As an 11-year-old, Birmingham native, Anna Donegan, knew she wanted to go to school in Auburn when she went to see a basketball game. “When the crowd clapped twice and yelled “A-U,” I knew I wanted to be part of the Auburn Family. I chose Auburn first, even before confirming nursing, but I knew if I pursued nursing, Auburn was the best place to be. Its strong reputation assured me I’d succeed and secure a job quickly after graduation. My choice was both heartfelt and strategic,” she added.
"I initially chose nursing for strategic reasons, but as my understanding deepened, I recognized its profound importance—providing holistic care that encompasses emotional, spiritual, physical, and psychosocial well-being of patients. My aspiration is to contribute to a new era of nursing defined by service and compassion, rather than power, status, or financial gain."
Donegan finds her experience at Auburn University exceptional. “The university exemplifies a cohesive community, uniting individuals from various regions of the country and beyond. It encourages active participation, through which I have established enduring friendships and connections with mentors who are sincerely invested in my success.
“Two of my favorite classes were Anatomy and Anatomy II because they enhanced my understanding of the human body — its remarkable diversity and the intricate balance required for everything to function. Studying it reinforced my appreciation for the complexity of biological systems,” she said.
At AUCON, Donegan is a lead student mentor and a member of the Auburn Student Nurses Association, the Pediatric and NICU Club and the CAREing Paws organization. A recipient of the Spirit of Auburn Founder Scholarship, she has been an undergraduate teaching assistant and has worked with the college’s Community Assessment Project, which aims to improve community health through education on healthy eating. Anna is currently analyzing data for a faculty-led study on postpartum depression among breastfeeding mothers. After graduating this May, she plans to work as an emergency department nurse.
Donegan is currently doing her preceptorship in the Emergency Department at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham. She plans to get married shortly after graduation. After working for a few years, she wants to pursue another nursing degree and certifications. “I aspire to be a Nurse Practitioner in Functional Medicine, Family Medicine, or Emergency Medicine and get my certification in SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nursing.”
According to Donegan, her foundation is rooted in her commitment to being a nurse and providing compassionate care and allowed her to advocate for patients during their vulnerable moments and to support families through periods of stress and uncertainty, as highlighted by one of her favorite books, Called to Care by Judith Allen Shelly, Arlene B. Miller, and Kimberly H. Fenstermacher.
“We are incredibly proud of Anna Donegan for receiving the 2025 President's Award,” said Dean Newschwander. “Her commitment to nursing and her involvement in various organizations at Auburn University exemplify the spirit of excellence and service we strive to cultivate in our students. We are confident that she will continue to make significant contributions to the field of nursing and positively impact countless lives. Congratulations, Anna, on this well-deserved honor."
