The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association recognized three outstanding alumni for their achievements in the following areas: Distinguished Alumni Achievement, Outstanding Recent Graduate and Alumni Service.
Recognized for their service to the university and significant contributions in their respective career fields were Bonnie W. Camp, PhD, MD (Class of ’49, Denver, Colorado), Jennifer Suess (’06, of Washington, D.C.) and Phillip “Flapp” Cockrell, PhD, (’03, of Columbus, Ohio).
The MUWAA Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Bonnie Camp, who spent her career as an educator, research scientist and doctor. She graduated from The W with a Bachelor of Science in psychology, and went on to obtain her doctorate in clinical psychology and became a medical doctor in pediatrics in 1965.
She was a longtime member of the medical faculty of the University of Colorado, where she was awarded the title professor emeritus in 1993. Camp is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychological Association and the Society for Pediatric Research, among others.
She remains active in research in the areas of child development and is widely published in peer-reviewed journals. In 2017, Camp received the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s highest alumni honor, the Silver and Gold Award. It recognizes excellence in humanitarianism, citizenship and professionalism for outstanding service to the community and contributions to the art and science of medicine.
Jennifer Suess
The 2019 Outstanding Recent Graduate Award was presented to Jennifer Suess. She received her undergraduate nursing degree from The W, going on to obtain her master’s in clinical nurse leadership. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in nurse leadership at Yale University.
After finding her passion as a high-risk labor and delivery nurse, Suess spent six years expanding her clinical and cultural competence by working as a travel nurse. In 2012, she made Washington, D.C., her home, becoming a perinatal patient safety nurse at Sibley Memorial Hospital/Johns Hopkins Health. She implemented best practices which ultimately led to a reduction in maternal morbidity and mortality. As a labor and delivery nurse manager, Suess managed a new tower move and substantial growth in delivery volume while working with leadership to improve inpatient scores. Her work led the team to be recognized with the 2018 Press Ganey Success Story Team Award.
With over 14 years of progressive nursing leadership experience, focusing on high quality obstetric and neonatal care, she now serves as director of obstetrics. She has a passion for leading with a strong focus on leveraging interdisciplinary teams to improve patient safety, quality and experience.
Phillip Cockrell
Phillip Cockrell was awarded the 2020 MUWAA Alumni Service Award. After graduating with a degree in family studies, Cockrell has served both his community, his industry and his alma mater. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Florida International University and a doctorate in urban higher education from Jackson State University.
He currently serves as vice president for student affairs at the University of Toledo, where he is responsible for the conduct, counseling and advocacy of its students, including student life.
Known as “Dr. Flapp,” to his students, Cockrell has served as a professor, adviser, adjunct faculty member and guest lecturer to students across the country. Through serving on the American College Personnel Association-Pan African Network board, he has advocated for students from underrepresented populations. In 2019, he was honored with the Advocacy Award from the American College Personnel Association.
The MUWAA exists to support and promote the mission of The W while providing alumni engagement opportunities. Any former student who has completed at least 12 semester hours at the university and who has made an annual contribution to the MUW Foundation is an active member eligible to vote and hold office for the year. Visit the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association website at longblueline.muw.edu.
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