Campbellsville University pins 28 students in School of Nursing Ceremony

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

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Twenty-eight students received pins during the Campbellsville University School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney)

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (12/16/2014)(readMedia)-- Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs at Campbellsville University, said he didn't think anyone could be in better hands than those of a Campbellsville University nurse.

Cheatham spoke at CU's annual associate degree nursing program pinning ceremony Dec. 11 at Ransdell Chapel.

He said "competence, caring and compassion" are traits of a Campbellsville University nurse as 28 students were pinned and then went on to receive their degrees the next afternoon.

Cheatham, who serves on the Taylor Regional Hospital board, told the nurses to have competence, caring and compassion as they go into the work force. He reminded the graduates Campbellsville University offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree.

Dr. James Jones, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and church outreach special assistant, blessed the nurses in a special ceremony.

Dr. Bob Wade, dean of the School of Nursing, gave special awards to Patricia Tupman of Columbia, Ky., who received the Academic Award and the Clinical Excellence Award. An Award of Excellence was presented to Jesslyn Kelsey of Stanford, Ky., and Rachel Smith of Louisville, Ky. received the Servant Leadership Award.

Kisha Miller of Russell Springs, Ky. was recognized for having the highest score on the Health Education Systems Inc. (HESI) Exit Exam of 1,078. The national average is 850-950.

Tonya Kessler of Campbellsville, Ky. was the guest speaker. She thanked the nursing faculty for "molding us into great nurses." She thanked her "nursing family" for their "loving smiles, words and encouragement."

"We've cried, laughed and celebrated together," she said.

She also said each graduate should thank their families who supported them during their classwork and taking time from their family lives to study.

The 2014 nursing graduates include: Sarah Apedaile of Hendersonville, Tenn.; Renee Bell of Campbellsville; Lara Bland of Campbellsville; Erin Clarkson of Bonita Springs, Fla.;

Jessica Cross of Russell Springs, Ky.; Mackenzie Gentry of Greensburg, Ky.; Cheyenne Gettings of Greensburg, Ky.; Brittany Grant of Glasgow, Ky.; Bethany Gusler of Sonora, Ky.;

Hillary Hutchison of Columbia, Ky.; Jesslyn Kelsey of Stanford, Ky.; Tonya Kessler of Campbellsville, Ky.; Jeannie Lyons of Liberty, Ky.; Carla Mattingly of Lebanon, Ky.; Barbara McGuffin of Albany, Ky.;

Kisha Miller of Russell Springs, Ky.; Alex Montgomery of Campbellsville, Ky.; Melinda Osborne of Elkhorn, Ky.; Thomas Singleton of Campbellsville, Ky.; Rachel Smith of Louisville, Ky.; Deborah Sullivan of Campbellsville, Ky.; Sarah Tanaka of Campbellsville, Ky.; Emily Taylor of Liberty, Ky.; Patricia Tupman of Columbia, Ky.; Jackyln Wahl of Liberty, Ky.; Madison Walls of Lebanon, Ky.; Katie Watson of Elkhorn, Ky.; and Emilee York of Liberty.

Rachel Smith sang special music during the ceremony; Jesslyn Kelsey gave the invocation, and Erin Clarkson gave the closing prayer.

There was a Lighting of the Lamps ceremony led by Sharon Thomas, instructor in nursing, and Jennifer Richerson, secretary for the School of Nursing. Rhonda Vale, clinical/lab coordinator, and Faith Corbin, nursing lab assistant, distributed red roses to the graduates.

For information about the School of Nursing, contact the office at (270) 789-5155.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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