Nevada Crowder graduates 66

In ceremonies held at the main campus in Neosho, Mo., on Saturday, May 23, Crowder College's Nevada Campus graduated 66 students, a record number of graduates in one semester, said Campus Director Donna Thomas.

"Nevada was well-represented in all areas of academic achievement," said Thomas. "We graduated our second class of nurses as well as students with degrees in business, education, and general studies. We're certainly proud of all our graduates and wish them continued success in their transfer schools or new careers."

In addition, several Nevada students were recognized for their academic achievement during the commencement exercises and at an Honors Breakfast held prior to graduation. Pamela Straw, a Sheldon resident was named the outstanding Office Administration student campus wide, and Jamie Nicole Summers, El Dorado Springs, received the award for outstanding General Studies major. Summers was one of an elite group of students who completed her coursework with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Representing the Nevada Campus as the Outstanding Nevada Student was Jennifer Morrison, also of El Dorado Springs. Selection of the outstanding local student was difficult, according to Thomas, given the excellent academic performance of a number of graduates. However, Morrison was selected based not only on academic achievement but also for her involvement in campus activities the past two years. As a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year schools, Morrison participated in numerous community service projects.

"Jennifer was instrumental in the success of PTK's bake sales, our biggest fundraising project," said Janet Reed, student services coordinator and PTK Sponsor. "She helped coordinate two bake sales each academic year, solicited donations from community grocery stores, and also helped direct the proceeds from those bake sales to community organizations, such as Rest Haven Nursing Home in El Dorado Springs and Community Outreach's family adoption for Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Nevada also graduated 25 nursing students and celebrated with them and their families at a Pinning Ceremony held on Friday night, May 22, at the First Christian Church in Nevada.

According to Thomas, pinning is unique to nursing programs. In this ceremony, graduating nurses receive the pin of their profession from family members, friends, and instructors who have been instrumental in helping them accomplish their degree program.

Receiving top honors in the nursing program were students Anna Gane, Rebekah Reasoner, Justin Simrell, Marina Denmark, and Patricia Olmstead. Anna Gane, also an El Dorado Springs resident, and Rebekah Reasoner of Walker, both graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA, were given the James T. Payne Award for high academic achievement.

The top nursing student on the Nevada Campus was Justin Simrell, also of Walker. In presenting Simrell with a certificate, Director of Nursing D'Ann Dennis, noted that Simrell always pursued learning opportunities beyond the assignment, looked for additional treatment options, and set a high standard for his nursing class.

The Representative RN Award was given to Marina Denmark, El Dorado Springs, and the MLN Outstanding Nurse Award went to Patricia Olmstead of Nevada. Nursing graduates who have completed all of the required courses for graduation will be taking state board examinations in June 2009, and Dennis predicts a high pass rate. Dennis told Friday night's audience that this class of nurses was truly excellent, had worked hard and well together, and was prepared to provide quality patient care as soon as they passed their state exams.

Thirty-four Nevada students graduated with Associate of Arts degrees. Those students are: Afton Baldwin, Nevada; Tasha Marie Bell, Schell City; Andria Borsody, Nevada; Dana Jo Boultinghouse, Rich Hill; Brant J. Brower, Schell City; Erin Nicole Budd, El Dorado Springs; KA'Sandra Burchell, Nevada; Angela Nicole Davis, Nevada; Venus Day-Ingalzi, Golden City; Melissa DeTienne, Rich Hill; Kristi R. Gaylord, Butler; Brenda B. Gazaway, Nevada; Maranda Rae Gerster, Nevada; Austin Gooden, El Dorado Springs; Kayla Marie Grant, Nevada; Madeline Grace Hardin, Nevada; Danielle Marie Howard, Joplin; Amy Johnson, El Dorado Springs; Brice Lee Leonard, Nevada; Robin M. Mooney, El Dorado Springs; Angie L. Morrison, Rich Hill; Jennifer Morrison, El Dorado Springs; Dereck J. Palmer, El Dorado Springs; Vickie L. Scism, Nevada; Joshua L. Smith, Nevada; Madeline C. Sneed, Sheldon; Robert C. Sparks, Lamar; Heather Lynn Stacy, El Dorado Springs; Jamie Nicole Summers, El Dorado Springs; Loretta Lynn Terpening, Rich Hill; Kenneth Walker, Joplin; Jeremy Lee Watkins, El Dorado Springs; Crystal G. Whitaker, El Dorado Springs; Miranda Whitten, Carthage.

Four Nevada students graduated with an Associate of Arts, Teacher Education degree: Amanda Rachelle Ashlock, El Dorado Springs; Terri Baldwin, Lamar; Marty Higgins McPeak, Sheldon; and Klarisa Gail Norman, El Dorado Springs. Two Associate of Applied Science Degrees were awarded to John Martin, Lamar, and Pamela Straw, Sheldon.

Associate of Science Degrees were conferred upon the following 25 students: Sandy Armstrong, Nevada; Carla Bettels, Butler; Marina Denmark, El Dorado Springs; Amy Drilling, Milo; Pamela M. Estle, Pierce City; Alisha Fanning, Nevada; Anna Gane, El Dorado Springs; Melissa Gould, Nevada; Teresa Hand, Bronaugh; Patsy J. Hudson, Carl Junction; Julia Jeffries, Nevada; Deborah Kersey, Galena, Kan.; Jessica Lee, Sarcoxie; Ryan N. Lewis, Fort Scott, Kan.; Kelly Locke, Sheldon; Karen Minich, Appleton City; Patricia Olmstead, Nevada; Rebekah Reasoner, Walker; Jacqueline Shouse, Nevada; Shasta Simpson, Liberal; Justin Simrell, Walker; Kenneth Walker, Joplin; Savanna Westhusing, Montrose; and Miranda Whitten, Carthage.