(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)February 28, 2019

MAHWAH, N.J. – Professor of Nursing G. Elaine Patterson is the recipient of the 2019 Fred and Florence Thomases Faculty Award, given annually to a Ramapo College faculty member who demonstrates significant and ongoing contributions to the College. The ceremony was held in the York Room of the Birch Mansion on campus.

“I was totally surprised by this award,” said Patterson to a standing-room-only audience. “As nurses, we have a responsibility to the world to share what we know, share what we have. My motto is, ‘We can improve the world health through education.’ If you care for women and children, you are caring for the world.”

Established in 1975 by Ramapo’s founding trustee Florence Thomases and her husband Fred, the prestigious award recognizes excellence in teaching, scholarship and contributions to the Ramapo community. The recipient of the award typically serves as grand marshal at the commencement exercises and carries the College mace at the ceremony.

Kathleen Burke, Assistant Dean of Nursing, was among Patterson’s colleagues who nominated Patterson for this year’s Thomases Award.

“Elaine was one of the first faculty members to come to Ramapo when the Joint Program [previously staffed by UMDNJ nursing faculty] was established in 1993. She has made an indelible impact on the faculty, students and graduates of all of our programs,” said Burke. “She epitomizes the role of the academic nursing educator, through her scholarship, mentoring, cajoling, and teaching. Her constant engagement in the support of nursing excellence exemplifies her beliefs in nursing and nursing education. We are so lucky to have Elaine as a colleague.”

Edward Saiff, Dean of the School of Theoretical and Applied Science, said, “Elaine is a senior member of our nursing program. She demonstrates excellence in the classroom, as a scholar and as a contributor to our governance system. She happily mentors new faculty and has helped develop study abroad programs in Sierra Leone and Ghana in Africa. She embodies all that Fred and Florence Thomases were looking for when they created this award.”

Patterson earned her B.S.N. from Jersey City State College, and master’s degrees from New York University and Teachers College of Columbia University, where she also earned her Doctor of Education degree. She received certification in Midwifery from the University of the West Indies and Family Nurse Practitioner from Long Island University.

 

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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