By Simon Baker, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – On May 4, Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing recognized 10 students in Ransdell Chapel during its Registered Nurse Pinning Ceremony.
Dr. Michele Dickens, dean of the School of Nursing, welcomed everyone and thanked them for coming to support the graduates.
The following students received pins during the ceremony: Lexie Morgan Ford of Greensburg, Ky.; Kalibeth Jewell Gardner of Cave City, Ky.; Emily Paige Hibbs of Campbellsville, Ky.; Eden Olivia Kessler of Lebanon, Ky,; Shelbie Lyn Mills of Waynesburg, Ky.; Amber Nicole Loy of Russell Springs, Ky.; Megan Erin Shaw of Greensburg, Ky.; Emily Rose Sibert of Campbellsville, Ky.; Emma Grace Steff of Roundhill, Ky.; and Addison Faith Sutton of Vine Grove, Ky.
Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, said, “In a time where many professions have undergone lots of challenges, the School of Nursing at Campbellsville has really shown innovation, creativity, ambition, to make it work, to support the profession, to do whatever it takes.”
The following students received special awards, which were presented by Dickens and Dena Clements, instructors in clinical nursing: Emily Paige Hibbs (Franklin D Cheatham Award and Elsevier Award), Emma Grace Steff (Clinical Excellence Award), Addison Faith Sutton (Award of Excellence, Dr. Beverly Rowland Academic Award and Dr. James E. Jones Servant Leadership Award).
Sutton spoke about her experience at the School of Nursing during the ceremony. She described nursing school as “the hardest, most fatiguing, what feels like never-ending, tear-filled semesters a student could experience. But, she also described them as “most fulfilling semesters of your life.”
“I think I can speak for everyone when saying how thankful we are to our families, whomever that may be to us, for being patient with us and loving us,” Sutton said. “You were understanding when we had to turn you all down to study for clinical or just class.
“We can’t thank you enough for just being there in the background, ready whenever we needed you or finally had time to spend with you.”
She described a time when she received a poor grade on an exam, which she called her “scare moment.” She scheduled a meeting with Nicole Gwilliam, instructor in nursing, who told her, “Addison, give yourself a little grace.”
Sutton stated, “…those were the perfect selection of words I needed to hear. And this goes out to all our teachers because I’m sure each person standing up here turned to a teacher/or someone close to them in their ‘scare moment,’ and you told them exactly what they needed to hear to hold on a little longer.”
Sutton closed by thanking God “for helping all of us be in the position we’re in today.”
She noted, when she and her fellow classmates felt everything was against them, or nothing could go right, God would always remind them He was there with them.
“We would not be in these seats without Him,” she said. “So, thank you, God, for pulling us through. We love you and praise you every day.”
Dr. James E. Jones, a member of the Campbellsville University Board of Trustees and pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, blessed the hands of each graduate.
Mrs. Linda Gribbins, ADN instructor at Campbellsville University, closed the ceremony in prayer.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.