Campus commemorates beloved nursing professor

Dawn Zibricky, a former Elmhurst College professor who passed away in June, was honored on October 11 through a campus tree dedication ceremony.

Zibricky, assistant professor in the department of nursing and health, was a professor at EC for 12 years, teaching nursing and Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA) courses.

The tree dedication took place near Memorial Hall with over 30 people in attendance, including her two sons, Aaron and Ben, who unveiled a plaque in front of her tree.

The plaque stated, “In loving memory of Dr. Zibricky: A friend, leader, mentor, and professor who left a piece of her heart with us all. May she never be forgotten. Dedicated by her former nursing students.”

President Troy VanAken spoke about Zibricky’s time on campus.

“Despite being relatively new on campus, she connected with everyone across campus,” said VanAken. “Not just the faculty but the students and even [information technology] IT.”

Her students chose to dedicate Zibricky’s memory with a tree near Memorial Hall because of her presence within the nursing program.

To close the tree dedication ceremony, attendees were welcomed to bless the tree and plaque with holy water and a prayer.

Zibricky is survived by her husband, Greg, along with her two sons.