Frontier Community College’s Nursing Program held its annual Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Friday, May 15th at 4 p.m. at the Cider Barn Tree & Ice Skating Venue south of Fairfield. Family, friends, faculty, and community members gathered for the outdoor ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduating nursing class. Special guests in attendance included longtime FCC supporter Jerry Cox, FCC President Dr. Sharmila Kakac and Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board Chairman Gary Carter.
FCC nursing faculty and staff in attendance included Dean of Health Professions Dr. Alani Frederick, DNP, RN; Department Head of Nursing and Instructor Dr. Tracy Hicks, DNP, RN; Nursing Instructors Brittany Rose, MSN, RN, and Brianna Trowbridge, MSN, RN; Nursing Program Advisor Julie Bullard, B.B.A.; and College & Career Center Specialist Jordie Higgason, M.Ed.
Dr. Tracy Hicks opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks. Brianna Trowbridge, Student Nurse Association Advisor, introduced the Student Nurse Association (SNA). SNA President Taylor Postin then addressed the audience and reflected on the organization’s activities and accomplishments throughout the academic year.
The keynote speaker for the ceremony was nursing instructor Brittany Rose. During the ceremony, Rose also introduced Alpha Delta Nu, the National Honor Society for Associate Degree Nursing students sponsored by the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing. The organization recognizes academic excellence while promoting leadership, community outreach, and the pursuit of advanced nursing education.
Graduates recognized during the ceremony included Casey Atteberry, Curtlyn Coale, Jacquelyn Flechs, Kaitlyn Howe, Brittany Johnson, Zoe Murbarger, Jonathan Paul, Taylor Postin, and Brittany Wiggins.
One of the ceremony’s most meaningful traditions was the Passing of the Lamp Ceremony. Trowbridge explained the significance of the lamp, which symbolizes the transition from student nurse to professional nurse and represents the passing of knowledge, compassion, and dedication to selfless patient care from one generation of nurses to the next.
Casey Atteberry, LPN, led the Florence Nightingale Pledge, a recitation traditionally shared by graduating nursing students to symbolize their commitment to ethical practice, compassionate care, and the nursing profession.
Jonathan Paul, LPN, concluded the ceremony with the benediction.