Dyersburg State Honors 86th and 87th Nursing Classes with Pinning Ceremony
Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) honored its 86th and 87th nursing classes with a ceremony for 19 graduates in the traditional nursing program and 12 graduates in the paramedic to RN program on December 7. A total of 2,247 nursing students have graduated from DSCC over the past 43 years. “The Nursing Pinning Ceremony represents the capstone event in the educational career of registered nurses, and we were honored to celebrate these students’ hard work, accomplishments, and achievements with their family and friends. Our Nursing Program produces high-quality nurses for our communities, and we are proud to have done so for over forty years,” stated Dr. Scott Cook, president of DSCC.
Mr. Matt Taylor opened the ceremony with the invocation. Dr. Christy Hamilton, Director of Nursing, welcomed the graduates. DSCC President Dr. Scott Cook acknowledged the graduates and congratulated them on their accomplishments. The traditional class president, Ms. Gina Goodrich, and the paramedic to RN class president, Mr. Britton Powell, spoke to the graduating classes about their endeavors.
Ms. Michelle Davis introduced the class officers for the traditional and paramedic to RN program. The traditional nursing class officers include Gina Goodrich of Union City, president; Blaire Bowers of Brighton, vice president; Madeline Smith of Covington, secretary; and McKenzie Martin of Atoka, historian. Class officers for the paramedic to RN program included Britton Powell of Memphis, president; Jessica Hamberry of Arlington, vice president; Joseph Powell of Humboldt, secretary; and Lyle Holmes Huntington, historian.
Ms. Jackie Watson, Dean of Health Sciences, presented the Friend of Nursing Awards to Ms. Tanzy Henson of Ripley, Administrative Clerk II, at the Jimmy Naifeh Center. “As a nurse, I understand the impact of a helping hand and friendly face during this challenging journey called ‘Nursing School.’ It is my honor to celebrate with these students and present the Friend of Nursing Award,” stated Ms. Watson.
The Scholastic Awards, presented by Ms. Kim Chrestman to students with the highest grade-point average (GPA) in each class, were awarded to traditional nursing class graduate Vicki Almond of Arlington, graduating with a 3.72 GPA, and to the paramedic to RN class graduate Patrick Garner of Collierville, graduating with a 3.23 GPA.
The Clinical Practice Awards, selected by members of the nursing faculty, were presented by Mr. W.C. Robinson to traditional nursing class graduate Erica Thomas Shaw of Jackson and paramedic to RN class graduate Britton Powell of Memphis. 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.
Ms. Lisa Hayden presented the Peggy Pendergrast Faculty Award to the traditional nursing class graduate Gina Goodrich of Union City and the paramedic to RN class graduate Patrick Garner of Collierville. This special award, given in honor of the late Peggy Pendergrast, founding director of the DSCC nursing program, is presented to students demonstrating essential qualities for effective nursing practice.
The Friendship Awards, chosen by fellow class members, were presented by Ms. Brittany Gatlin to traditional nursing class graduate Gina Goodrich of Union City and the paramedic to RN class graduate Crystal Prewitt of Cordova.
The presentation of the traditional nursing students was given by Ms. Megan Shearon, followed by presentation of the paramedic to RN nursing students by Ms. Abby O’Neal. Ms. Brittany Gatlin, Ms. Tammy Hines, and Ms. Lori Turner led the lighting of the lamps and proceeded with the Nightingale Pledge with Ms. Dawn Chalk. Ms. Briana Cole closed the pinning ceremony with the benediction.
The 19 graduates of DSCC’s fall 2023 traditional nursing class include the following:
Arlington – Vicki Almond
Atoka – McKenzie Martin
Bartlett – Alice Moody
Brighton – Blaire Bowers
Burlison – Kaitlyn Gourley
Covington – Danielle Atkins and Madeline Smith
Dyersburg – Briana Cole
Halls – Marissa Riley
Humboldt – Justin Terry
Jackson – Erica Thomas Shaw
Memphis – Emily Hart
Millington – Alexus Morris and Anna Grace Silvis
Munford – Kimberly Biermann and Erica Hodskins
Ripley – Brooklyn Hughes
Rutherford – Kimberly Cook
Union City – Gina Goodrich
The 12 graduates of DSCC’s fall 2023 paramedic to RN program include:
Arlington – Jessica Hamberry and LaCortney Kizer
Atoka – Matt Taylor
Bells – Taylor Teel
Caruthersville, MO – Christopher Carr
Collierville – Patrick Garner
Cordova – Crystal Prewitt and Benjamin Schaefer
Humboldt – Joseph Powell
Huntingdon – Lyle Holmes
Memphis – Britton Powell
Nesbit, MS – Chris Crittenden