South Georgia Technical College Holds Pinning Ceremony for LPN Graduates

August 6, 2021

Pictured are the graduates of SGTC’s LPN program with their instructors (l-r) Jennifer Childs, Leeandra Ward, and Christine Rundle.

Fourteen graduates of the South Georgia Technical College Licensed Practical Nursing program received their nursing pins in a recent ceremony in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the Americus campus. A crowd of family, friends, administrators, and instructors attended the event to show their support as the students participated in the traditional pinning ritual.

Receiving their pins were Niki Banks of Americus, Sonica Burton of Americus, Zikerria Burton of Smithville, Kambi Gardner of Buena Vista, Ashley Ginn of Mauk, Elizabeth Guerrero of Ellaville, Cassandra Henderson of Atlanta, Kori Holley of Plains, Shontia Ingram of Americus, Shelby Law of Andersonville, Brittany Martinez of Americus, Jordan Mizell of Americus, Jasmin Robinson of Atlanta, and Elbunie Smith of Warner Robins.

SGTC President Dr. John Watford welcomed those in attendance and Sam Teate gave the invocation. LPN instructor Jennifer Childs provided a class overview and presented a slideshow of the students featuring the students over the course of their studies in the LPN program.

The class speaker chosen for the ceremony was Niki Banks. In her remarks, she thanked the program instructors for their dedication as well as family and friends who supported her and her classmates as they worked through the demanding LPN program. She also praised her classmates for their dedication to completing the program. “These are some of the most intelligent, humble, diligent, hard-working, and brave women you will ever meet,” she said. “This group of women have sacrificed, and today we get to celebrate our hard work.”

After Banks’ speech, Jennifer Childs and fellow practical nursing instructor Christine Rundle presented the pins to the class, and clinical instructor Leeandra Ward presented each graduate a rose. “This pin represents your school,” Childs said, “and it symbolizes your welcome into the nursing profession.”

After the pinning, LPN graduate Jordan Mizell led the class in the Nurse’s Pledge and the lighting of the lamp. Instructor Christine Rundle gave closing remarks followed by a prayer and benediction by graduate Elbunie Smith.

The LPN program at South Georgia Technical College is one of over 200 programs SGTC offers leading to a degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit. Learn more about all of the programs and apply for enrollment at www.southgatech.edu. Fall semester begins August 18.