KOKOMO, Ind. — More than 50 future nurses celebrated acceptance into Indiana University Kokomo’s prestigious School of Nursing, at its annual induction ceremony.
Dean Susan Hendricks said the ceremony celebrates their accomplishment, and marks the beginning of their nursing education.
It’s a point of pride for their families, because these students have worked hard to get into nursing school,” she said. “Their families are proud of them, and we are too. We want them to feel welcomed, and acknowledge the value of the effort they’ve made to be admitted.”
It’s also a rite of passage, similar to capping ceremonies held in years past, when nurses still wore white uniforms and caps, as well as a reminder of their purpose as they enter the health care field.
It impresses on them how serious what they are doing is, so they understand what it means to take care of other human beings,” Hendricks said.
Faculty honored the achievements of the 51 students with presentation of certificates, and the class recited the Nightingale Pledge, a statement of the ethics and principles of the nursing profession, named for Florence Nightingale.
Inductees are listed by hometown. They include:
Alexandria: Aliyah Weaver
Amboy: Jessica Frazier
Andrews: Allison Molencupp
Burlington: Cameron Langston
Clayton: Megan Bridges
Delphi: Kimberly Keihn
Elwood: Alyssa Nash, Delaney Savage
Greenfield: Skylar Sweany
Greentown: Conner Buck, Taylor Hendrix, Jamie Honchell, Dalton Ryan, Cole Walker
Kokomo: Lauren Carver, Emily Donovan, Grant Gaylor, Catherine Hale, Elora Klepinger, Naomi Leuck, Tatum Manton, Shelby Myers, Jaylan Polk, Ricki Purvis, Madison Simmons, Bailey Stanley, Rabia Ummad
Lafayette: Kristin Cavaletto, Jenna Harrison
LaFontaine: Mary Guisewhite
Lapel: Mackenzi Crosley, Kylie Trimble
Logansport: Arianne Vargas, Valeria Zarate
Marion: Alicyn Gary, Kaylee Kierstead, Jasmin Reed, Samantha Simison
Mulberry: Nolan Deboy
Norcross, Georgia: Ramsey Bates
Peru: Anna Boyer, Bridgette Cattin, Holly Huneryager
Plymouth: Joshua Anders
Sharpsville: Haley Bitner
Tipton: Cassidy Clifford
Urbana: Jacob Watkins
Wabash: Jordan Sisco
Walton: Kassi Hardy
Westfield: Andrea Stephan
West Lafayette: Brianne Abrahamson
Indiana University Kokomo serves north central Indiana.