NGTC Students Honored for Academic Accomplishments

On June 14, 2010, 47 North Georgia Technical College students from the Blairsville Campus were recognized for academic achievements.  This special event began with 27 students being inducted into the National Technical Honors Society (NTHS). The second part of the program continued with a longstanding NGTC tradition – a pinning ceremony for students graduating from the Medical Assisting and Practical Nursing programs.

NTHS is America’s highest award for excellence in career and technical education.  The mission of the organization is to honor student achievement and leadership, promote educational excellence, and enhance career opportunities.  NTHS members will receive recognition in the form of identification on their transcripts, a special seal on their diploma, and white stoles on their graduation robes.

NGTC English Instructor Mike Rice conferred the NTHS certificates and led the group in the pledge of membership.  “Students have to maintain a 3.7 GPA after completing 24 credit hours and be nominated by an instructor,” explained Rice.  “Statistically only about 5% of our students are eligible to be NTHS members.”

Smiles of pride spread through the family-filled audience as each candidate was called forward.  Students then stood and read aloud the pledge of membership.

Murphy, NC residents inducted into the NTHS included Lorin Hughes and Jenny Ieovao.

“To get this far in their studies while maintaining this academic standard is quite an accomplishment,” says Vice President of Academic Affairs Vicki Nichols.  “And our health care students have a very rigorous curriculum they have to complete. We are very proud to honor them in this ceremony.”

For the Nurse Pinning ceremony, the lights were dimmed and each student solemnly walked down the aisle carrying a lighted candle.  Director of Student Affairs Kristie Gibbs introduced each one as they were pinned by Medical Assisting Instructor Angela Flowers and Practical Nursing Instructor Donna Campbell.

Local student Victoria Parker received her LPN pin.

The Medical Assisting students carried single white tapers as they received pins.  Practical Nursing students carried candles held in ceramic lamps, a visual reference to Florence Nightingale’s Lady with the Lamp nursing fame.  These students also recited an oath of professional commitment.

“We are proud of the accomplishments of our students at NGTC. They will represent us well as they take up their professions in the community,” said President Steve Dougherty as he thanked the students for choosing to pursue their education at North Georgia Technical College.

For more information on programs of study offered on the Blairsville Campus of North Georgia Technical College contact 706-439-6300 or visit www.northgatech.edu.

Picture:

LPN students (L-R):  Standing:  Susan Rudy, Jamie Born, Lisa Oswald, Heather Stafford, Dianne Hendry, Rachel Bushart, and Alicia Howard.  Seated:  Caitlin Krul, Victoria Parker, and Marilyn Chastain. Kneeling:  Rhonda Hay, Amber McCarter, Kimberly O’Brien, Julie Pratt, and Ashley Pierce.