Elizabeth Barnhart Award

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Photo of Elizbeth Barnhart

The Elizabeth Barnhart Award for Nursing Excellence is presented to a graduating associate degree nursing student from the Newark campus who exemplifies the highest ideals of the nursing profession: intelligence, commitment, sacrifice, integrity and a compassionate connection to others.

The award was established by Barnhart’s mother, Nancy Reeder. Recipients receive a certificate and a $300 cash stipend to help defray the cost of equipment and career-related fees, including testing and licensure.

Elizabeth Barnhart, a young registered nurse who loved her profession and was passionate about helping others, was only just beginning a promising career as an emergency room nurse at Newark’s Licking Memorial Hospital when she was killed on Feb. 2, 2017. A 2015 COTC graduate, Barnhart was an outstanding student and well-known to use the phrase “nurse so hard,” which she used to describe the deep level of compassion and commitment needed by nurses to provide exceptional patient care. The inaugural award was presented in May 2018. It is the highest award a nursing student can receive.

Support Nursing Excellence

Support nursing excellence and honor Elizabeth Barnhart’s legacy by making a gift online to this memorial fund. 

Give Now

If you prefer to send  a check, please make payable to COTC Elizabeth Barnhart Award and mail to:

COTC Advancement Office
1179 University Drive
Newark OH 43055

Awardees

Makayla Ann Harris holds her award during the nursing pinning ceremony.

COTC graduate Brooklyn Pennington poses with her plaque for the Elizabeth Barnhart Award in Spring 2024 on the Newark Campus.

Tamarrah Cavinee, winner of the Fall 2023 Barnhart Award for Nursing Excellence at Central Ohio Technical College.

Barnhart Award Recipient for Spring 2023 Skye Hetterscheidt.

Barnhart Award recipient Brenda Woodby holds a plaque while standing next to COTC President John Berry at the autumn semester nurses pinning ceremony.

Woosley holding framed degree with faculty member (Ingersol) with COTC seal in background

Catrena Sizemore portrait

Photo of Brandy Clayton

Photo of Olivia Rhynehardt

Photo of Morgan Morgan with Kris Bowman, RRT, RN, MSN, MEd Morgan Morgan with Kris Bowman, RRT, RN, MSN, MEd

PHoto of Elizabeth Djikunu

Photo of Madyson Bonham

photo of Shelley Love

Photo of Eric Bell with Barnhart's mother, Nancy Reeder Eric Bell with Barnhart’s mother, Nancy Reeder

photo of Samantha Eaton Samantha Eaton with Barnhart’s brother, Ben Barnhart