Wednesday, December 17, 2003
PRCC'S ADN program graduates 30 

    POPLARVILLE - Thirty graduates from Pearl River Community College's Associate Degree Nursing Program marched into Moody Hall Auditorium this Wednesday wearing their white uniforms for the first time as nurses.  The graduating students participated in a traditional nametag pinning ceremony, lighted their Nightingale Lamps, and recited the Nightingale Nursing Pledge.
    ADN graduate Mesha Eichelberger of Hattiesburg gave the graduating class speech.  Eichelberger congratulated her fellow students on their achievement and thanked the nursing instructors.  "Our instructors demanded and expected more than the average, and they encouraged us to think beyond what was in the books."
    Nursing graduates Mia Ladner of Perkinston gave the invocation, Lorraine Weaver of Carriere gave the benediction, and Mainet Fairley of Hattiesburg provided the music.  Peggy Dease, the Associate Degree Nursing director; Belinda Holden, coordinator of sophomore nursing; and Patricia Strebeck, coordinator of freshman nursing, presented pins to the students.
    In her closing remarks, Dease told the students that they had a crucial calling as nurses.  "Like the flames on your lamps, let your light of knowledge and dedication shine on your patients.  Someone's life depends upon you.  That is why we work hard to teach you everything we know."

    The graduates (by hometown) include:

BOGALUSA, La. - Jodi E. Magee. 
CARRIERE - Dianne L. Galloway, Timothy Scott Thigpen, Lorraine H.
Weaver.
COLUMBIA - Delma R. Curtis, Katherine R. Howell, Stacy L. Robertson.
HATTIESBURG - Patricia A. Chevis, Aimee L. Crowley, Melton D. Drennan,
Mesha L. Eichelberger, Mainet Fairley, Betty J. Lombard, Elizabeth A.
Poling, Katrina E. Porter, Sky Williams.
LUMBERTON - Donna Jo Knight, Tabatha L. Raine.
NEW AUGUSTA - Donna S. Courtney.
PERKINSTON - Kayla M. Ardoin, Mia J. Ladner.
PICAYUNE - Kimberly A. Johnson, Jessica C. Ladner, David B. McNease,
Jr., Miranda A. Reeves, Roshundra Stallings.
POPLARVILLE - Theresa A. Becnel, Eugene Steven Crisostomo, Mark E.
Dunnam.
PURVIS - Candice Cagle.