BC3 Graduates Nursing Students Prior to Tonight’s Commencement

Butler County Community College held the 2016 Nurses Pinning Ceremony to honor students graduating with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing, R.N. the evening of Thursday, May 12 in the Succop Theater on main campus.

Patricia T. Annear, RN, MSN, CNE, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at BC3, lead the procession of graduates as the Master of Ceremonies and delivered the Welcome Address. Dr. Nicholas Neupauer, President of BC3, gave the Presidential Remarks followed by Guest Speaker Mrs. Julia Carney, MSN, RN, Instructor in the Nursing and Allied Health Division.

The 2016 Class Officers were recognized including Sydney Merrison, President; Jacob Smith, Vice President; Colby Staples, Treasurer; and Emily Franco, Secretary. Emily Franco also gave the Closing Address.

Other components of the ceremony included: recognition of the mentors, history of the pin, lighting of the candles, and reciting of the Nurse’s Pledge.

BC3 student Summer Vantine was selected by faculty as the recipient of the 2016 Clinical Practice Award. The award honors a graduating student who demonstrated exemplary clinical skills and professional excellence in Nursing.

Graduates, family, and friends attended a reception in the AK Steel Lobby outside of the theater immediately following the ceremony to celebrate the graduates.

The 2016 Nursing Class at BC3 includes 56 graduates in seven clinical groups.

BC3 will hold its 48th Annual Commencement at 7PM tonight in the Field House on main campus. The ceremony will be streamed live online at bc3.edu.

A reception will follow in Founders Hall to celebrate the 2015-2016 graduates.

Wil Del Pilar, Ph.D., Acting Deputy Secretary of Postsecondary and Higher Education, will give the keynote address. Dawn K. DePasquale, Consultant, Class of 1977, will give the Distinguished Alumni address.

Maziee Zaccone, Honors Graduate and 2016 New Century Scholar, will give the student address. Sarah Kasunic, President of the Rho Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, will be speaking as the new student alumni representative. Jennifer Harris, Honor Student, will present the tassel to the College mace.

Grand Marshal Dr. Bruce Russell, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, will lead the procession followed by Faculty Marshals Julia Carney, Instructor in the Nursing & Allied Health Division and Michael Robinson, Assistant Professor in the Science & Technology Division. Student Marshals are Sherri Mack, Associate Professor in the Business Division and Laura Wiest, Instructor in the Business Division

Graduates, family, and friends are invited to attend a reception catered by Fairground Market with entertainment by Winsor Brass immediately following the ceremony in Founders Hall.

For the 2015-2016 academic year, there are 533 potential graduates: 164 will receive an Associate in Arts Degree, 259 will receive an Associate in Applied Science degree, 71 will receive an Associate in Science degree, and 51 will receive a Certificate of Achievement. Around 235 students will march during the ceremony.

At this year’s commencement, there are 21 students receiving two degrees, one student receiving three degrees, and 22 veterans graduating. The programs with the most graduates are Nursing, R.N., Business Administration, General Studies, Business Management, and Criminology. The certificate with the most graduates is Medical Coding Specialist.

BC3’s youngest graduate is 19 years old and the oldest graduate is 72 years old.