College of Nursing Grad Receives King O’Neal Award for 4.0 GPA

USF College of Nursing student Karen Kaminsky was honored at the May commencement ceremonies with the King O’Neal Scholar award — a recognition given to undergraduate students graduating with a 4.0 GPA.

The award, presented by the USF Alumni Association, was created in honor of charter USF graduates Lucas King and Evelyn O’Neal.

Kaminsky, who was enrolled in the college’s RN to BS program and took most of her coursework online, didn’t even know the award existed until she applied for graduation. She said she knew she was on track to receive her diploma, but didn’t realize the award’s significance until the day of graduation when she was given a special medallion.

Kaminsky said after she graduated with her associate’s degree from Daytona State College with a 4.0 GPA, it was always her goal to continue that academic excellence at USF.

“There were some semesters where I didn’t know if I would make the 4.0 or not, but somehow I managed to,” she said.

Becoming a nurse was a second career for Kaminsky. She worked as a second-grade tutor in the Volusia County Schools, but decided she would pursue a career as a critical care nurse.

Each King O’Neal scholar receives a certificate recognizing their accomplishment and a medallion featuring the university seal.

Story by Elizabeth L. Brown, USF College of Nursing