ENMU nursing master’s program graduate to become professor

ENMU Communication Services

link Judith Piepkorn

Judith Piepkorn is nearing the end of Eastern New Mexico University’s first master’s in nursing program.

After graduating Saturday, Piepkorn will become a nursing professor at Eastern.

Her husband, the Rev. Gary Piepkorn, is an adjunct professor of religion at ENMU.

Judith Piepkorn, who also has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from ENMU, met her husband at the University Lutheran Chapel on the campus of the University of Minnesota. Due to Rev. Piepkorn’s involvement with the military, the couple has also lived in Norway, England, California and Texas.

They have four children.

“My favorite hobby is spending time with my 15 grandchildren,” said Judith Piepkorn, who was raised in Minnesota with one brother and two sisters. “I love to cook and bake as well. After reading a lot for my graduate work, I am looking forward to doing some pleasure reading.”

Piepkorn was interested in getting a master’s degree in nursing education when the 32-hour program at ENMU was introduced in January 2013. As part of the program’s first graduating class, she is completing the capstone project. This included research, writing a curriculum and doing 96 teaching hours in various settings.

“I think my favorite part of the program is that it encouraged me to continue to learn and research in areas of nursing,” she said. “I think nurses are lifelong learners because we have to keep up with technology and advances in medicine.”

The current graduate assistant is responsible for two BSN basic courses. As a faculty member next semester, she will be teaching women’s health care, health assessment and global health care.

“I’m looking forward to the interaction with students. I hope they try to get into contact with me in other ways than just online, because that is how the courses are set up,” she said. “I am really excited to be working in this environment.”