TOLEDO, Ohio – Seven University of Toledo student-athletes recently had the opportunity to share a meal and exchange ideas with Dean of Nursing Linda Lewandowski in the latest iteration of Dining With the Deans.
 
Dining With the Deans is hosted by the Athletic Department that provides a venue for Rocket student-athletes to meet with UToledo deans and other University leaders in an informal dining setting. The group dined at Campus Pollyeyes on Dorr Street last week. In addition to Dr. Lewandowski, others attending the dinner were Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair; Faculty Athletic Representative and College of Business and Innovation professor Kim Nigem; and Associate Athletic Director for Student Support Services Tony Belt.
 
The seven student-athletes at the dinner, who are all in the College of Nursing, were Hannah Noveroske (women's basketball); Ashley Lefever (women's swimming & diving); Abigail Ray (women's volleyball); and Meyah Haywood, Morgan Hicks, Khamani Jones and Laryah Worthy from the women's track & field team.
 
"The time I got to spend with Dean Lewandowski, AD Bryan Blair, and Kim Nigem was an experience I won't forget," said Noveroske. "It was a great opportunity to talk about the many things I enjoy about Toledo and to give them ideas that could make the University of Toledo even better. It was also great to hear other student-athletes talk about what they struggled with and how they overcame it while being a nursing student and student-athlete. I had an overall great time meeting new and familiar faces over a great dinner."
 
Dr. Lewandowski said she impressed by the ability of nursing students to handle the challenges of being a student-athlete while thriving in a rigorous academic program.
 
"We really value our student-athletes in the College of Nursing," said Dr. Lewandowski. "I am so proud of all that they are able to accomplish. In addition to the demands of being a Division-I student-athlete here at UToledo, they also have chosen a very demanding major. Many of the skills that help them to succeed as athletes — time management, teamwork, problem-solving, persistence, dedication, caring for each other — are also vital skills that will help them succeed in their future roles as nurses.

"I am proud also of the great collaborative relationship we in the College of Nursing have with our coaches and athletic staff. We all value our students' aspirations and talents both as athletes as well as future nurses, and we work together to be flexible and facilitative to make their success in both areas possible. Go Rocket Nursing! ''

Previous Dining With the Deans attendees included Mike Toole, the Dean of Engineering and Vice President for Student Affairs, and Dean of Students Sammy Spann.
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