Jayna Smith

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It was a day of celebration at Washington County Community College on Thursday, December 18, as the college held the first-ever Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony, marking a historic milestone for both the institution and the region. Nine students graduated as the inaugural class of WCCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program.

WCCC President Susan Mingo welcomed guests, faculty, graduates, and their families, thanking the nursing faculty and staff for their dedication and recognizing their “commitment, mentorship, and student success that’s evident” in the graduates and in the foundation of the program itself. She also acknowledged the families and friends who supported the students throughout their education. “As president of this college, I could not be more proud of what this moment represents,” Mingo said. “This ceremony reflects what is possible when students, educators, legislators, health care partners, and community work together with a shared purpose.”

Faculty members Kayli Condon and Anne Perry offered remarks before student speaker Ryleigh Andrews addressed the audience. Andrews reflected on the challenges and rewards of the program, the long hours of hard work, and the friendships formed along the way. She thanked the nursing faculty for their patience, leadership, and encouragement, and spoke warmly of her classmates. “I couldn’t have asked for a better class,” she said, noting the support and bond shared among the group.

Awards were then presented by faculty members Perry and Condon. Gabryelle Jackson and Colby Stoker received the Excellent in Clinical Skills Care award, Lindsey Redimarker was honored with the Compassionate Care/ Humanistic Approach award, and Ryleigh Andrews received the Leadership and Potential for Leadership award. Following the awards, the graduates collectively recited the Nightingale Pledge, affirming their commitment to ethical practice, compassionate care, and professional integrity, before being pinned by family members.

Faculty member Crystal Donovan delivered the closing remarks, offering words of wisdom and encouragement to the new nurses. She reminded graduates that they have learned to think critically, act with precision, and carry themselves with confidence, but emphasized that their compassion and resilience were just as important. “You have proven yourselves to be exactly what this world needs,” Donovan said, adding that the world needs their kindness, strength, and courage as they move forward in their careers.

Washington County Community College’s nursing program is one of the newest academic offerings in the college’s more than 50-year history. Developed in response to critical workforce shortages in Downeast Maine, the program was launched after several years of planning, faculty recruitment, and state approval. WCCC laid the groundwork through health occupations coursework before welcoming this first cohort of nursing students. The inaugural pinning ceremony marked a significant milestone, celebrating not only the achievements of the first graduating class but also the arrival of newly trained nurses into Washington County’s healthcare system.