WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 5, 2022— West Liberty University nursing students preparing to graduate this Saturday took part in the annual pinning ceremony today to mark their admission into the profession field of nursing.
The WLU Nursing Pinning Ceremony took place at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 5 in Kelly Theatre. Twenty-four students participated.
Department Chair Dr. Rose Kutlenios, welcomed graduates and guests. President Dr. W. Franklin Evans then delivered his opening remarks and congratulated the nurses on a job well done.
The Class of 2022 nursing graduates earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree include: Zachary Banks, St. Clairsville, Ohio; Marissa Beal, Bridgeport, Ohio; Lauren Bonar, McMechen, W.Va.; Hannah Burgess, Wheeling, W.Va.; Claire Dieffenbaugher, Wheeling, W.Va.; Mackenzie Drake, Paden City, W.Va.; Erin Edwards, St. Clairsville, Ohio; Autumn Gossett, Moundsville, W.Va.; Morgan Hicks, New Cumberland, W.Va.; Bailey Lyons, Glen Easton, W.Va.; Maggie Lyons, Cameron, W.Va.; Marques McHaffie, Chester, W.Va.; Kylie McKennen, Triadelphia, W.Va.; Briana Mills, Buckeye, Ohio; Carly Pajak, Wheeling, W.Va.; Savannah Popp, Bethel Park, Pa.; Corbin Rutan, Wheeling, W.Va.; Sydney Schumacher, Elkins, W.Va. and Alexis Williams, Benwood, W.Va.
Graduates earning the RN to BSN degree include: Trista Beatty, West Alexander, Pa.; Lisa Glover, New Martinsville, W.Va.; Debbie Helms, Wheeling, W.Va.; Kristina Liberati, Shadyside, Ohio and Elizabeth Purdy, Moundsville, W.Va.
Student speakers were Marques McHaffie and Alexis Williams.
The pinning ceremony was led by Dr. Kutlenios. All graduates also recited the professional nurse’s pledge by Marion G. Howell, R.N. Awards were then presented to several seniors, listed below:
- Wheeling Hospital Human Touch Award: Alexis Williams;
- Wheeling Hospital Sally H. Eberhard Award: Maggie Lyons;
- The Eastern Star Award: Lisa Glover.
Before closing the program, the Dean of the College of Sciences, Dr. Karen Kettler took the podium and congratulated the students as she offered her personal congratulations. Closing remarks were made by Vice President of Academic Affairs/Interim Provost Dr. Cathy Monteroso.
WLU’s nursing program consistently ranks as one of the best in the region and it was recently the recipient of a major grant from West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program.
Because of this grant, new funding is available to assist students with tuition and fees for incoming students in both the traditional nursing baccalaureate program and the BA-BS to BSN or second-degree program.
For more information on WLU’s Nursing Program, please attend the May 20, 2022 Open House, taking place in Campbell Hall of Health Sciences, from 8:30 a.m. – noon. To register, please visit the website: westliberty.edu/nursing or call 304.336.8108.