CU School of Nursing honors graduates

Christina Kern

CU School of Nursing graduates include, front, from left, Mary Wise and Kristen Wilson of Campbellsville, Jessica Ulrich of Bardstown, Jodi Tungate of Bradfordsville, Connie Robertson of Liberty, Brittany Skaggs of Mt. Sherman, Brenda Smith of Russell Springs and Kelly Stone of Greensburg. Second row, Joni Reynolds and Keely Pittman of Campbellsville, Krysta Lenington of Danville, Amanda Anderson of Campbellsville, Addie Hawkins of Magnolia, Brittany Knifley of Campbellsville and Amy Leeds, Big Clifty. Third row, James Edmonds of Campbellsville, Gary Drake of Hodgenville, Leeta Dial of Campbellsville, Sally Butler of Cecilia, Suzanne Davis of Campbellsville and Amanda Conner of Albany. Back, Christy Burriss of Greensburg, Tabatha Bryant of Russell Springs, Mary Brock of Louisville, Amanda Booher of Munfordville, Angie Atwood, assistant professor of nursing, of Greensburg, Stephanie Akin of Columbia, Cassandra Blevins of Liberty and Kymberleigh Carter of Greensburg.

Christina L. Kern

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University's School of Nursing graduated 28 students in December, the largest nursing class yet. A ceremony in December honored the graduates.

Students from Campbellsville honored include Amanda Gail Anderson, Suzanne Renee Davis, Leetta Jean Dial, James Daniel Edmonds, Brittany Elaine Knifley, Jordan Keely Rash Pittman, Joni Danielle Robinson Reynolds, Mary Frances Wise and Kristen Marie Wilson.

"Nursing is a calling," Dr. Frank Cheatham, senior vice president for academic affairs at CU, said during the ceremony. "You're not doing it for the money. It's a hard job. Thank you for accepting this calling. I look forward to having a nurse who believes this is a calling."

December CU nursing graduate Joni Reynolds of Campbellsville spoke on behalf of the class at the pinning ceremony.

"In the dictionary, a nurse is described as someone who cares for the sick. I would add dedicated, focused, critical thinkers, large bladders, maybe slightly insane and passionate. We have practiced this passion for two years.

"School gives you the framework. After one day of work, you can lay one brick to represent how much you've learned in that day. So lay your bricks and never forget what you've learned," Reynolds said.

Dr. Bob Wade, dean of the School of Nursing, presented special awards to students at the pinning ceremony.

Kristen Wilson of Campbellsville received the clinical excellence award.

Wade said 52,000 students graduated from nursing programs this year. The national average test score among these graduates is 847. CU's average is above the national average with 897. James Edmonds of Campbellsville scored the highest at CU with a score of 1,103.

Students were pinned by family members and friends, and received the Blessing of the Hands by Dr. James Jones, pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Campbellsville.