First nursing students graduate from Lee University
Kathleen Rose, assistant professor of nursing, pins graduate Kalie Manis while Assistant Professor of Nursing Vanessa Phipps, left, looks on.
Photos by Riley Matilla
During Lee University’s May graduation ceremonies, the first School of Nursing graduates received their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The 17 nursing graduates were also recognized during a pinning ceremony on the day prior to commencement.
On Friday, May 5, the School of Nursing honored its first cohort with a lapel pin signifying their accomplishments and an alabaster jar signifying their career ahead of pouring themselves out in service to others. This was particularly special for Sara Campbell, dean of the School of Nursing, as she created the program upon coming to Lee in 2013.
“The Christian nurse must be able to do all those things that any nurse should do, see patients as God sees them, and be able to demonstrate the love of Christ to all,” Campbell said. “We have been told by our clinical partners that our students are different in a good way. Christian conduct may not always be distinctly different, but it is distinctly motivated.”
During the pinning ceremony, Bryn Dawdy received the Senior Leadership Bound and Shining Light Awards, Megan Duttlinger was the recipient of the Senior Excellence Award and the Choice Award was presented to Katherine Plate. Dawdy and Karina Hernandez were also named Senior Dean Fellows.
Hernandez, senior class speaker, presented a speech expressing her excitement for what is to come of the program and the nurses. Campbell and Jeannie Duff, lecturer in nursing at Lee, also shared their experiences with the program so far and hopes for the future.
The nursing program has accomplished much throughout the last four years, including achieving approvals through the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
The School of Nursing began accepting students in fall 2014, and each semester has resulted in a new set of courses unfolding as the students move through the curriculum.
The program has a traditional track for students earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and offers two plans of study: one for beginning freshmen and one for transfer/change of major students.
The first group of graduates from Lee’s School of Nursing include Hailey Clark, Emily Dagnan, Dawdy, Duttlinger, Kelsea Fletcher, Rachel Geraci, Lauren Harbison, Dorothy Hays, Hernandez, Natasha Lewis, Kalie Manis, Kristen Moon, Plate, Lauren Smeltzer, Kayla Smith, Hayla Stone and Mwajuma Teague.
For more information about the School of Nursing, visit the Lee University website.
