UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Megan Hale and Heather Orr, Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing students, have been selected as the college’s student marshals for the spring 2023 semester.
Hale, an exemplary student from York, Pennsylvania, has made the dean's list every semester and has received various awards and scholarships. She was a recipient of both the Fulton Scholarship and the Schumacher Trustee Scholarship in 2022, and the President Sparks Award in 2021.
Throughout her four years, Hale is most proud of her involvement with Penn State THON.
“My favorite memory at Penn State has been participating as a captain in THON for the past two years,” she said. “I will forever cherish all the moments of joy and laughter during the 46 hours of THON Weekend. Raising $15 million in one year is remarkable and something I will remember long after graduation.”
Hale played a vital role in making THON a success year after year. In her first and second years, she served as a Dancer Relations Committee member, which translated into leadership roles in her final two years. She was a dancer relations captain in her third year and concluded her final THON taking on the role as an entertainment captain and the THON College of Nursing Medical Team coordinator.
In addition to her commitment to extracurriculars, she also is a dedicated student.
“Megan is a very hardworking student who is always eager to learn,” said Sierra Funk, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing assistant teaching professor. “She is a bright, critical thinker that serves as a role model to her peers. Megan’s commitment to the nursing profession coupled with her patient care expertise make her an asset to the profession. I firmly believe she will make a lasting contribution to the armed forces and to the organizations she chooses to work for in the future. It has been a pleasure knowing her and watching her blossom.”
Hale will not only receive a bachelor of science in nursing, but she will graduate as an Army officer and commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve Nurse Corps. While serving as a reservist, she plans to pursue a career in pediatric nursing at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Heather Orr, of Littleton, Colorado, has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the President’s Freshman Award, the President Sparks Award, the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, the Bunton-Waller Scholarship, the Penn State Nursing Alumni Trustee Scholarship, and many others.
Orr holds minors in human development and family studies, has maintained a 4.0 GPA, and earned her spot on the dean’s list every semester. She is involved in the Student Nurses Association, and National Student Nurses Association, and previously served on the Dancer Relations Committee for Penn State THON.
“Heather is an exceptional student, as well as a teaching assistant,” said Mary Anne Ventura, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing instructor. “She demonstrated natural caring qualities that genuinely come from the heart, which one cannot teach. When I think of Heather, I will always think of one who provides the utmost individualized person-centered care, even with the most difficult resident or patient. She is so very deserving of the student marshal recognition and is destined to make a significant mark in our profession. I am honored to have had time to share with her.”
Orr has been part of the Norton Children’s Hospital Level IV NICU - Student Nurse Apprenticeship Program from summer of 2022 to spring 2023. Having hands-on experience, she was able to put her education to the test, gain a better understanding of the nursing role, and attain a greater appreciation of organizational structures and operations within a health care setting.
Although Orr has surpassed the criteria for this award, she was pleasantly surprised to receive the news.
“I was honestly very shocked and couldn’t believe that I had been selected for this honor,” she said. “To be chosen as a representative of the college is truly beyond words and will forever be one of my most cherished achievements.”
After graduation, Orr will work at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in the Cancer Institute inpatient adult Oncology Unit. Having different passions from women’s and infant health, to mental health and trauma-informed care, adult and pediatric oncology, and critical care, she hopes to one day become a professor or nursing educator.
The Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing will honor Hale and Orr as the student marshals at its spring 2023 commencement, which will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6, in Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus.