SSCC's Associate Degree Nursing program graduates 32

Thirty-two graduates of Southern State Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program were recognized Dec. 14 during a pinning ceremony at the college's Central Campus in Hillsboro.

Graduate Mandy Waters opened the evening ceremony with a recitation of the nurse's prayer, followed by the welcome and introductions by graduate Amanda Austin.

"Not only are we proud of you, we're indeed grateful for your career choice," said Dr. Kevin Boys, SSCC President, who welcomed the guests and congratulated the students on their accomplishments in the nursing program. "Our last ADN class of graduates all passed their state licensure test on their first try. That's a tough act to follow, but I see competitiveness in all of you! Plus you've been taught, mentored and supported by truly outstanding faculty."

Dr. Julianne Krebs, director of Southern State's nursing program, introduced the college's nursing faculty and staff, and joined in honoring retiring instructor Teresa Grooms who has served the college for 30 years.

"Thank you for sharing your hard-earned time with me," Grooms said to the graduating class. "And always consider nursing a privilege. As an educator, I was lucky because every day I got to talk about something I loved."

Graduates Art Thomas and Paula Hurlburt served as the evening's guest speakers. During the pinning of graduates, friends and family members of nursing students were welcome to join their loved one on stage and pin the graduate with the Associate Degree Nursing graduate pin.

Graduate Angie Roush led the lighting of the candle while the ADN graduates recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge. Closing remarks were delivered by graduate Samantha Baldwin.

The December 2012 graduating class includes, from Adams County, Amanda Austin+ of Peebles and Brandi Polley of Winchester; from Brown County, Samantha Dawn Baldwin+ of Mt. Orab, Karen Lynn Hill+ of Mt. Orab, Ragene Kitchen+# of Winchester, Crystal G. Mounts+* of Mt. Orab and Arthur R. Thomas+# of Russellville; from Clinton County, Kristin Renee Andrews+ of Wilmington, Donita Dawn Dunn+* of New Vienna, Michael W. Locke+ of Clarksville, Michelle Lynn Ludwick+# of Sabina, Andrew Pearce Martin of Wilmington, Angela K. Roush* of Wilmington, Danielle Louise Snavely+# of Martinsville and April Tucker+ of Wilmington; from Fayette County, Brandi Culp of Washington C.H., Anne Marie Kovach of New Holland, Rosalee Morris of Washington C.H., Heath Thomas Tira+ of Washington C.H. and Amanda D. Waters of Washington C.H.; from Highland County, Brian Cadwallader+*# of Hillsboro, Lisa Fox of Hillsboro, Paula Kelley Hurlburt+* of Hillsboro, Shaina D. McCarty of Lynchburg, Leslie Anne Molen of Hillsboro, Marcosa Oliveros Otey of Leesburg, Don A. See+# of Hillsboro, Alicia J. Shaffer of Hillsboro, Elizabeth V. Terrell of Hillsboro, Crystal Dawn Wait+# of Leesburg and Meng Ting "Angel" Wu+ of Hillsboro; and from Ross County, Ruby Lyn M. Legg+ of Chillicothe (+ denotes college honors, * denotes LPN to RN students, and # denotes Phi Theta Kappa honor society members).

For more information about Southern State's health sciences programs, please call 1-800-628-7722 or email info@sscc.edu.