Evans said he's fortunate to have gained the experience and lifelong peer relationships that he formed while in school.
"I have a network of peers that reaches across state lines now that I can tap into at any time," Evans said.
Evans said he also was fortunate to have several influential faculty mentors during his undergraduate and graduate studies, such as Paula Baumann, Amanda Carmack and Diane Baker. He said Dean Karen Clark has also stayed in contact and asks him to occasionally help with the program, and he really enjoys giving back.
Day stays in contact with some of his professors from the 1990s as well.
"They are truly touching communities throughout the world with their programs for students," he said.
To help IU East stay current with the changing needs of the profession, its School of Nursing Advisory Council works to ensure the program remains visionary, collaborative and produces quality nurses. Day is a member of the council.
Clark welcomes alumni involvement and support of the school and its students as they go out in the community. She said scholarship donations are also extremely helpful.
Rose is extremely thankful for the scholarships she received from the Whitewater Valley Chapter of IU Alumni Association during her undergraduate nursing studies. That support from IU alumni made it possible for her to pursue a master's degree.
"I am most grateful for my ability to work full-time and obtain my M.S.N. degree without having to take on huge student loans like I have seen some of my peers do to complete M.S.N. degrees at other Indiana schools or online degrees," Rose said. "The IU East nursing program is a huge asset to the community."