Thirteen nursing students received their pins May 1 at NOC Tonkawa. Pictured (L-R): Shelbie Kelly, Tiphani Hull, Anahi Porras, Abigael Nightingale, Arlene Oxley. Back Row (L-R): Jesse Ryder, Karlie Parsons, Kennedy Williams, Marissa Aase, Ashlynn Slusher, Jacquelyn Collins, Grayce Downey, Inez Diaz-Lopez (Photo courtesy of Cope Photography).
NOC holds nurse pinning ceremony in Tonkawa
Thirteen Northern Oklahoma College Nursing Students received their nurses’ pins at a ceremony at NOC Tonkawa Friday evening in the 53rd Class of NOC Nursing.
Students receiving pins included Marissa Aase, Blackwell; Jacquelyn Collins, Enid; Ines Diaz-Lopez, Burbank; Grayce Downey, Perkins; Tiphani Rene Hull, Medford; Shelbie Raye Kelly, Gueda Springs, Kansas; Abigael Moyinoluwa Nightingale, Fairview; Arlene Oxley, Stillwater; Karlie Rose Parsons, Midwest City; Anahi Porras, Texhoma; Jesse Ryder, Ponca City; Ashlynn D. Slusser, Stillwater; and Kennedy Williams, Perry.
Nursing students from the Stillwater, Enid, and Tonkawa campuses received their pins and cited the Florence Nightingale Pledge.
The guest speaker was Dr. Nikole Hicks, former Nursing Division Chair at Northern Oklahoma College.
Dr. Hicks told the graduates, “Today, we celebrate your accomplishments and you’ve earned the title of nurse. But today is not the finish line, it’s the starting point of your influence. Nursing is always evolving, so ask questions, seek evidence, challenge outdated practices. Be curious enough to learn and courageous enough to speak. You don’t have to wait years to make a difference, your future is now.”
Hicks added, “Use your power to improve the health of your communities. You’ll care for people from all walks of life and not just in a hospital. Your role is not just to treat symptoms but to promote wellness.”
Hicks challenged the graduates to grow in their careers and to give back to their communities.
“The degree you have earned is not a ceiling but a launch pad,” she said.
“I encourage you to stay connected to NOC Nursing that helped shape you into the nurse you are becoming and be proud of where you started,” she said. “Take the opportunity to mentor students and offer your time and experiences to help others.”
NOC Interim Nursing Division Chair Dr. Vickie Crouch congratulated each member of the graduating class saying, “Graduates, congratulations and we are very proud of you. You have succeeded despite the obstacles you have faced. Please don’t stop here. Continue to pursue excellence and advance your career in education and represent the best of nursing.”
“You are exceptional, Dr. Crouch added.
Nursing Awards
Spirit of Nursing Award (Student Vote) — Ines Diaz-Lopez
Spirit of Nursing Award (Faculty Vote) — Tiphani Hull
Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society – Ines Diaz-Lopez, Tiphani Hull, Shelby Raye Kell, Abigael Moyinoluwa Nightingale, Arlene Oxley, Anahi Porras
Student Nurses Association Members – Jacquelyn Collins (Officer), Grayce Downey (Officer), Abigael Moyinoluwa Nightingale (Officer), Karlie Rose Parsons (Officer), Ashlynn D. Slusser (Officer), Ines Diaz-Lopez, Anahi Porras, Kennedy Williams
Exceptional Preceptor Awards – Karla Batchhelder, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, Enid, Oklahoma
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators – Lerna Deyirmencian
