Submitted by UARM
In a tradition that dates back to the mid-1880’s, UA Rich Mountain held its pinning ceremony for the college’s LPN Class of 2019 on Thursday, July 1 in the Ouachita Center on campus. The time-honored pinning ceremony signifies membership in a proud and loyal society of nurses. Nurses are an important part of the global healthcare workforce.
Representing the LPN Class of 2021 were: Angela Looney, Teaira Sims, Skiliera Ward, Brooke Hastey, Kelly Richmond, Tiffanie Owens, Amber Bissell, Caleb Avila, Vallie Barnett, Chandie Mitchell, Hailey Tackett, Conner McDermott, Sara Pleitner, John McIntyre, Haley Castillo, Monica Turner, Charity Titsworth, Belen Vasquez, Barbara Bernard, Mikala Austin, and Emily Wilhite.
Charla Hollin, UA Rich Mountain’s Allied Health Division Chair, noted how sentimental the pinning ceremony is not only tradition and symbolic, it is also more intimate for the students and their friends/families, even beyond the graduation ceremonies.
As part of the ceremony, they have a lamp lighting, inspired by Florence Nightingale, who used a lamp to light her way as she made her rounds to the sick. To the injured, her visits brought feelings of comfort and friendliness. The bright flame has come to symbolize knowledge, enlightenment, experience and hope.
This time-honored pinning ceremony signifies membership in a proud and loyal society of nurses, who are an important part of the global healthcare workforce.
The UARM Nursing Program was recently recognized as the #2 program in the state by Best Value Schools: https://www.bestvalueschools.org/lpn-programs-in-arkansas/ due to the graduates’ high pass rate on state licensure exams.
Chancellor Phillip Wilson commended the class for their determination, noting the increased challenges of their academic year brought on by the on-going pandemic. “The front line is gaining an exceptionally well-trained and dedicated group of professionals.”
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Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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