CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Penn State Lehigh Valley Practical Nursing graduates marked the successful completion of the program during a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 20, at the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus. Twenty-two students completed the requirements to earn a certificate in practical nursing and will be eligible to test for the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
The class began their studies in July 2018 for the 18-month program offered in the evening and on weekends in the classroom and laboratory at the Penn State Center at Overlook. Students took classes at Penn State Lehigh Valley and attended clinical studies at area partner facilities.
Chancellor Tina Q. Richardson presided over the ceremony along with Practical Nursing Program Director Heather L. Clark. Guest speaker for the event was Joan Timalonis, instructor at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Student reflections were offered by graduating senior Tiffany Ruch.
“Words cannot convey how special this is to me. We embarked on this journey as individuals and are leaving as a family,” Ruch said. “We had long days of clinical, working late at night, studying in the early morning and now we are standing in front of you as new versions of ourselves.”
During the ceremony, graduates received their certificates and pins to signify successful completion of the program.
Graduates and their hometowns include Grether E. Camilo-Hernandez, Allentown; Camena Tahera Juliana Cham, Easton; Sara Claridad Barchiesi, Bangor; Abigail Catherine Dennis, Emmaus; Jessica Lynn Durst, East Greenville; Brianna Christine Lee Ewell, Easton; Kimberly Grace Heverly, Riegelsville; Alexis Michaela Johnson, Nazareth; Jennifer A. Lawless, Bethlehem; Alyssa Marie Leon, Coplay; Ashley Aurora Morales, Bath; Jamie Mount, Northampton; Kimberly Christie Ramraj, Allentown; Kaalee Riddick, Allentown; Tiffany Ruch, Bangor; Tanya Marie Santly, Bethlehem; Marie C. Sedlock, Bethlehem; Felicia Shaner, Easton; Jaime Lee Sizemore, Bath; Courtney Nicole Sliker, Easton; Tania Y. Tapler, Center Valley; Elesandra Zayas, Bethlehem.