SJRCC PRESS RELEASE August 2008 SJRCC holds nursing pinning ceremony St. Johns River Community College recently held a pinning ceremony to recognize the Associate in Science in Nursing students. The pinning ceremony symbolized the "rite of passage into the nursing profession," said Virginia McColm, SJRCC's dean of nursing. The pin is a reminder to the 28 graduates of their purpose to serve the sick and infirmed. McColm described the pinning and lighting ceremony as the symbol of the care and devotion nurses provide. The ceremony is also a continued tradition of Florence Nightingale's extended honor to her most outstanding nurses. In addition to the ceremony, students were recognized for special achievements throughout their two-year program. Special awards went to Kelly Irby as the Ihsan Fahri Scholarship Award winner, Casie Ortagus for the Dean's Award, Erin McCorts for the Outstanding Student of the Year and Florence Nightingale Award, April Ivey for the Academic Excellence Award, Jennifer Parrott and Loretta Watson for the C.A.R.E. Award, Sheila Wheeler for the Community Leadership Award, Mitzi Carrea for the Student Nurses Association Award and Jill Scott, RN, MSN, CCRN, for Outstanding Instructor of the Year. Students were pinned by family members and then proceeded to light their lamps. This tradition serves as an icon in nursing from Florence Nightingale, who is known as the founder of modern-day nursing. In the 1800s, Nightingale was known as the "lady with the lamp," tending to the sick while carrying a lamp to light the way. The ceremony was held at the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts located on the Orange Park Campus. The following students are from Putnam County: Brenda Broussard and Kristin Cameron. The following students are from St. Johns County: Melinda Isham, Erin McCorts, Teresa Odom, Carrie Ortagus, Casie Ortagus, Carol White and David Wood. The following students are from Clay County: Melody Beursken, Susan Brown, Stacy Cameron, Mitzi Carrea, Jennifer Davis, Kristine Hill, Sharon Huffman, Cynthia Huntley, April Ivey, Lindsey Mason, Allison McArthur, Julie Myers, Jennifer Parrott, Sheri Shaub, Sarah Warren, Loretta Watson and Sheila Wheeler. The following students are from Duval County: Sheila Austin and Keith Williams. The guest speaker was SJRCC adjunct nursing instructor June Chandler, RN, Ed.D. SJRCC's nursing program is offered in Palatka and Orange Park. SJRCC offers additional health programs such as respiratory care, nursing assistant, medical encoder, health information management and radiologic technology. For more information on degree and certificate programs in the health field, call (386) 312-4176. PHOTO CAPTIONS: PHOTO TOP: Front Row, L-R: Carrie Ortagus, Sarah Warren, April Ivey, Brenda Broussard, Casie Ortagus, Sheri Shaub Second Row, L-R: Loretta Watson, Lindsey Mason, Susan Brown, Mitzi Carrea, Allison McArthur Third Row, L-R: Cynthia Huntley, Julie Myers, Jennifer Parrott, Stacy Cameron, Sharon Huffman, Teresa Odom Fourth Row, L-R: Kristin Cameron, Keith Williams, Sheila Wheeler, Kristine Hill, Carol White Back Row, L-R: Sheila Austin, Erin McCorts, Jennifer Davis, Melody Beursken, David Wood Not pictured: Melinda Isham PHOTO 2: Students from the SJRCC nursing program were recognized for special achievements throughout their two-year program. From left: special awards went to Clay County residents April Ivey for the Academic Excellence Award, Jennifer Parrott for the C.A.R.E. Award, Mitzi Carrea for the Student Nurses Association Award and Loretta Watson for the C.A.R.E. Award. PHOTO 3: Students from the SJRCC nursing program were recognized for special achievements throughout their two-year program. From left: special awards went to St. Johns County residents Casie Ortagus for the Dean's Award and Erin McCorts for the Outstanding Student of the Year and Florence Nightingale Award.