An endowed student scholarship in UCF’s College of Nursing [1] honors the Navy’s first female Rear Admiral. Established in 2008 by the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Foundation of Orlando, the Rear Admiral Alene Duerk VNA Endowed Nursing Scholarship honors Duerk for her personal history, sacrifice and significant achievements as a Navy nurse and war veteran.
Duerk was named the first female Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy in 1972. As a member of the Navy Nurse Corps, she saved countless lives during World War II, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.
The scholarship is offered and awarded annually to full-time undergraduate nursing students [2]. “With these scholarships, future UCF graduates can carry on her legacy of nursing and leadership achievements,” says Bob Wheeler, VNA Foundation treasurer.
UCF’s College of Nursing and the VNA Foundation will honor Duerk this Saturday, Nov. 14 in the City of Orlando’s Veterans Day Parade.