Winter 2021 Nursing Commencement
Kettering College Nursing program hosted its first Winter Pinning and Commencement ceremony. The event was held on November 16, 2021, at the Kettering Adventist Church in Kettering, OH. The college conferred degrees upon 42 graduates. In addition, for the first time in the program’s history, 100% of these Winter 2021 nursing graduates have already completed and passed their ATI licensure exam. They are now fully equipped and ready for their NCLEX exam.
This graduating class began their journey in January 2020, unknowingly approaching the country’s most trying times. Many people hear of the level of difficulty obtaining a degree in health care can be, though completing this program during a nationwide pandemic at times felt impossible. Joan Uloth, Professor in the Nursing Division, wanted to especially thank the graduates for sticking through it during so much uncertainty and “entertaining instructional strategies.”
Through it all, these graduates were still able to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing successfully and the 100% pass rate of the ATI licensure exam pass demonstrates the level quality of the Kettering College nursing education as well as the persistence of this graduating class.
At commencement, Kettering Health presented the graduates with a stethoscope, noting that the most important key to patient care is listening to your patient and ultimately “connecting to their heart”. An inspirational address, titled “Healing through Hope and Connection” was given by Jennifer Schull, System Chief Nursing Officer at Kettering Health.
Graduate, Stephanie Moore, gave the tribute at the ceremony. During her tribute speech, she thanked family for their help and support while going through a pandemic and completing nursing school.
Our class learned more than what is printed in the textbooks. We have finally reached the end of tunnel that we dreamed so much about.
Stephanie Moore, BSN
During the ceremony, the graduates expressed so much joy and relief. During the Conferral of Degrees presented by President Nate Brandstater, he stated “Your class has done things no other Kettering College class has ever done. Congratulations.”
The ceremony capacity was limited due to COVID-19 precautions and social distancing. In lieu of the invite-only event, the ceremony was live-streamed for friends and family to watch remotely. The full ceremony can be viewed here.
