July 29, 2025

A commencement ceremony for graduates of East Mississippi Community College’s Practical Nursing program on the Golden Triangle campus took place July 29  in the Lyceum Auditorium.

Director of Nursing Programs and Associate Dean of Health Sciences Jamonicia Johnson provided the welcome.

“The pinning ceremony is a long-standing tradition symbolizing the transition from nursing student to professional nurse,” Johnson said. “It is a symbol of excellence, compassion and dedication, the qualities that define the nursing profession. As each of you receive your pin today, it is not just a badge of honor. It is a reminder of the incredible responsibility you have chosen to embrace.”

The guest speaker was Sam Ivy, director of Collegiate Ministries at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.

“You are blossoming into a new season and beginning a race that requires endurance,” Ivy said. “I hope you will run it with purpose. It truly is more than a job. Being a nurse is a purpose-driven life.”

EMCC Vice President of Instruction Dr. James Rush and Vice President of Career Technical and Workforce Education Dr. Michael Busby confirmed the graduates. Rush presented the students with their certificates. During the ceremony, family members of the students affixed nursing pins to their lapels.

Several awards were presented during the ceremony by Practical Nursing instructors Jemeica Arnold, Reginald Askew and Michelle Melton.

Melton presented Practical Nursing graduate Lillie Nave with the Nightingale Award.

“This is the highest award that can be received in a program of nursing,” Melton said. “We give the Nightingale Award to one student who has shown excellence in clinicals and has been a student that others look up to for their caring and compassion in all areas of nursing. This person exhibits concern and compassion for the class as well as patients.”

Nave also garnered a Clinical Excellence Award and was recognized as a member of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nurses Honor Society, which is the honor society for members of the Student Nursing Association for Practical Nursing Students (SPNA).

Other Clinical Excellence Award recipients were Jada Burton, Shauntavus Grace, Erica Lovato, Tamara Thompson and Danielle Webb-Bell.

“The Clinical Excellence Award is awarded to students that show outstanding clinical skills, excellence in communication and documentation, excellence in patient education and show learning independence in the clinical area,” Arnold said.

Other members of the National Association of Licensed Practical Nursing Honor Society are Lauren Bell and Dyamond Jones.

Lauren Bell received the Scholastic Achievement Award for earning the highest GPA in the graduating class. Tamara Thompson received the Leadership and Service Award.

“The Leadership and Service Award is awarded to a student that demonstrates leadership abilities throughout nursing school, shows potential for leadership in the profession, is actively involved in SPNA, shows an enthusiastic commitment to the profession of nursing and demonstrates service to the profession, to the community and to the college,” Askew said.

Officers of the SPNA were also recognized during the ceremony. They are Baylee Smith Craven (president), Tamiya Gunter (treasurer), and photographers Kennedy Blair, Alivia Coleman and Takiya Wilson.

Craven provided the invocation.

“Standing at the threshold of a nursing career, let us take a moment to appreciate how far we have come,” Craven said. “We have overcome numerous challenges, endured sleepless nights of studying and pushed through difficult, unpaid clinical rotations. And yet, ever sacrifice has led us to this moment, ready to step into the profession we have worked so hard for.”

The graduates who were members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society are Shakira Brooks, Baylee Smith Craven, Breanna Jackson, Dyamond Jones and Brezeona Mosely.

The Class of 2025 Practical Nursing graduates are: Lauren Bell of Crawford, Kennedy Blair of Columbus, Shakira Brooks of Columbus, Lakayla Brewer of Starkville, Jada Burton of Aberdeen, Alivia Coleman of Columbus, Amia Corbitt of Calhoun City, Baylee Smith Craven of West Point, Kandace Dawning-Peters of Woodland, Brittany Goodwin of Columbus, Shauntavus Grace of Meridian, Tamiya Gunter of Columbus, Ramerian Hamilton of Vicksburg, Syerra Harper of Columbus, Normea Henderson of Starkville, Tiffany Hornesbuger of Louisville, BreAnna Jackson of Columbus, Kiansha Johnson of Columbus, Dyamond Jones of Starkville, Erica Lovato of Columbus, Brezeona Mosley of Ackerman, Joni Mosley of DeKalb, Lillie Nave of Starkville, Peyton Sims of Bay Springs, Mikeyia Strong of West Point, Tamara Thompson of Houston, Danielle Webb-Bell of Mantee and Takiya Wilson of Columbus.