Dyersburg State Honors 55th and 56th Nursing Classes with Pinning Ceremony

Dyersburg, Tennessee – Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) honored its 55th and 56th nursing classes with a ceremony for 21 graduates in the traditional nursing program and 26 graduates in the LPN to RN fast track nursing program Saturday, May 6. The ceremony took place inside the E.H. Lannom, Jr. Gymnasium on the Dyersburg campus. A total of 1,593 nursing students have graduated from DSCC over the past 36 years.

The ceremony began with nursing graduate Jennifer Puente of Jackson leading the invocation. Amy Johnson, dean of nursing, opened the ceremony with an introduction of nursing staff and faculty. DSCC President Karen Bowyer acknowledged the graduates and congratulated them on their accomplishments.

“Today is a very special day,” stated Dean Johnson. “I commend you on your persistence and hard work. You have the ability to do great things and to make this world a better place just because of your presence.”

The ceremony proceeded with the recognition of 28 first-year nursing students by nursing instructor Christie Hamm.

Nursing instructor Kim Dew introduced class officers for the traditional nursing class. Officers included president Ashley Barnes of Henning, vice president Ashlee Eakes of Troy, secretary Raven Warren of Dyersburg, treasurer Hannah Moore of Yorkville and historian Jordan Page of Kenton. Class officers for the LPN to RN fast track nursing class included president Catherine Caldwell-McNeill of Jackson, vice president Jennifer Puente of Jackson, secretary Kimberly Trailor of Bolivar and historians Lottie Ing of Dyersburg and Dikee’Dra Gwynn-Wilson of Ripley.

Student Nursing Association (SNA) officers were introduced by nursing instructor Trenna Richardson and included president Jennifer Puente, vice president Kimberly Trailor and secretary Candace Paris of Covington.

Ashley Barnes, traditional nursing class president, addressed her classmates by stating, “Today be encouraged that your sacrifices are appreciated. Today you are not just another nursing graduate – you are an example.”

LPN to RN fast track nursing class president Catherine Caldwell-McNeill addressed her fellow classmates and shared how close they had become over the last two years. “I feel incredibly honored and proud to speak on behalf of this amazing class,” stated Caldwell-McNeill. “Looking back at our journey and where we stand now, it is clear that we as a class have learned to take care of our patients by first learning to take care of one another.”

Dr. Bowyer presented the Friend of Nursing Award, chosen by the traditional nursing students, to Deborah McDowell, former DSCC security guard. She then presented the award, chosen by the LPN to RN fast track nursing students, to Brenda Springfield, DSCC custodian.

Nursing instructor Kimberly Dew awarded the Scholastic Award, presented to the student with the highest grade-point average (GPA), to traditional nursing class graduate Jordan Page, who graduated with a 3.38 GPA. The award was also presented to LPN to RN fast track nursing class graduate Darla Woods of Hornbeak, who graduated with a 3.43 GPA.

The Peggy Pendergrast Faculty Award, presented by nursing instructor Christy Hamilton, was awarded to traditional nursing class graduate Raven Warren and LPN to RN fast track nursing class graduate Jennifer Puente. This special award, given in honor of Peggy Pendergrast, the founding director of the DSCC nursing program, is presented to a student demonstrating the qualities that are essential for effective nursing practices.

Nursing instructor Tammy Hines presented the Clinical Practice Award, selected by members of the nursing faculty, to traditional nursing class graduate Hollie Goff of Dyersburg and LPN to RN fast track nursing graduate Alana Cathey of Jackson. This award is given to nursing graduates who demonstrate qualities such as the practice of nursing as a humanistic art and science, the recognition of each person as a unique individual and acceptance of legal and ethical professional accountability.

Traditional nursing class graduate Raven Warren presented the Friendship Award, chosen by class members, to fellow classmate Ashley Barnes. LPN to RN fast track nursing class graduate Katie Coughlin-Hopkins of Jackson presented the Friendship Award to fellow classmate Candace Paris.

Amy Johnson, DSCC dean of nursing, presented class pins to the graduates. Following tradition, each nursing graduate received a ceramic replica of the lamp carried by Florence Nightingale, a pioneer in the nursing profession. Nursing graduates lit the lamps and recited the Nightingale Pledge.

The 21 graduates of DSCC’s May 2017 traditional nursing class included:

Alamo - Anna Rogers

Brighton - Bridget Cockrell

Burlison - Kaitlyn Ashburn

Dyer - Felicia Landrum and Kendall Lawler

Dyersburg - Bushra Atta-Ur-Rehman, Andrew Davis, Hollie Goff, Diamond Jones, Raven Warren and McCray Woods

Halls - Elizabeth Gunter

Henning - Ashley Barnes

Kenton - Jordan Page

Milan - Dustin Bragg

Munford - Cody Newell

Newbern - Casey Dean