Pinning ceremonies held for WSCC health programs

Nursing program pins almost 50 future nurses; Diagnostic Imaging, Respiratory Therapy programs also graduate students
HANCEVILLE, Ala. — “This program is hard program,” said Elizabeth Dueland, president of the Spring 2014 class of nurses graduating from Wallace State Community College, but it’s because of that, Dueland said, that if she were sick and in need of treatment somewhere, she would ask for a nurse trained at Wallace State.
“I’d be the one to say, ‘Are they a Wallace State nurse, because if they’re not, could you find one for me?’” she said. “Because I trust you guys. You’ve been taught just like I have. I admire everyone you. Each of you is an inspiration.”
During the pinning ceremony, almost 50 students received the nursing pin to wear on their uniform or lab coat and they accepted the Florence Nightingale lamp. While the lamp was lit, the students recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge.
“It’s a very sacred experience to welcome you graduates to the nursing profession,” Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics told the graduates.
“We have an outstanding nursing program,” Karolewics added. “There are 16 universities in the state of Alabama that have baccalaureate nursing programs. Those baccalaureate graduates spend four years compared to the two years our students do to take the same exam, and our students perform better than 14 of those universities.”
Six students were recognized as nominees for the Nightingale Awards.
“You should be very proud to be included in this group,” said Deborah Hoover, chair of the Wallace State Nursing program. The Nightingale Award nominees are selected by the nursing faculty and recognize their commitment to excellence in scholarship and dedication to compassion and exemplary patient care.
The nominees were Kaitlyn Forrester, Mallory Hodges, Natalie Knox, Georgia Myrex, Alison Porch and Rebecca Westbrook. Forrester, Porch and Knox were named as winners.
Several students were also recognized as recipients of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges and members of the Wallace State Association of Nursing.
Pinning Ceremonies were also held for the Diagnostic Imaging and Respiratory Therapy programs. Almost 30 students graduated from the Diagnostic Imaging program and more than 15 from the Respiratory Therapy program.
“Being pinned means becoming a member of a noble profession, you carry the honor of being educated in the best college in the United States of America,” said Jim Malone, director of the Diagnostic Imaging program.
Awards for Diagnostic Imaging were presented to Linda Jacques for Academic Excellence and Mike Aldrich for Clinical Excellence.
Awards for Respiratory Therapy were presented to Mary Beth Cole for Academic Excellence and Cynthia Crawford for Clinical Excellence.
For more information about these or any other programs at Wallace State, call 256.352.8000, toll free at 866.350.9722 or visit www.wallacestate.edu.