On Saturday, June 21, Vermont Tech celebrated the graduation of 132 students in the Practical Nursing program. Taking place in Judd Hall at the Randolph Center campus, the commencement ceremony marked the graduation for the college’s nine sites throughout the state where the nursing programs are offered. A number of academic achievements were recognized at the ceremony, as 86% of the class graduated with honors or high honors, and 93 students are going on to the Associate Degree in Nursing program.
“Nursing is an extremely rewarding career and we are very proud to celebrate the successes of the practical nursing graduates,” said President of Vermont Tech, Dan Smith. “This is a momentous first step for these hardworking students as they pursue a meaningful future in medicine.”
Vermont Tech welcomed Mary Hill, assistant nursing professor at Vermont Tech, to deliver the commencement address for the ceremony. A graduate of Vermont Tech’s practical nursing program who is finishing her doctorate studies, Hill received the Wonkka Advising Award at the ceremony. Hill works with practical nursing students to lay the foundation for their nursing education, and specializes in medical and surgical nursing, hematology and oncology nursing, leadership and simulation. A member of the Vermont Organization of Nurse Leaders, Mary was
selected to participate in their Leadership Fellowship program this year.
Carolyn Stannard-Carlo, a nursing professor at Vermont Tech, was presented with the 2014 Harold G. Wirtz Master Teaching Award at the commencement. This annual award is Vermont Tech’s most prestigious faculty award and this year marks the first time it was presented to a member of the Department of Nursing. Anna Gerac, director of the Nursing Education Programs, was also acknowledged at the ceremony as this commencement marks her last at Vermont Tech.
The Vermont Tech Practical Nursing program is recognized as a leader in distance learning and health care simulation. This allows nursing students who practice in small, rural communities experience real-life medical situations. The curriculum is offered at Vermont Interactive Technologies sites throughout the state.