Blue Ridge Community College Honors Nursing Students at May 7 Nurse Pinning Ceremony
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. – On Wednesday, May 7, graduates of Blue Ridge Community College’s M.E. Oliphant School of Nursing gathered on the Henderson County Campus to celebrate their accomplishments at the school’s 37th Annual Nurse Pinning Ceremony.
Director of Nursing Dr. Amy Szoka said the ceremony is a time-honored tradition which represents the completion of instruction and induction into the profession. This year, 45 Blue Ridge students were pinned as part of this rite of passage.
“These graduates have demonstrated extraordinary resilience, empathy, and commitment throughout their training, and we are confident they will make a lasting impact on the lives they touch,” Szoka said. “We salute them, and all nurses, for their unwavering service and devotion to care."
The ceremony was dedicated to Renee Young, the beloved wife of Mr. Paul Young, who recently gave a generous $1 million gift to support Blue Ridge Community College’s nursing program. During Renee’s final days, the care and compassion shown by her nurses left a lasting impact on the Young family. Inspired by their professionalism, kindness, and unwavering dedication, Mr. Young chose to invest in the future of nursing education at Blue Ridge.
Dr. Laura Leatherwood, president of Blue Ridge Community College, reflected on the impact of nurses in her graduation remarks.
“Nurses are the ones we trust in our most vulnerable moments. You are there to help, to comfort, to advocate, and to heal. Whether in a hospital, clinic, or home — you meet needs while offering a steady hand and a calm voice,” Leatherwood said. “You carry people through their hardest days and most joyful recoveries. You are, in so many ways, the heartbeat of our healthcare system.”
Graduate speaker Alicia Gash gave thanks to all who helped the students reach their graduation day: instructors, donors, the Nursing School Student Government, and more. She finished her speech with a quote from The Giving Tree: “Life’s greatest treasures are found in the art of giving.”
“Because so many gave to us, so that we could give compassionate and quality care to someone else,” Gash said.
This spring, Blue Ridge Community College is accepting applications through May 19 for the Fall 2025 nursing class. More information about the program is available online at www.blueridge.edu/nursing.
The following students received pins at the pinning ceremony:
Jennifer Barnes
Lindsay Barnwell
Daniel Bass
Leslie Batchelder
Lora Bernhardt
Juliana Capps
Rachel Clay
Rebecca Crain
Elizabeth Daves
Virginia Demere*
Ashlyn Dodson
Roxanna Duarte*
Shelley Earley
Andrew Eberhardt*
Erica Flowe*
Magda Garza
Alicia Gash*
Kirsten Gosnell
Jonathan Higginbotham
Ashley Hill
Sydney Housinger*
Casey Jones
Julie Justice
Sarah Kazen
Crystal Martinez*
Summer McCarthy*
Nadia Milks
Haley Millard
Ellison Phillips
Kyra Phillips
Skylar Raines
Ian Renegar
Marisol Rodriguez*
Brittany Rodulfo*
Citlalli Sanchez Gonzalez*
Jasmine Sotelo Melendez
Stacey Stephens
Carlei Stepp
Yolanda Strong
Liudmila Suhan
Hallie West*
Sarah White*
Grace Wilkie
Collin Wilson
Ana Zamora Ledesma*
* Indicates enrollment in the WNC Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses Program (RIBN).
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About Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College is a two-year, post-secondary institution that elevates the educational experience to prepare students for 21st-century success in the workplace or at four-year colleges and universities. Providing real-life, affordable, and accessible education, the College offers more than 200 degrees, diplomas, and certificates; more than 200 online courses; and fast-tracked job training. To learn more about Blue Ridge Community College, visit blueridge.edu.
