2026 Nursing college award winners honored

The 2026 Marquette Nursing college award winners were announced in advance of Commencement. These award winners went above and beyond in their demonstration of the five qualities of a Marquette Nurse: thinking critically, caring for the whole person, advancing social justice, advocating for the vulnerable and leading courageously.

Sr. Berenice Beck Award
Awarded to a graduate student selected by faculty as having demonstrated above-average achievement, outstanding clinical and/or research performance, commitment to ongoing professional development and the profession of nursing, and qualities consistent with the mission and values of Marquette University.

Winner: Julie Banda
Excerpt from award recommendation: Julie Banda exemplifies excellence across clinical practice, research, and professional leadership. Her groundbreaking work on the physical and psychosocial burden of pediatric cyclic vomiting has made a meaningful impact on both patient care and the broader nursing community. Julie demonstrates a strong commitment to the nursing profession through her active service on the Wisconsin Chapter Board of NAPNAP, as well as her continued engagement with Marquette as a BSN, MSN and DNP graduate.

Gregory Olson Caring Graduate Award
Awarded to a graduate student selected by faculty as having demonstrated above-average academic achievement, caring for peers and clients, openness to new ideas and the diverse views of others, and who exemplifies fairness.

Winner: Erin Brauer
Excerpt: Erin has been dedicated to excellence in pediatric care throughout her career. She is a graduate of the undergraduate nursing program and has exemplified excellence in the classroom throughout her graduate school courses. She embodies Cura Personalis in all she does.

Gregory Olson Caring Undergraduate Award
Awarded to a senior student selected by faculty as having demonstrated above-average academic achievement, caring for peers and clients, openness to new ideas and the diverse views of others, and who exemplifies fairness.

Winner: Imunique Triplett
Excerpt: Imunique Triplett was a delight to have in class. She started a new student organization: HER (Health, Empowerment and Resilience). In the last year, she has done a fantastic job in this leadership role. HER has hosted numerous events and has taken on the role of fundraising for and distributing feminine hygiene products within Straz Hall and in other buildings on campus. She is a fantastic overall student; bright, resilient, hard-working, and someone who deeply cares about others.

Berens Award
Awarded to a senior student selected by faculty as having demonstrated above average academic achievement, outstanding clinical performance, commitment to ongoing professional development, and personal qualities consistent with the mission and values of Marquette University.

Winner: Errandi Urrieta
Excerpt: Erandi is an extremely bright student who has demonstrated a strong work ethic and the ability to achieve excellence in her coursework. She is committed to pursuing a research career. She has also shown a great deal of integrity in the way she has helped the other students around her.

Student Activities & Service Award
Selected by senior students, this award is given to a senior who has shown enthusiasm for nursing, who has worked diligently for the success of student activities and service projects, and who is enrolled as a full-time student in the prelicensure program at the College of Nursing.

Winner: Amanda White
Excerpt: Amanda has been part of the Marquette University Student Nurses Association e-board for four years. As our class representative, she has dedicated so much time to making the club successful and providing support to all nursing students. She has also been a tutor for three years, helping freshmen thrive in their anatomy and physiology course.

Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (Graduate)
Awarded to a full-time faculty member selected by graduate students as having demonstrated excellence in teaching and who has inspired students in nursing.

Winner: Dr. Maria Peña
Excerpt: I chose Dr. Peña because she is consistently supportive, kind, giving, and clear in her expectations. I appreciate that she holds us to a high standard of excellence, but that standard is always realistic. Dr. Peña always takes an interest in our lives outside of school and makes us feel seen and heard.

Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (Undergraduate)
Awarded to a full-time faculty member, selected by senior students, as having demonstrated excellence in teaching and who has inspired students in nursing.

Winner: Dr. Sandi Kaebisch
Excerpt: Dr. Kaebisch is very passionate about the success of her students, and you can see that in each of her lectures. I feel moved after each of her lectures because she leaves us with a message that goes beyond the content for class that day. Her stories, logic, and way of thinking has inspired me throughout my time at the Marquette College of Nursing.