Diagnostic Imaging, Respiratory Therapy programs hold pinning ceremonies

CONTACT: Gail Crutchfield, Communications and Marketing, Wallace State Community College, 256.352.8064, gail.crutchfield@wallacestate.edu
 

Diagnostic Imaging students recognized during the May 2, pinning ceremony include, from left, class president Stephanie Blankenship, Outstanding Clinical Excellence award winner Heather Briggs, Outstanding Student Award from clinical site Marshall Medical Center South Heather Maxwell, Academic Excellence award winner Kristen Evans, class secretary LaTasha Edwards, class vice president Jessica Lawler.
 
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College bestowed more than 20 students with a pin signifying their success in completing an Associate Degree in Science in the Diagnostic Imaging program. The pinning ceremony was held Thursday, May 2, for the 24 students who completed the program that affords them the opportunity to work as x-ray technologists in hospitals, clinics and physician’s offices.
Their next step to achieve that goal is to pass the certification exam offered by the American Registry of Radiological Technologists, for which their completion of the Wallace State program grants them access.
“We’re all proud of them and we’re sad to see them go, but they gotta go,” said Program Director Jim Malone at the start of the ceremony held in the Betty Leeth Haynes theater.
Clinical Coordinator Courtney Patterson was emotional as she addressed the first class she taught at Wallace State.
“I have imagined this moment since the day I walked into the classroom,” she said. “You were my first classroom-setting class, and you made it and I’m so very proud of each and every one of you. Words can’t express how proud I am of you.
“The skills that you’ve learned in this program are going to make a wonderful technologist out of you,” Patterson added. “But the lessons you learned are not only going to make you a better technologist, they’re also going to make you a better person. You have all grown and I have been able to watch you grow over the past 21 months. You’ve done me proud. You’ve sacrificed, you’ve studied. You’ve proven to everyone that you deserve the right to be here.”
During the pinning ceremony, Malone read comments provided by some of the graduates where they were able to express their thanks to family, friends and instructors who supported them along the way.
“I just wanted to give a special shout-out to Mr. Malone and Mrs. Patterson,” Malone read for graduate Samantha Vaughn. “I know we all took you for granted by not realizing how hard you were working by our side. Without your ability to lighten the mood and alleviate stress in every one of us, I don’t’ think any of us could have passed. Thank you both for being great at what you do, and it was a pleasure learning under your guidance.”
Awards and Recognitions were presented to:
Heather Maxwell, Outstanding Student Award, from Marshall Medical Center South clinical site
Student Class Officers: Stephanie Blankenship, president; Jessica Lawler, vice president; LaTasha Edwards, secretary
Heather Briggs, Outstanding Clinical Excellence Award
Kristin Evans, Academic Excellence Award
Also in May, the Wallace State Respiratory Therapy Department held its pinning for its 26 graduating members.
Class officers and inductees into the National Lambda Beta Society were given special recognition during the ceremony. Officers representing the Class of 2013 are Christina Gunter, president; Nicole Carter, vice-president; Allison Herring, secretary; Cherie Ramage, treasurer; Kristin Kelsoe, Alabama Society for Respiratory Care representative; and NaShea Hutcheson, advisory board representative. Inductees in the National Lambda Beta Society were Cally Ashbaugh, Lauren Gibson, Christina Gunter, Allison Herring, LeKeisha Thrasher, Ivy Warren and Tyler Weathers.
 
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Kristen Holmes
Director, Communications & Marketing
Wallace State Community College
P.O. Box 2000, Hanceville, AL 35077
1-866-350-9722 256-352-8118 direct
256-352-8314 fax 256-339-2519 cell
Visit us online at www.wallacestate.edu