The first class of practical nursing candidates at CCC include: Alyson Aitken, Starr Adams, Hali Beaver, Cynthia Clough, Pilar Davis, Erin Garner, Christy Goldsmith, Alicia Grossman, Carol Hagebusch, Laura Harke, Kati Hayward, Gydel Kendrex, Maria Montgomery, Jason Niemier, Jana Sells, Laurie Songer, Samantha Sprague, Jamie Vineyard, Gina Whitley, and Lana Wright.
The nursing pinning ceremony originated in the 1860s. Florence Nightengale presented the most outstanding nursing students with a medal. The tradition was continued as Coffeyville Community College (CCC) celebrated its first class of 20 practical nursing candidates. The students attended a pinning ceremony on December 18, 2010 to celebrate their achievements in the nursing program. Registered nurse, David Wilson, gave a short speech in which he encouraged the students to find their individual talents and to use those talents to benefit their patients. Following a description of the history of the nursing pinning ceremony, students were pinned by their instructors; Nancy Garton, Heather Pollet, Renea Marion-Jones and nursing program director, Pam DiVito-Thomas. As each student was pinned, a thank-you from them was read to the audience. There were a lot of thank-yous for family, moms and kids who supported the nursing students and put up with “three nights of pizza” during some weeks. Classmates, friends, God, faculty and CCC for bringing the nursing program to Coffeyville were also popular in the student’s list of things to be grateful for in their educational journey. For many of the first class of CCC nursing students, completing the first year of their journey to becoming registered nurses was “a dream come true.” The ceremony was completed with a lighting of candles to symbolize the care and devotion to those who are sick and injured. Most of the practical nursing students will continue into the registered nursing program starting this January. A new class of practical nursing students will also start this month.