College of Nursing Award Recipients

Friends of the College Award

Dr. Anne M. Lent and David W. Watson, Law ’16
Whitefish Bay, Wis.

Instead of receiving gifts for their first anniversary in 2014, Annie and Dave engaged their guests in giving to the Marquette College of Nursing’s work in community health. This inspired the annual NightinGala, an event Annie and Dave created with the college to support its community care programs.

The cause combines several passions for Annie, an allergy and immunology physician at Columbia St. Mary’s in Milwaukee, and Dave, an attorney in private practice. Specifically, these include medicine, Marquette and community service.

Annie’s mother, Barbara Lent, Nurs ’64, her grandfather, John Dunphy, Eng ’32, and a number of other relatives are Marquette alumni. Dave enrolled at the Law School shortly after the couple’s wedding, humbled on his first day, he says, “by the fact that most of my classmates were in kindergarten when I was in college.”

The College of Nursing’s community care programs serve the dual mission of transforming health care for Milwaukee’s most vulnerable individuals while providing hands-on clinical experience for nursing students in a manner that reflects Marquette’s Jesuit ideals. Programs include a free clinic for women and children as well as a partnership with Sojourner Family Peace Center, which supports people impacted by domestic violence.

“The NightinGala raises valuable funds that enable students to experience their education far beyond the classroom,” Annie says. “To teach them that healing goes beyond blood pressures and extends to the vital signs of hope, empathy, justice and grace.”

Annie calls her mom and the College of Nursing Class of 1964 “true rock star alumni” who have generously supported the first two NightinGalas.

“Being a part of the NightinGala and the Marquette community has taught us that we may not change the world today, yet we can plant the seeds that will grow into the vines that permeate generations to come,” Dave says. “The NightinGala truly embodies Marquette’s commitment to giving a voice to those who have no voice.”

Fun facts: Dave was inspired and mentored by Louie Andrew, Jr., Law ’66, the 2016 All-University Service to Marquette Award recipient.
Annie says her dream dinner guest is Dave, and the dream comes true most Friday nights. “He embodies the qualities of forgiveness, of strength, of perseverance and of faith,” she says.