Three from Fisher recognized as Outstanding Adult Student Awards

Three students from St. John Fisher College—Ashley Krul, Brad Sheffield, and Denise Whalley—were recipients of the 2022 Outstanding Adult Student Awards given by the Rochester Area Colleges Continuing Education Association (RACCE).

The RACCE Outstanding Adult Student Award recognizes students who successfully balance academic excellence, service to the community, and the many competing responsibilities and obligations of adult life.

All three students are recent graduates of the Wegmans School of Nursing, having earned bachelor’s degrees earlier this month. Both Krul and Whalley were students in the RN to BSN program, while Sheffield enrolled in the full-time undergraduate program.

“My education at St. John Fisher College gave me a deep desire to work in the nexus of critical care, biomedical technology, and medicine,” Sheffield said in a video accepting the award. “I’m excited to see where I can take it.”

Krul, who changed careers from teaching to nursing, said she was honored to be nominated for the award. “My advice to other adult learners is to pace yourself and take it one step at a time,” she said.

In her acceptance video, Whalley agreed, adding, “Don’t fear failure, because there is no such thing. There are only results. Believe in yourself!”