The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated 50 nursing graduates at the La Plata Campus last week with a time-honored pinning ceremony that allows CSM faculty to welcome their students as peers and colleagues in the field of nuring.
“Success in nursing school is not an accident or gift, it’s hard work, perseverance, hours upon hours of studying and sacrifice at many levels,” CSM Nursing Professor Linda Goodman told the graduates during the Jan. 16 ceremony.
“Today, we gather not only to honor their achievements, but also to recognize their commitment to a profession that embodies care, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence,” echoed Dean of the CSM School of Health Science Dr. Caroline Combs.
“To our graduates, you have embarked on a journey that requires intelligence, discipline, and above all, heart,” Combs continued. “You have faced the rigorous demands of your nursing education with courage and perseverance. Through long nights of study, countless clinical hours, and moments of doubt and triumph, you have proven yourselves worthy of the noble calling to serve as nurses. Today, as you receive your pins, you join a legacy of caregivers who have dedicated their lives to healing and compassion.”
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson also lauded the graduates.
“Today we celebrate your extraordinary achievements that required you to stretch and to grow in ways that you may not have imagined,” she shared. “You have exhibited strength of mind, strength of heart, and strength of will and you have proven that in fact, you can do anything you put your minds to. To all of you ‘with hands to care and hearts to serve,’ we are so honored and privileged to stand in this moment with you. Because you have chosen health occupations dedicated to serving health and well-being of each of us, we are now a stronger, healthier community entrusted to your excellent care.”
This class of nursing students was the first to begin their nursing program in the new Center for Health Sciences at the Regional Hughesville Campus when it opened in the fall of 2022.
“As we have all come together one last time, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride in us all,” said Emily Litten, the nursing student chosen to be the keynote speaker by her peers. “Despite everything, we came out on top and achieved our dream. We can now join a community of nurses who have dedicated their lives to caring and serving others. I hope you all will proudly say ‘I am a nurse’ and remember how far you have come.”
Congratulations to CSM’s nursing associate degree recipients:
- Latashia Danielle Baker
- Diana Barna
- Becky Bartram
- Lesli Bauer
- Chinar Beknazarova
- Amber Bias
- Julia Brown
- Alexa Brumley
- Rachel Burley
- Monica Carino
- Nina Marie Deceuninckvancapelle
- Samantha Lynn Delahay
- Dana Leigh Dickerson
- Lovie Antionette Dickerson
- Kristina Dube
- Alison Farrall
- Gurneet Gill
- Tasia Green
- Merresha Henry
- Hailey Howard
- Jayla Jackson
- Cheyenne Johnson
- Emma Louise Johnson
- Isha Kabia
- Ishmael Kanu
- Mike Kennedy
- Crystal Kirkland
- Kalin Lee
- Emily Litten
- Tiffany Ludke
- Meadow Mattson
- Martha Menken
- Stephanie Metzger
- Lydia Grace Morris
- Barsha Neupane-Karki
- Nedisha Oscar
- Laine Pennell
- Rebecca Pompa
- Aidan Price
- Chloe Reese
- Courtney Rice
- Carly Rodgers
- Liliana Rodriguez
- Lenora Savoy
- Carina Shields
- Tamia Taylor
- Katie Wadsworth
- Shannah Wagner
- Chloe Willett
- Christian Wolpert
- Meadow Mattson – CSM School of Health Sciences “Achievement in Nursing”
- Amber Bias – CSM School of Health Sciences “Academic Achievement in Nursing”
To see more photos from the pinning ceremony, please visit Zenfolio | College of Southern Maryland Photos | 01-2025 Nursing Recognition Event
