Nearly 400 guests packed the DeMattias Performance Hall for the fall 2024 nursing and respiratory care pinning ceremony Dec. 6 at Newman University.
Of the 37 School of Healthcare Professions graduates, 10 earned their associate degrees in respiratory care, while 27 earned their Bachelor of Science in nursing. In addition to their academic achievements, each graduate received a ceremonial pin to commemorate their transition from student to graduate.
Dean of the School of Healthcare Professions Geri Tyrell said the event was a chance to highlight interdisciplinary health care students who are “so critically important to what we do.”
“This particular ceremony was special for us because it was the first one that was school-based,” Tyrell said. “Some of our other disciplines are more diagnostic, but nursing and respiratory care really are at the bedside providing patient care. We wanted to bring them to the forefront and say, ‘You’re special to us as a university and we want to recognize you for that.’”
Jenifer Stone APRN, ‘83, ‘87, chair of the Board of Trustees and a Newman donor and volunteer tutor, was invited to share a keynote speech. She reflected on her own experiences through Newman’s nursing school and shared her pride in every student’s journey.
“I know the road to this day has not been easy, but it will be worth it,” Stone said. “Remember the reasons that you chose this profession. Don’t settle for the easy way, but continue to believe in yourself and push yourself to new achievements and challenges. Thank you for choosing this path and for dedicating your lives to serving others. May you find fulfillment and make a difference in the lives of those you care for.”
She concluded, “And remember you are a graduate of Newman University, who has empowered you to change society.”
Pins mark transition from student to graduate
The Newman nursing pin was designed by the first graduating nursing class in 1984 and depicts images of a cross and lamp. The cross symbolizes Christian heritage, while the lamp represents both the light of knowledge and the long associated nursing symbol that references Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.
The Newman respiratory care pin follows the format of a traditional pin used by many respiratory care programs across the nation. It depicts the human lungs along with details like the segmental bronchi and the lung segments they serve. It is a reminder to graduates that they are highly specialized clinicians who are experts in pulmonary disorders.
The Rev. Ed Herzog gave a Catholic blessing over the pins before students were called individually to receive them.
“We ask that through the intercession of the Holy Spirit and inspired by your son, the great divine physician, that these graduates may strive to heal both body and soul,” Herzog said. “We pray that they may take care of you and our children here on earth as they always prepare every single soul as it awaits the true life that is to come.”
Standout students
Breathing life into Mayo’s dream in respiratory care
Graduate Cheyanne Mayo received the 2024 Outstanding Respiratory Care Graduate Award. She said the award was an exciting surprise, as she “just wanted to make a difference.”
“I feel like it is verifying and a step in the right direction,” Mayo said. “And the hard work has paid off.”
Mayo, a Texas native, discovered respiratory care through her cousin who is a respiratory therapist.
“I did pre-nursing in Texas, and my cousin Madison got me to look into respiratory therapy,” Mayo said. “I Googled what was close to me and Newman was where I decided to enroll.”
In hindsight, Mayo said she is “so grateful” she chose Newman. She encourages others interested in respiratory therapy to “come to Newman.”
“Best program around,” she added. “Tim Cho, the director of the program, and Stacie Fox are the kindest, smartest people I’ve ever met. It’s tough to get through health care, but with teachers who basically parent you through it, they made it easy to get through the program.”
Mayo begins her new job Jan. 20 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. She plans to soon work toward her bachelor’s in respiratory care.
“And hopefully if Newman can expand their program, I would love to work here one day in the program,” Mayo added.
Shay’s path to pediatric nursing
Makenzie Shay won the 2024 Distinguished Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduate Award.
For Shay, helping people has always been part of her DNA — particularly regarding children. She knew she enjoyed science, too, so she decided to give the nursing program the old college try.
“I’m glad I did because it was the best decision I ever made,” she said. “I had a lot of good professors, which was probably the best part.”
Shay was impressed by Newman University’s support of both her academic and athletic pursuits. Shay was on the women’s soccer team.
“A lot of people won’t let you do athletics and nursing, but Newman does and that’s definitely a drive to go to Newman,” she said.
Shay credits retired Associate Professor of Nursing Debbie Strickert, Assistant Professor Rachel Cheek, Associate Professor of Nursing Nancy Lugo-Baez, Associate Professor of Nursing Melissa Romaneschi and former professor Kyle Betzen for forming her into the best future nurse she could be. Outside of professors, Shay is grateful to her soccer teammates and friends Kinsey Logan and AJ Sweitzer: “I could not have done Newman without them.”
Although Strickert’s retirement was celebrated during the nurse pinning ceremony in May, she jumped at the chance to celebrate the fall class of 2024 and could be seen cheering on her students from the back row of the hall.
“Debbie is just the best person you’ll ever meet,” Shay said.
Shay accepted a pediatric ICU nurse job in the cardiac care unit at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health in her hometown of Oklahoma City.
Congratulations class of 2024
The fall 2024 graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing are:
- Olamide Alabede
- Savannah Benson
- Rebecca Bindi
- Morgan Blackwell
- Anne Bwahama
- Ryleigh Chaffin
- Miranda Corral
- Madina Dalmeida
- Amiya Josey
- Lauren Kwak
- Kinsey Logan
- Stephanie Madrigal
- Katie McClure
- Braden Mooney
- Madison O’Bannion
- Precious Opara
- Lizbeth Romero-Lopez
- Isabelle Shank
- Makenzie Shay
- Charity Siooh
- Ashliegh Tarver
- Mackenzie Ternes
- Shayne Thornbrugh
- Breanna Thummel
- Hannah Weir
- Brandon Welch
- Hannah Wilcox
The fall 2024 graduates of the Associate of Science in respiratory care are:
- Sataizha Buckner-White
- Asiel Flores
- Fernanda Garcia-Lerma
- Preston Gietzen
- Bryson Gilchrist
- Christopher Hedgepeth
- Niloofar Hossinei
- Cheyanne Mayo
- Allyson Montgomery
- Brisa Ramirez-Berumen
Explore Newman School of Healthcare Professions
Graduates of any of Newman’s School of Healthcare Professions programs are highly sought after by the health care community in Wichita and the region.
