DOWAGIAC — Southwestern Michigan College’s 28-member spring 2018 class received associate degrees in nursing pins May 5 in the theatre of the Dale A. Lyons Building on the Dowagiac campus.

Graduates included: Jacob Allen, Niles; April Brown, Kalamazoo; Valerie Emerson, Elkhart; Jamie Furey, Three Rivers; Olivia Hack, Edwardsburg; Alexandria Hemphill, Buchanan; Elfriede Hurd, Galien; Cerita Johnson, Covert; Fedilia Kale, Elkhart; Kaitlyn Koning, Benton Harbor; Allison Krawczak, Three Rivers; Danielle Martinez, Dowagiac; Alexis Meahl, Buchanan; Jada Meahl, Buchanan; Jessica Medrano, Cassopolis; Sydney Moore, Niles; Kelsey Mosier, Niles; Amber Ostrom, Dowagiac; Jenna Proud, Buchanan; Carl Rittenour, Berrien Springs; Mikaela Schuhknecht, Buchanan; Nattalee Smith, Dowagiac; Nicholas Smith, St. Joseph; Andrea Suetkamp, Mishawaka; Lauren Westcomb, Three Rivers; Holly Wilson, Elkhart; Andria Wolske, Eau Claire; and Michelle Wright, Three Rivers.

David Fleming, vice president of instruction, reminded the graduates of the life-long connection they have made with each other and their faculty.

“Understand the tremendous relationship you have with your faculty,” Fleming said. “You have a great support group of your faculty and among each other. That’s the beauty of nursing school.”

Those faculty members include Debbie Green, RN, MSN, Chair; April Chew, RN, MSN; Rona Goodrich, RN, MSN; Dr. Melissa Kennedy, RN, DNP; Jeanie Mitchel, RN, MSN, MA; Peggylee Myers, RN, BSN; Joseph Nuncio, RN, MSN; Dr. Lynda Pence, RN, DNP; Yolanda Roche, RN, MSN; Jodi Tidey, RN, MSN; Erin Russell, RN, BSN; and Amber Villwock, RN, MSN, who assisted in presenting graduates with certificates and pins.

Dean Rebecca Jellison of the School of Nursing and Health Services presented Westcomb with the Florence Nightingale Award, which embodies selflessness, compassion, thoughtfulness, team play, dependability, generosity and humility, as voted by her classmates.

“This person should have a huge heart and is always there to offer a hand to anyone and everyone who needs one,” Jellison said.

Southwestern Michigan College is a public, residential and commuter community college founded in 1964. The college delivers above-average graduation/transfer rates compared to other community colleges nationally and student college-level course success that is consistently in the top 25 percent of two-year colleges nationally. SMC strives to be the college of first choice, to provide the programs and services that meet the needs of students and to serve our community. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges.

Learn more at swmich.edu or email mediarelations@swmich.edu.