Click here for most recent updates

LIVE STREAM

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION, 8/19/23

LIVE STREAM

CU School of Nursing holds pinning ceremony for graduates

The annual pinning ceremony for graduates of Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing was held Thursday, May 6. This event comes just after the School of Nursing received a special letter of commendation from the Kentucky Board of Nursing for achieving a 100 percent pass rate for 2009, achieved by only seven of the 46 schools in Kentucky. Graduates pictured above are, row one, from left: Melinda Bess, Rachael Dobson, Lacy May, Jennifer McCarty, Nil Korkut and Diana Butler. Row two, from left: Jackie Phillips, Miranda Richerson, Frankie Skaggs, Brandy Thompson, Donna Sallee and Mary Beth Reynolds. Back row from left: Dana Westmoreland, Ellen Whitlock, Instructors Brandy Pierce and Terra White. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai "Max" Nergui)
The annual pinning ceremony for graduates of Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing was held Thursday, May 6. This event comes just after the School of Nursing received a special letter of commendation from the Kentucky Board of Nursing for achieving a 100 percent pass rate for 2009, achieved by only seven of the 46 schools in Kentucky. Graduates pictured above are, row one, from left: Melinda Bess, Rachael Dobson, Lacy May, Jennifer McCarty, Nil Korkut and Diana Butler. Row two, from left: Jackie Phillips, Miranda Richerson, Frankie Skaggs, Brandy Thompson, Donna Sallee and Mary Beth Reynolds. Back row from left: Dana Westmoreland, Ellen Whitlock, Instructors Brandy Pierce and Terra White. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai “Max” Nergui)

May 12, 2010
For Immediate Release

 

Campbellsville University School of Nursing holds Pinning Ceremony for graduates

 

By Linda Waggener, marketing and media relations coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY — The annual pinning ceremony for graduates of Campbellsville University’s School of Nursing was held Thursday, May 6. This event comes just after the School of Nursing received a special letter of commendation from the Kentucky Board of Nursing for achieving a 100 percent pass rate for 2009, achieved by only seven of the 46 schools in Kentucky.

Dean of the School of Nursing, Bob Wade, welcomed families and friends to Ransdell chapel for the ceremony honoring their graduates: Melinda Bess, Diana Butler, Rachel Dobson, Nil Korkut, Lacy May, Jennifer McCarty, Jackie Phillips, Mary Beth Reynolds, Miranda Richerson, Donna Sallee, Frankie Skaggs, Brandy Thompson, Dana Westmoreland, Terra White and Ellen Whitlock.

“A decade ago there were those who said a nursing program could not happen here,” said CU President, Dr. Michael V. Carter. However, Dr. Frank Cheatham and I didn’t listen. People like Tom Smith and Jerry Bennett, for whom the School of Nursing building is named, refused to give up on the idea. Others joined the excitement and now we are honoring our third graduating class of nurses.” He challenged them to be Campbellsville nurses wherever they go, showing through their hands and hearts the love of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

CU President, Dr. Michael V. Carter, left, congratulated the 2009-2010 graduates at the School of Nursing pinning ceremony Thursday evening in Ransdell Chapel. He challenged them to be “Campbellsville Nurses”, showing through their hands and hearts the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. From left behind Dr. Carter: Bob Wade, dean of the School of Nursing; graduates Mindie Bess from Corbin, Ky., Diana Butler and Rachael Dobson from Campbellsville, Ky., and Nil Korkut from Lebanon, Ky. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai "Max" Nergui)
CU President, Dr. Michael V. Carter, left, congratulated the 2009-2010 graduates at the School of Nursing pinning ceremony Thursday evening in Ransdell Chapel. He challenged them to be “Campbellsville Nurses”, showing through their hands and hearts the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. From left behind Dr. Carter: Bob Wade, dean of the School of Nursing; graduates Mindie Bess from Corbin, Ky., Diana Butler and Rachael Dobson from Campbellsville, Ky., and Nil Korkut from Lebanon, Ky. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai “Max” Nergui)

Dr. Frank Cheatham, vice president for academic affairs at CU, commended the graduates and also the faculty and staff. He said, “in its first three graduating classes Campbellsville University has added just under 50 nurses to help meet the needs of the medical profession.”

As the class spokesperson, graduate Dana Westmoreland, said, “Most of us are non-traditional students with active lives and we thought this would be fairly easy when we started on this journey. Not! We discovered we didn’t even know how to wash our hands right in the beginning. We have gone through many ups, downs, stops and starts since then, from sweat suits to pressed whites, and we are graduating as independent, confident, strong nurses who will be a credit to the profession.”

At the CU School of Nursing pinning service Rev. James Jones, CU Board of Trustee member, provided the traditional Blessing of the Hands ceremony over each nurse. Holding her hands for the blessing is graduate Diana Butler from Campbellsville. Butler had the highest GPA in this graduating class and received honors for having the highest score on the HEST exam. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai "Max" Nergui)

 

 

At the CU School of Nursing pinning service Rev. James Jones, CU Board of Trustee member, provided the traditional Blessing of the Hands ceremony over each nurse. Holding her hands for the blessing is graduate Diana Butler from Campbellsville. Butler had the highest GPA in this graduating class and received honors for having the highest score on the HEST exam. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai “Max” Nergui)

 

 

 

 

Wade credited each person listed on the program for their very special part in making the CU School of Nursing the special place it is: Rev. James Jones, CU Board of Trustee member, provided the traditional Blessing of the Hands; the song “I was here” was performed by graduate Brandy Thompson; Instructor Beverly Rowland gave the invocation; graduate Jennifer McCarty read The Graduates Poem; the Nightingale Pledge was led by Instructor Jenny Dobson; Pinning was done by Instructor Angie Atwood; Lighting of the Lamps was led by Instructor Brandy Pierce; and the closing prayer was given by Instructor Michele Dickens. Distribution of Roses was by Instructor Nicole Loy and Clinical Lab Coordinator Rhonda Vale; and Pianist was Judith Davis. A reception for graduates, family and friends followed.

Dean, Bob Wade, left, surprised the secretary for the School of Nursing with special recognition. He said, “We have a gift to show our appreciation to Jennifer Richerson for the many things she does to keep everyone going, while refusing to take any credit. As busy as things get, it is no wonder that our gift to her is The Serenity Prayer.” (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai "Max" Nergui)
Dean, Bob Wade, left, surprised the secretary for the School of Nursing with special recognition. He said, “We have a gift to show our appreciation to Jennifer Richerson for the many things she does to keep everyone going, while refusing to take any credit. As busy as things get, it is no wonder that our gift to her is The Serenity Prayer.” (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai “Max” Nergui)

Graduates who provided brief comments prior to the ceremony include:

CAMPBELLSVILLE:

Diana Butler, 24, Campbellsville, Ky., said, “I plan to work at TRH and further my education and get my BSN and possibly MSN. Special thanks to God and my family for being so supportive and understanding.” She and her husband Jerry are the parents of Versailee and Lucas Butler.

Lacy Raye Riggs May, 23, Campbellsville, Ky., said, “I will be working at Taylor Regional Hospital in ICU and Telemetry and have plans to continue my education and one day become a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist.” She said a special thanks to her husband, mother in-law Vera, sisters Rikki and Jessi, Chris and many other family members for all their support and help.” She and husband Jason are parents of Jackson May. She is the daughter of Richard and Sherri Riggs.

Mary Beth Reynolds, 34, Campbellsville, Ky., said, “I plan on working at Ephriam McDowell in Danville. I would like to say thank you first to God for giving me the strength to get out of bed every day and the health to do so, and my sweet children, Allie, Kate and Colby, and parents, Keith and Theresa Richerson, who always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I could not have done this without their support.”

Rachel Dobson, 24, Campbellsville, K., said, “I plan on working at Taylor Regional Hospital and continuing my education. I want to say thank you to all my family and friends who have supported me in every way on this long journey. Rachel is the daughter of Rocky Akin and Jane Buck. She and her husband Adam have a daughter, Brianna.

Miranda Richerson, 25, Campbellsville, Ky., said, “I want to say a special thanks to my family and friends for all of your support and my wonderful little boy for giving me the extra motivation to get through school so we can have a wonderful life together. She plans on working at Taylor Regional Hospital.” She and Willie Abell are the parents of a son, Isaac Abell. Miranda is the daughter of Johnny and Lisa Richerson and the gradaughter of Pat and David Bell and Wanda and Jimmy Cox.

Donna Sallee, 26, Campbellsville, Ky., said, “Special thanks to my mom and husband, without you guys I could not have done this!! I plan on working at Taylor Regional Hospital and continuing my education and obtain my BSN in the near future. She is the daughter of Don and Elaine Sallee. Donna and her husband are the parents of Ava Sweet and Dalton Salee.

Dana Westmoreland, was the class spokesperson and said, “most of us are non-traditional students with active lives and we thought this would be fairly easy when we started on this journey. Not! She went on to describe just how hard their journey had been from sweats to pressed whites. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai "Max" Nergui)
Dana Westmoreland, was the class spokesperson and said, “most of us are non-traditional students with active lives and we thought this would be fairly easy when we started on this journey. Not! She went on to describe just how hard their journey had been from sweats to pressed whites. (Campbellsville University Photo by Bayarmagnai “Max” Nergui)

HODGENVILLE:

Cora Ellen Whitlock, 22, Hodgenville, Ky., said, “I plan on working at Hardin Memorial Hospital in the emergency department, eventually continuing my education to become a nurse practitioner. Special thank you to my parents for doing everything in their power to provide me with the things I need to fulfill my dream; my brother Ethen for putting up with me and my boyfriend, Josh, for being there for the last year and a half with the most patience, love and support anyone could ask for; aunt annie for being my inspiration to be a nurse, but most of all God for all the answered prayers. She is the daughter of Billy and Rhonda Whitlock

COLUMBIA:

Terra White, 36, Columbia, Ky., said, “I plan on working at Taylor Regional Hospital with plans of continuing my education. I would like to thank God and my family, without either, this would still be a dream instead of a reality. She and husband Larry White are the parents of Asa, Taylor and Hazel. Terra is the daughter of Dwight and Milva Lawless.

Brandy Thompson, 27, Columbia, Ky., said, “After school I will be working at Taylor Regional Hospital and plan to continue my education working toward becoming a nurse practitioner. I would like to thank everyone, especially my family and friends for helping to make my dreams come true. She and husband Brent are parents of Gracie and Emma Thompson. Brandy is the daughter of Steve and Angela Smith.

Jackie Phillips, 35, Columbia, Ky., said, “I will be employed at Taylor Regional Hospital on the Med-Surge unit and plan to obtain my bachelors degree in the near future. I would like to give a special thanks to Kenny Smith and all of my family and friends who have been unremittingly supportive over these past two years. I greatly appreciate all that you have done and could not have accomplished this without you.” Parents are Roger and Lisa Burton of Vinegrove, Ky., Russ and Barbara McGaha of Columbia; and she has two daughters, Whitley and Payton Phillips.

CORBIN:

Mindie Bess, 21, Corbin, Ky., said, “I will be working at Baptist Regional Medical Center in the newborn nursery and plan to attend Eastern Kentucky University in the fall to obtain my BSN. Thank you, Lord, for your amazing love and grace, as well as the opportunity to serve others through this new career You have placed before me. I would like to thank my amazing husband, Ben, who has been so supportive through it all and also my family who has been cheering me on for as long as I can remember. Without you all, I would not be where I am today.” Her parents are Alan and Melody Coppock.

GREENSBURG:

Dana Westmoreland, 35, Greensburg, Ky., said, “I plan on working at Taylor Regional Hospital and continuing my education in the near future. Special thanks, first of all, to the good Lord. He has carried me through. Thank you all the girls and Central Kentucky Primary Care, I wouldn’t be here without you, and to Lisa Armer for taking care of my boys, Dakota, Logan and Luke, when I couldn’t be there.”

LEBANON:

Jennifer McCarty, 30, Lebanon, Ky., said, “I plan to work at Ephraim McDowell starting May 24 and I plan to further my education and get my MSN and become a Nurse Practitioner. Special thanks to my supportive parents and loving children and to a great friend Stuart Marin, without you I wouldn’t be where I am today.” Her parents are Jimmy and Cathy McCarty.

Nil Korkut said, “My hometown is Lebanon, Marion County. My husband’s name is Alaattin. With me at graduation will be daughters, Hazal Korkut (a nursing student in ECTC), and Gokce Korkut (she will apply to CU school of nursing this semester), and my best friend from Elizabethtown, Anna Akins, (she was my classmate). I would like to thank them for their support during my nursing education. My future plan is working as a nurse, getting my BSN, and being a good role model for my kids.”

BUFFALO:

Franklyn Skaggs, 22, Buffalo, Ky., said, “I plan on working at Hardin Memorial Hospital, then on continuing my education to earn my BSN. A special thank you to all my friends and family. Thanks for your encouragement and strength that got me through this. Without you I would not be here.” Parents are Anita Clark and Eddie Skaggs.

Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2010 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.

– 30 –