School of Nursing Salutes MC Class of 2010

MC nursing students working this year's Health Fair held at the Baptist Healthplex

Katherine Nugent and her nursing school classmates enjoyed a memorable graduation day at Texas Woman's University. They celebrated the occasion at picnic and bonfire. Many burned their uniforms following that commencement decades ago.

“We were through,” Nugent said Friday at Mississippi College's School of Nursing commencement at Swor Auditorium. “I had no idea of the many opportunities that would come my way.”

Nugent began work in her profession as a pediatric nurse who now serves as director of the University of Southern Mississippi School of Nursing. She was honored as the recipient of the Mississippi Nursing Association's 2009 Administrator of the Year Award.

The associate dean for USM's College of Health, Nugent encouraged members of MC's Class of 2010 to develop dreams, goals and targets. “Your climb in nursing will be full of opportunities,” she said. “Your generation will define the practice of the future.”

A total of 36 students received bachelor of science degrees in nursing. Thirty of the new grads are Mississippians. There were three students from Tennessee, two from China and one from California.

President Lee Royce, MC School of Nursing Dean Mary Jean Padgett and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ron Howard were among the school leaders on hand for the first of MC's five spring graduations. “You are one of the biggest classes we've had,” Padgett said.

Graduation day for the School of Nursing concluded with a series of photos with family members in the lobby of Nelson Hall. Others posed for pictures on the Quad on a warm spring day.

“I will miss it,” said Christina Mullin of Oxford after getting her MC nursing degree. “It's a real good school - I got a quality education.”

Mullin will continue her job search, and hopes to end up with a nursing position soon at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.

Another nursing school graduate Katrina Kennebrew of Ridgeland doesn't have any job worries. She's already working on the nursing staff at Baptist Medical Center in Jackson. An MC education is a family tradition for Kennebrew. Both her parents, Gwen and Don Causey of Madison are MC graduates - her mother in nursing and her father in business.

Graduation ceremonies continued Friday night. Psychology professor Michael Mann will speak at the graduate school ceremonies.

Third District U.S. Rep. Gregg Harper, a 1978 MC chemistry graduate, will address two commencement programs for undergraduates Saturday. The first program in the A.E. Wood Coliseum begins at 10 a.m. and the next at 2 p.m.

The spring graduations conclude Friday May 14 with the MC School of Law commencement at First Baptist Church, Jackson. U.S. Circuit Court Judge Henry Lackey, the 2009 MC Alumnus of the Year, is the guest speaker.