Six Nursing Graduates Earn Butler Community College, KU BSN Nursing Degrees

El Dorado, Kan. – “That’s my girl!” “Mom!” “We love you!” were shouts from the crowd May 16 at Butler Community College’s Nurses pinning ceremony. During the event, 66 graduates became nurses.

Of that group, six graduates also received their University of Kansas BSN degree as part of a Butler associate degree in nursing (ADN) and KU Nursing partnership launched in 2016. During the ceremony, Dylan Walker of Wichita, Kan.; Brittany Grabill of Wichita, Kan.; Sonia Nelson, Andover, Kan.; Vanessa Norwood-Kiddey, Herington, Kan.; Leeann Sanchez, Andover, Kan. and Joseph Stroud of Wichita, Kan. were bestowed their KU Nursing cords by Christy Streeter, Dean of Health, Education and Public Services.

These six students are the second class to graduate as part of the nursing-school partnership. Each individual entered the Butler and KU Nursing programs at the same time, simultaneously completing face-to-face course work at Butler and receiving online instruction through the KU Nursing program. With the aid of faculty members from each college, students received both their associate degree in nursing and their bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The ceremony included a welcoming address from Dr. Beth Eagleton, Butler Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, and greetings from Jim Howell, Butler Board of Trustee member; Kim Krull, Ph.D., president of Butler Community College; and Lori Winningham, vice president of Academic Affairs.

Since 1965, hundreds of Butler graduates have received a pin upon graduating with an Associate of Applied Sciences in nursing degree. The pinning practice of nurses began in the late 19th century in London. By 1880, this symbolic rite was brought to Bellevue Hospital in New York city. Since then, the practice has become commonplace at nursing school graduations.

The graduating class also had the pleasure of hearing from Linda Winzer, a 1969 Butler Nursing graduate. Winzer and her family have a long history with Butler as her husband, and children are also graduates. She reminisced about how, 50 years ago, the nursing program had only a single classroom in a building they shared with the auto body program, and that tuition was only $2 per unit at the time.

She offered a few tips for the class. “Most importantly, take care of yourself. You can’t take care of your family or your patients, if you don’t take care of yourself.”

Class President Dylan Walker of Wichita, Kan., addressed his fellow classmates, family and faculty.

Walker captured memories of the class, obstacles and struggles they all endured together. Never forget why you chose this, he told them.

“Often nursing is described as the profession that chooses the person,” Walker said. “The person does not choose the profession. It is no small feat to be able to call yourself a nurse.” He added, “They are positioned at the bedside, where people are so vulnerable…The connection they have with patients is undeniable.”

Besides receiving graduate nursing pins, the following recognitions were presented:

American Red Cross

Three graduates were recognized for volunteer efforts by members of the American Red Cross, Central Plains Blood Services Region.

Medical Reserves Corps Award

Four graduates also completed an online program for Public Health Preparedness and Flu Clinic Volunteer work.

Mentoring Program

Five students were commended by Butler faculty for participating in a mentoring program that enables third and fourth semester nursing students to mentor first and second semester nursing students.

Nursing Graduates by Hometown: (all awards denoted, see award legend below)

Tiphanie James (Andover, Kan.)

Ashley Matthews (Andover, Kan.)

Sonia Nelson (Andover, Kan.), KU BSN Graduate

Leeann Sanchez (Andover, Kan.), KU BSN Graduate

Kayla Walker (Andover, Kan.), 2nd Year Vice President

Cassandra McGowan (Arkansas City, Kan.), BSNA Secretary, +

Taylor Unruh (Augusta, Kan.)

Jordan Sadler (Caldwell, Kan.) LPN

LeAnn Metzger (Clearwater, Kan.)

Laura Schneider (Colwich, Kan.), BSNA President, MRC, M

Kyla Beasley (Derby, Kan.)

Charlotte Brooks (Derby, Kan.)

Jolinda Mierny (Derby, Kan.)

Julissa Valtierra (Derby, Kan.)

Erin-Kate Gomez (El Dorado, Kan.)

Anna Stanley (Emporia, Kan.)

Kayla Albert (Goddard, Kan.)

Nicole Birk (Gridley, Kan.)

Andrea Coslett (Haysville, Kan.), +, M

Sarah Grow (Haysville, Kan.), BSNA Treasurer, +, MRC

Vanessa Norwood-Kiddey (Herington, Kan.), KU BSN Graduate

Joyce Ochs (Jetmore, Kan.)

Heather Roy (Mulvane, Kan.)

Angelica Cool (Park City, Kan.)

Kaitlyn DeLong (Park City, Kan.)

Sara Wilson (Park City, Kan.)

Katelyn Benson (Peabody, Kan.)

Audrey White-Dold (Strong City, Kan.)

Melissa Koss, M (Valley Center, Kan.)

Abigail McComb (Wellington, Kan.)

Dominique Adkins (Wichita, Kan.)

Aneesha Ali (Wichita, Kan.)

Patricia Atencio (Wichita, Kan.)

Trent Baalman (Wichita, Kan.)

Shannon Chilcott (Wichita, Kan.), M

Kyle Clement (Wichita, Kan.)

Kelly A. Davis (Wichita, Kan.), +, MRC

Peyton Earp (Wichita, Kan.)

Ashley Fletcher (Wichita, Kan.)

Mary Gonzalez (Wichita, Kan.)

Brittany Grabill (Wichita, Kan.), KU BSN Graduate, M

Stacey Hatcher (Wichita, Kan.)

Jennifer Haynes (Wichita, Kan.)

Holly Hull (Wichita, Kan.), M

Beth Huseman (Wichita, Kan.)

Tiffany Huskey (Wichita, Kan.)

Elizabeth Jaderston (Wichita, Kan.)

Sharon Kiplimo (Wichita, Kan.)

Monica Linares (Wichita, Kan.)

Joseph Mboma (Wichita, Kan.)

Bailey McGee (Wichita, Kan.)

Erin Miller (Wichita, Kan.)

Amy Noel (Wichita, Kan.)

Sonny Nola (Wichita, Kan.)

Randell Poole (Wichita, Kan.), M

John Potvin (Wichita, Kan.)

Staci Rhodes (Wichita, Kan.)    

Aaron Roy (Wichita, Kan.)

Amanda Schulze (Wichita, Kan.), MRC, M

Patricia Sells (Wichita, Kan.)

Sabrun Alexis Steward (Wichita, Kan.)

Ryleigh Stone (Wichita, Kan.)

Joseph Stroud (Wichita, Kan.), KU BSN Graduate, MRC

Carolyn Thomas (Wichita, Kan.), M

Van Tran (Wichita, Kan.)

Dylan Walker (Wichita, Kan.), 2nd Year President, BSNA Vice President, KU BSN Graduate, +, MRC, M,

 

KU – Butler ASN graduate and KU Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate

BSNA – Butler Student Nursing Association officers

+ – American Red Cross Recognition

MRC – Medical Reserves Corps Award Recipients

M – Mentoring Recognition