January 9, 2008
Students Graduate from NETC and Enter the Workforce as LPNs

Students completing the practical nursing program at Northeastern Technical College (NETC) were formally “pinned” and recognized recently at a ceremony in front of nearly 200 family, friends, and college administrators gathered on the campus of NETC Cheraw.

Sandra Barbour, vice president for instruction started off the ceremony commending the students and their families for their hard work and support.

“We are here to recognize the hard work, dedication and achievement of these students,” she said.  “But we are also here to honor your families who have made sacrifices to support you as you pursued this pathway to a nursing career”.

Carrie Rhyne, of Chesterfield, president of the 2007 practical nursing class also emphasized the role of family during her response speech.

“This has been a rewarding year and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the family and friends who are here tonight to celebrate with us,” she said.  “Thank you for giving us an extra shoulder to help us get things done and to cry on during the challenging times.”

It is a tradition for practical nursing graduates to choose a speaker for their pinning ceremony who they feel made the greatest contribution to their education.  This year, the graduates chose John Mountain, a certified registered nurse anesthetist who is an independent practitioner at Marlboro Park Hospital in Bennettsville.  Mountain emphasized the important role graduates will have in the health care system.

“You are the eyes and the ears of the primary health care providers,” he said.  “Your observations will serve as a guide to the care your patients receive so be aware, always update your knowledge base and go forward tonight with purpose and dedication to your patients and yourself.”

Mountain also encouraged the graduates to remember those who have supported their educational pursuit.

“You have arrived at a great point in your life but be sure you express gratitude to your teachers, family and friends who have helped you to get here,” he said. 

Three of the fifteen graduates were recognized with special awards during the ceremony.  The Jean L. Harris Award for Outstanding Clinical Performance was presented to Cierra Campbell, of Bennettsville, for the positive attitude and caring she expressed toward patients and their families during her clinical rotation. 

Melissa Hampton, of Pageland, received the NETC Award for Practical Nursing Academic Excellence for her outstanding performance in the classroom and knowledge of nursing skills.

The highlight of the pinning ceremony came when each graduate received a specially-designed NETC nursing pin, worn as part of the nurse’s uniform, along with a symbolic lamp representing the nursing profession.  The pin and lamp are the traditional symbols of completion of a nursing education program.  After the presentation, the graduates recited the Nightingale Pledge and were formally presented to the audience by Barbour. 

The following graduates received pins and lamps during the ceremony (listed in order of the photo line up):

Front Row (left to right):
Terri Wright, instructor, Ann Platt, of Bennettsville; Tracey Mack, of Darlington; Cierra Campbell, of Bennettsville; Carrie Rhyne, of Chesterfield; Jennifer Yuen, of Blythewood; Pam King, instructor.

Middle Row (left to right):
Anita Crawford, instructor; Melissa Hampton, of Pageland; Misty Polston, of Bennettsville; Mary Funderburk, of Hartsville; Amelia Baker, of Chesterfield; Sherry Bunting, of Cheraw; Cheryl Douglas, instructor.

Back Row (left to right)
Kelley Morton, of Chesterfield; Casey Quick, of Cheraw; Samantha McAllister, of Timmonsville; Cynthia Gee, of Darlington; Michael Roscoe, of Chesterfield.