Bainbridge College Graduates 2nd Cohort in ADN Program

The second cohort of students in the Bainbridge College (BC) Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN) Program that started in 2006 have completed their studies, were honored in the traditional pinning ceremony May 3, and received their diplomas at BC Graduation May 9.

With much to smile about after the May 3 pinning ceremony that marked their transition from students to nurses, the second cohort of the Bainbridge College Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program pose with their instructors.

Front Row- Wendy Howard, Blair Anderson, Jennifer Brewer, Jenni Davis, Rita Sekula, Glenda Belk
Second Row- Clara Wade, Brent Henry, B.J. Grubbs, Brittani Turner, Katee Moran, Kelly Galatis, Amanda Williamson
Third Row- Lawante Bryant, Kristi Conoly, Alana McLendon, Michelle Collins, Angel Harlow
Top Row- Instructors Denise Laing, Ken Varnadoe, Betty Huskey, Rhonda Payne, and ADN Program Director Faith Garrett

The students, listed below by counties, received their nurse’s pins in the Pinning Ceremony at Fellowship Baptist Church, and are eligible to sit for the exam to become registered nurses.

Decatur County: Jenni Davis, Glenda Belk, Jennifer Brewer, B.J. Grubbs, Wendy Howard, Katie Moran and Clara Wade, all of Bainbridge; Kristi Conoly and Rita Sekula of Faceville.
Baker County: Mandy Williamson of Newton.
Early County: Alana McLendon of Blakely.
Grady County: Kelly Galatis and Brittani Turner of Cairo; Blair Anderson of Whigham.
Miller County: Brent Henry of Colquitt.
Seminole County: Lawante Bryant of Donalsonville.
Thomas County: Angel Harlow of Boston; Michelle Collins of Ochlocknee.

The graduates received distinctive pins designed exclusively for the BC ADN program. ADN faculty members assisted ADN Program Director Faith Garrett in the pinning and awards presentations.

BC Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Mariam Dittmann welcomed all those in attendance to the ceremony for which Clinical Instructor Ken Varnadoe of Mayhaw was keynote speaker. He has been with the program since January 2006.

Kristi Conoly, president of Bainbridge Association Nursing Students (BANS) gave the student address.

Instructor Betty Huskey presented awards for students. The Academic Excellence Award went to Kristi Conoly; the Clinical Excellence Award went to Jenni Davis, and the Art of Nursing Award went to Clara Wade. Archbold Memorial gave its Leadership Award to Kristi Conoly, and Memorial Hospital and Manor gave its Outstanding Scholarship Student Award to B.J. Grubbs.

On behalf of the cohort, BANS Secretary Jenni Davis presented their students’ Appreciation Award to Memorial Hospital and Manor in Bainbridge.

Also on the program were Instructor Sheree Dickenson, who gave the invocation and the closing, and Rhonda Payne, who shared student memories. Director Garrett gave the Words of Wisdom presentation, and Clinical Instructor Denise Laing led the Lighting Ceremony.

The class of 2008 thanked all of their families, friends, and the ADN faculty “who have traveled this road with us.” They also thanked ADN Program Assistant Ruby Barlow “who kept all of us straight. The ADN class of 2008 will be forever grateful for your support and encouragement.”

They also expressed their appreciation to Memorial Hospital and Manor in Bainbridge for continued support of nursing education, and Archbold Medical Facilities, Donalsonville Hospital and Seminole Manor, Southeast Alabama Medical Center, Capital Regional Medical Center, Florida State Hospital, the Decatur County School System, and area health departments “for our wonderful clinical experiences at each site.”