A historic moment for Brownwood took place Thursday evening as the first ever class of Registered Nurses graduated from Ranger College with associate’s degrees. A pinning and lamp ceremony was also held after the graduation.
Twenty-nine students initially enrolled in the program, 23 of these graduated Thursday night and are now candidates to become Registered Nurses after they complete state medical board exams. Thirteen of these are honor graduates.
Robert Porter gave the commencement address and stated to the class that they are a part of history.
“I hope you realize how truly special you are. Not only in the fact that you have worked hard for two years to get to this day of graduation, but also for the fact that you are the first, the very first graduating class, there will never be another first graduating class,” Porter said. “This will always be your distinction because you will be the only first graduating class of Ranger College School of Nursing.”
Porter explained the history of establishing the Ranger College School of Nursing in Brown County and how city leaders, Ranger College officials, Brownwood Regional Medical Center, the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation, and State Representative Jim Keffer worked together to make it a reality in just two years.
The establishment of a nursing program in Brown County was a very desperately needed program because of the shortage of nurses in the area and the need for nurses across the country, Porter explained. At that time, local medical facilities were recruiting out of state and even Canadian nurses to fill these positions, said Porter.
Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes spoke during the pinning ceremony and reminded the graduates of their new roles in the community and thanked them for the difference they will make in the lives of those they care for in the future and the difference their education and new career makes for their own families.
“If I were your family or loved ones, this is what I would say: Thank you, thank you for choosing to make your life better, thank you for choosing education over poverty, thank you for choosing a profession that is honorable, and thank you for choosing a profession that helps people.”
He explained that Brownwood is blessed to have a four year technical college and a two year college with a nursing program.
“This community is about progress and that for nursing students it is about helping people,” said Haynes. “Wherever you go, don’t forget that you got your education in Brown County and that you represent education in Brown County.”
Below is a photogallery of the event along with a list of the graduates.
{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=414|
limitstart=0|limitcount=1|detail=1|displayname=1|
displaydetail=1|imageshadow=shadow1}
Graduates include the following:
Associates of Arts
Susana Elsa Madrigal, Cisco, TX
Carley Jordan Schoen, Keller, TX
Associates of Science
Amanda Jean Collins, Muleshoe, TX
Associate of Applied Science Registered Nursing
Kimberly Lynne Akin, Comanche, TX
Catherine Mae Ballenger, San Angelo, TX
Ashley Kendria Bishop, Brownwood, TX
Nohemi Cavazos-Espinoza, Early, TX
Paige Morgan Cook, Early, TX
Cari Diane Courtney, Ranger, TX
Michael Craig Davis, Abilene, TX
Eric Andrew Fleck, Prescott, AZ
Kathryn Suzane Gebhardt, Bangs, TX
Lorie DeAnn Grimshaw, Comanche, TX
Shannon Denise Haardt, DeLeon, TX
Dwayne Lewis Harris, Brownwood, TX
Laura Ruth Anne Hullum, Early, TX
Kedra LeAnn Kellar, Ranger, TX
Molly Michelle Kennedy, Eastland, TX
Theresa Nina Mayfield, Abilene, TX
Wendy Anne Reed, Stephenville, TX
Kelcee Lynn Ribble, May, TX
Jason James Snedegar, Bangs, TX
Angelica M. Villanueva, Eastland, TX
