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Graduating Nurses Recognized During Pinning Ceremony at Mars Hill University

Mars Hill, NC (05/13/2022) — Mars Hill University honored the 2022 graduates of the Judge-McRae School of Nursing during a pinning ceremony on Friday, May 13, 2022. The ceremony for this year's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) graduates was held in Moore Auditorium.

The spring 2022 graduates of MHU's pre-licensure B.S.N. program are:

Lauren Allen of Barnardsville, North Carolina
Michaela Baker of Arden, North Carolina
William Brawley of Morganton, North Carolina
Brianna Broussard Tosh of Chapin, South Carolina
Sydney Craig of Greer, South Carolina
Samantha DeRosa of Flat Rock, North Carolina
Sarah Goddard of Las Vegas, Nevada
Sabrina Lunsford of Alexander, North Carolina
Leighanna Lusk Herron of Leicester, North Carolina
Charles McPherson of Apex, North Carolina
Margaret Metcalfe of Trent Woods, North Carolina
James Landry Phillips of Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Thera Powell of Weaverville, North Carolina
Cyanne Silvers of Lincolnton, North Carolina
Lualhati Smith of Mars Hill, North Carolina
Peyton Smith of Candler, North Carolina
Ty Snelson of Hot Springs, North Carolina
Abigail Sprouse of Morganton, North Carolina
Rachel Stigall of Weaverville, North Carolina

Several students received special awards:

Michaela Baker received the Academic Excellence award
Charles McPherson received the Care Provider Excellence award
James Landry Phillips received the Leadership Excellence award

Special speaker for the pinning ceremony was Clare Chambers, assistant professor of nursing. Thera Powell was the student speaker. The ceremony included an Anointing of Hands, during which assistant chaplain Rev. Andrew Hoots anointed the new nurses' hands with olive oil.

Graduating nurses received a pin which signifies their transition from the student role to the medical practice role. The tradition is said to have originated in the 1860s with Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder of modern nursing. After receiving their pins, the nurses lit lamps and recited the Nightingale/Nursing Pledge, which is an adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath taken by physicians.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Mars Hill University (Judge-McRae School of Nursing) is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org). The Judge-McRae School of Nursing and Ferguson Health Sciences Center received support from GoldenLEAF Foundation.

About Mars Hill University:

Mars Hill University is a premier private, liberal arts institution offering over 30 baccalaureate degrees, as well as master's degrees in criminal justice, elementary education, teaching, and management. Founded in 1856 by Baptist families of the region, the campus is located just 20 minutes north of Asheville in the mountains of western North Carolina.

www.mhu.edu