Dyersburg State Nursing Graduates Honored During Pinning Ceremony
On May 6, Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) honored its 79th, 80th and 81st nursing classes with a ceremony for 22 graduates in the Advance Standing LPN-RN Fast Track Program, 22 graduates in the Traditional Day Program and 16 graduates in the Traditional Evening Program. The ceremony took place inside the E.H. Lannom, Jr. Gymnasium on the Dyersburg campus. A total of 2,138 nursing students have graduated from DSCC over the past 41 years.
The ceremony began with nursing graduate Katelyn Kelly of Troy leading the invocation. Trenna Richardson, director of Health Science, opened the ceremony by greeting the nursing classes. Dr. Scott Cook, president of DSCC and vice president for the college, Dr. Jan Reid Bunch acknowledged the graduates and congratulated them on their many accomplishments.
Nursing instructor, W.C. Robinson recognized the class officers. Traditional day nursing class officers included Emily Griffin of Newbern, president; Eric Fox of Hornbeak, vice president, Rachel Jackson of Ripley, secretary; Madelyn Ray and Colby Ruffin of Covington, historians. Traditional evening nursing class included Sam Sheppard of Mason, president; Alicia Petty of Hornbeak, vice president, Katelyn Kelly of Troy, secretary; Judy Hindmon, historian and Hannah Owsley of Trimble. LPN-RN Fast Track nursing class officers included Ashley Rychlik of Burlison, president; Katrena Taylor of Atoka, vice president; Katrice Thacker of Reagan, secretary, Amanda Arevalos of Alamo and Marlene Estes of Humboldt, historians.
Emily Griffin, traditional day nursing class president; Sam Sheppard, traditional evening president and Ashley Rychlik, LPN-RN Fast Track nursing class president, addressed each of the nursing classes.
Dr. Reid-Bunch presented the Friend of Nursing Award to Dr. Brian Wells, DSCC professor, from the traditional day nursing class, Mr. John Thomas, DSCC staff member from the traditional evening nursing class and the LPN-RN class award was given to the Baptist Collegiate Mission Staff. This award is presented to an employee at the College who has supported and helped the nursing students throughout their time in the nursing program.
The Scholastic Awards, presented to the student with the highest grade-point average (GPA), were presented to traditional day nursing graduate Emily Griffin of Newbern, who graduated with a 3.55 GPA, traditional evening nursing graduate Sam Sheppard of Mason, who graduated with a 3.46 and to LPN-RN Fast Track graduate Alycia North, who graduated with a 3.63 GPA.
The Clinical Practice Award, selected by nursing faculty members, was presented to traditional day nursing graduate Jordan Bedford of Memphis, traditional evening nursing graduate Christopher Montemayor of Jackson, and LPN-RN Fast Track graduate Mary Jane Shannon of Caruthersville, MO. 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 day nursing graduate Emily Griffin of Newbern and traditional evening nursing graduate Judy Hindmon of Dyersburg were presented the Friendship Award, chosen by their classmates. Brandy Mallory of Burlison was presented the Friendship Award from her LPN-RN Fast Track nursing program classmates.
The Peggy Pendergrast Faculty Award was awarded to traditional day nursing graduate Misty Vaughn of Newbern, traditional evening nursing graduate Sam Sheppard of Mason, and LPN-RN Fast Track graduate Ashley Rychlik of Burlison. This special award, given in honor of Peggy Pendergrast, the founding director of the DSCC nursing program, is presented to a student who demonstrates the qualities that are essential for effective nursing practice.
Trenna Richardson 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. LPN-RN Fast Track nursing graduate Mary Elaine Shannon of Caruthersville, MO, closed the ceremony with a Benediction.
The 22 graduates of DSCC’s May 2022 Advanced Standing LPN to RN fast track class included:
- Alamo - Amanda Arevalos
- Atoka - Katrena Lakaye Taylor
- Brownsville - Angela Kaye Yants
- Bruceton - Madison N. Carroll
- Burlison - Brandy Mallory and Ashley Michelle Rychlik
- Caruthersville - Mary Elaine Shannon and Hannah L. Vaughn
- Cedar Grove - Daelyn Anne Darnell
- Henry - Morgan Perdelwitz
- Humboldt - Marlene G Estes
- Jackson - Amber Nicole Johnson
- Lexington - Brittani Michelle Garcia and Kellye B. Neisler
- Mason - Kia Cheresse Johnson
- Maury City - Raveen Symone Cork
- Memphis - Kimberly Canise Bell
- Millington - Melissa Sue Baker
- Newbern - Alycia Dawn North
- Reagan - Katrice Nicole Thacker
- Union City - Ryan Nicole Penney
- Whiteville - Travis D. Kirkwood
The 22 graduates of DSCC’s May 2022 traditional day nursing class included:
- Bells - Jayden Elizabeth Gray
- Brownsville - Brittany Keona Bond
- Covington - Madelyn Grace Ray and Colby Brooke Ruffin
- Dyer - Meagan Nicole Davidson
- Dyersburg - Cayla Renee Anderson, Kayla Danielle Bopp, Nancycathryn Jennings Crane and LaTashia Rene Jordan
- Halls - Emily Grace Tillman
- Henry - Jeffery Hunter Wygul
- Hornbeak - Eric Jon Fox
- Jackson - Natasha Dione Smith
- Memphis - Jordan Earl Bedford
- Newbern- Emily Madison Griffin, Alyssa Paige Moody and Misty Ann Vaughn
- Olive Branch - Kimberly Patrice King
- Ripley - Khloe Skye Arwood and Rachel Ann Jackson
- Troy - Amanda Renae Toon
- Union City - Rebecca Carole King
The 16 graduates of DSCC’s May 2022 traditional evening nursing class included:
- Cordova - Terrence Johnson
- Covington - Mary Jane Anderson Knight
- Dyersburg - Jessica Marie Chessor and Judy Louise Hindmon
- Friendship - Bobbie L Evans and Kimberly Dawn Houge
- Hornbeak - Alicia Dawn Petty
- Humboldt - Kimberly Washington
- Jackson - Christopher Lane Montemayor
- Lexington - Tonya Lynn Wood
- Mason - Sydney “Sam” Aimee Sheppard
- Ripley - Anita Carol Michaels
- Tiptonville - Ashalee Nicole Young
- Trimble - Hannah Michelle Owsley
- Troy - Katelyn Kelly
- Union City - Ida Danielle Simpson