become a lasting tradition that celebrates excellence, philanthropy and service while strengthening connections among the college's students, alumni, donors and friends.

"The stories shared throughout the evening reflected the compassion, excellence and dedication that define nursing," Evans said. "We are proud to honor these recipients and grateful for the example they set for our students and our profession."