Nursing students welcomed with traditional induction ceremony

KOKOMO, Ind. - Sixty-five students began the journey toward becoming health care professionals at the Indiana University Kokomo School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (SNAHP) traditional induction ceremony on Wednesday (August 21).

Naomi Jones, clinical assistant professor of nursing, welcomed the incoming students in the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and second-degree nursing program, sharing a quote from Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern-day nursing: "Life is a splendid gift; there is nothing small about it."

She was right, Jones said.

"This opportunity that you have been presented and have chosen to accept is the start of a wonderful journey," she said. "With this gift, you will make a difference, do great things, change lives, and even save lives. On this journey, you will have the opportunity to give a gift with the gift you have been given, and isn't that splendid? We are blessed with the opportunity to serve, to share in life's journey with others. There truly is nothing small about this wonderful privilege that you have been given to become a nurse."

Interim Dean Carolyn Townsend congratulated the students on their accomplishments and said there has never been a better time to be a nurse.

"You may have heard that nursing school is a journey," she said. "It will require hard work, perseverance, and dedication. It will be worth it. Your life will change as you move into this profession. As you work toward earning your BSN, your growth into the professional role, development of your expertise, and flourishing as a student are our priorities."

Chancellor Mark Canada also congratulated the inductees, and members of the Indiana Nurse Honor Guard welcomed them to the profession.

The new students, selected through a rigorous acceptance process, wore the red scrubs that marked them as an IU student for the first time as they each crossed the stage to receive a certificate of accomplishment. The incoming class also recited the Nursing Pledge, which is a promise to uphold the ethics of the nursing profession.

Traditional BSN inductees, listed by hometown, included:

Alexandria: Madison Carver

Amboy: Micah Leeman

Anderson: Chloe McCracken

Bringhurst: Makayla Ellis

Camden: Erika Johnson

Carmel: Jordan Culverhouse, Elysabeth Harrington, Daphne Williams

Converse: Allison Leisure

Frankfort: Stephanie Aguilar Espinoza, Marihan Hernandez, Grace Keller

Huntington: Madison Ptak, Delaney Wall

Indianapolis: Lily Tamayo-Tamayo

Kokomo: Ashley Alsup, Savannah Archer, Hannah Giles, Alana Johnson, Kailen Jones, Sierra Pixley, Marra Shook, Jocelyn Smith, Mackenzie Tedder

Lafayette: Gracie Conklin-Davis

LaFontaine: MaKenna Younce

Lebanon: Sydney Nance

Logansport: Ashlyn Berkshire, Arlene Frutos, Brianna Hernandez, Chloe Kelly, Elly Logan, Eliseo Madrigal, Emily Melgar

Marion: Taylor Godfrey

Monticello: Madelyn Finn

Noblesville: Julienne Carlile

Peru: Abigail Campbell, Tara Canady, Jillian Cooper, Alivia Hanson, Amy King, Karleigh Scheiter, Davyna Taylor

Russiaville: Lillian Fischer, Kahlani Locklear

Sheridan: Alyson Herhalt

Tipton: Emily Ashby

Students in the second-degree nursing program included:

Carmel: Bryana (Bree) Bell

Fishers: Tayah Irvin

Gas City: Christopher Lemons

Greentown: Makayla Calloway

Jonesboro: Kara Holloway,

Indianapolis: Mojisola (Moji) Adigun, Matthew Duke, My-jerrier (MJ) Lawal, Darrian Stephens

Kokomo: Audia Anders, Natoya (Toya) Douglas, Jeanne (Genny) Ingabire, Sandeep (Sandy) Kaur

Logansport: Andrea Islas, Anesia Lewis, Joseph Nieto

Westfield: Shiva Latify

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.

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