Special to IFN
Mitchell Community College celebrated 61 graduates of its Associate Degree Nursing program during the Holbrook-Huskins Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, on the Statesville Campus.
A long-standing tradition in nursing and at Mitchell, the ceremony took place on the Circle in front of the main building and was attended by enthusiastic friends and loved ones gathered to celebrate this milestone.
“The nursing pin originated with Florence Nightingale, who presented her nurses with a medal for excellence,” said Linda Wiersch, dean of Health Sciences and Wellness. “This ceremony is a rite of passage for nursing graduates as they transition into licensed registered nurses. The Mitchell nursing pin was designed by the college’s first graduating nursing class in 1984.”
Wiersch also explained the tradition of the nursing cap, which was historically used to identify graduates of specific nursing programs. While optional today, all Mitchell graduates wear two burgundy stripes—either on a cap or on their chest—symbolizing successful completion of the nursing program.
Tim Brewer, president of Mitchell Community College, addressed the graduates and attendees.
“This is a very special occasion for our graduates, their families, and the college community,” he said. “Reaching this milestone has required extraordinary commitment, resilience, discipline, and compassion. You have spent countless hours in classrooms, labs, clinical settings, and study groups preparing for a profession that asks so much of those who choose it.
“There have been long days, late nights, and moments that tested your confidence and perseverance, yet you continued to move forward,” Brewer added. “Tonight, we celebrate all you have accomplished.”
President Brewer also thanked the families and supporters of the graduates, noting that their encouragement and sacrifice played a vital role in student success.
Student Graduate Speakers
Graduate speakers, selected by their peers, reflected on the shared experiences and diverse paths that led the class to graduation.
Bruce Lee Mashburn, who entered the program after a career as a paramedic, field training officer, and operations manager, encouraged his classmates to embrace the profession’s purpose.
“Looking around, it’s clear how diversity defines us,” Mashburn said. “Our unique perspectives and life experiences have been our greatest strengths. Today, we stand together to celebrate those collective efforts—we didn’t get here alone.”
Mashburn expressed gratitude for faculty, mentors, and family members who supported students along the way and reminded his classmates of the impact they will have as nurses.
“As we move forward into our new careers, let us remember that nursing isn’t just a profession—it is a privilege and an honor to care for people in their darkest moments,” he said. “The impact you make will last longer than the care you provide. Do it with passion, and remember to take care of yourself. May your cup always be full and overflow with passion.
“Today, we are no longer students—we’re nurses.”
Anna Lynette Baldwin also addressed her classmates, sharing her journey to nursing after earning previous degrees in psychology, human services, and emergency medical services.
“Here we are—no more unit tests, no more simulations, and no more long days of clinicals,” Baldwin said. “Just a group of people who worked incredibly hard, supported each other, and made it to the finish line together.”
Baldwin reflected on the relationships built during the program and encouraged her classmates to carry those connections forward.
“Nursing school gives you more than a career—it gives you people who see you at your hardest moments and stand beside you through it,” she said. “Some of the best friendships are built here. That kind of support is rare, and it is something special.”
“As we step into this next chapter, I hope we continue to lead with compassion, strength, and faith,” Baldwin added. “Be the kind of nurse people remember—not just for what you did, but for how you made them feel. Tonight, as we receive our pins, remember it is more than a symbol of what we’ve completed—it is a promise of what we are becoming.”
Each graduate then crossed the stage to receive their nursing pin while a personal anecdote highlighting their journey through the program was shared. Many graduates have already secured employment or plan to further their education.
All graduates then took to the stage to recite the Nurses’ Pledge.
Class of 2026 Nursing Graduates
The 2026 Associate Degree Nursing graduates are:
Arthur Arend*; Anna Lynette Baldwin; Aisha Elaine Bell; Matthew Bellis; Kasey M. Borgstrom; Viktoria Rose Bornholdt; Amelia Grace Bridges; Ryan Bushee*; Katie Corns; Jessica Burruel Dudley; Jessica Elizabeth Edwards*; Kevin Fageol*; Taylor Rhiannon Favors; Bailey Rachelle Ford; Kaitlyn Gallagher*; Jameesah Gill; Matthew Guckavan*; Jacob Herman*; Grace Elizabeth Hill; Breanna Hope*; Ezekial Huffman*; Michael Johnson*; Tanesha Johnson*; Latrisha Lynette Joyner; Kaitlyn Paige Kiser; Kelsey Grace Kiser; Anna Kopecky; Ashley Layne; Alyxandra Lee Bronson; David Leonard; Angie Maribel Martinez; Hilary Martinez; Bruce Lee Mashburn*; Lauren Alexandria Murphy; Liam Myatt; Nicole Lynn Nelson; S. Niki Nelson*; Cassandra Dee Newell; Natalie Nunez-Carbajal; Anne-Marie Nutas; Connor Osorio; Kalyn Pacilio; Trishlyn Pannell; Kayla Potts*; Justin Puckett*; Vaughn Rizzo*; Gabriela Roldan; Ashley Sharp*; Sabrina Elise Shaver; Jamay Avery Sidberry; Michael Smith-Altizer*; Kaitlyn Smith-Potts; Cheyenne L. Smyre; Sami Stancil; Rebecca Jo Swaim*; Alex Tappan*; Aaron Thao; John Turner*; Erik Valadez-Alvarez*; Anna E. Vanhoy; Gladys Marie Williams*
*Paramedic to Associate Degree Nursing Graduate
Student Recognition and Awards
Alpha Delta Tau, the honor society for associate degree nursing students, recognized those demonstrating academic excellence, professionalism, and integrity. To qualify, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, earn a grade of B or better in all nursing courses, and complete a service or recruitment project. More than 20 graduates received this distinction and wore gold and burgundy cords and received a special pin.
Students completing the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program were also recognized for earning their associate degree while dually enrolled:
♦ Natalie Nunez-Carbajal; and
♦ Jamay Avery Sidberry
Award recipients included:
- Academic Achievement Award (highest GPA): Natalie Nunez-Carbajal
- Paramedic-to-Nursing Bridge Academic Award: Nicole Lynn Nelson
- Humanitarian Award: Lauren Alexandria Murphy
- Team Spirit Award: Aisha Elaine Bell
- Leadership Award: Bruce Lee Mashburn and Nicole Lynn Nelson
- Community Spirit Award: Anna Lynette Baldwin
- Professionalism Award: Anna Kopecky
- Excel Award: Latrisha Joyner
- Outstanding Clinical Award: Jacob Herman
Wiersch closed the ceremony by recognizing the contributions of program faculty, college staff, administrators, and community clinical partners.
“These graduates and their stories embody the journey of a community college student,” Wiersch said. “This year’s Nursing Week theme is ‘The Power of Nurses,’ and these graduates represent the future of healthcare. They have the power to continue making a difference as registered nurses. We are proud of you and celebrate your success.”
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