The GACTC graduated 36 students from the full- and part-time Practical Nursing programs on August 15, 2024. Graduation activities included a pinning ceremony on August 13th and commencement, held on August 15th, at the Altoona Area High School.

The “pinning ceremony,” a symbolic welcoming of new nurses into the profession, can be dated as far back as the 12th century, and became standard in the United States by 1916. During the ceremony, students are pinned by nursing faculty.

The commencement ceremony on August 15th honored the practical nursing students through conferral of diplomas, awards, and honors. The evening included remarks from Dorothy Fulton, RN, with UPMC Altoona, and Nicole Zernick, Assistant Director of the GACTC, recital of the nurse’s pledge, and a lamp lighting. A class message was provided by the class presidents, Lexus Grubb (part-time program) and Jenna Paronish (full-time program).

The practical nursing graduates included the following:

Full-time class:

Students which achieved High Honors are noted with **, and students which achieved Honors are noted with *.

Recognition of outstanding student achievement were provided to the following graduates:

• Knowledge Award recipients included Olivia Helsel and Anna Kepner.
• Skills Award recipients included Mattia Cooksey and Haley Mackey.
• Work Ethic Award recipients Florence Nah and Jenna Paronish.
• Volunteer Award recipient was Sherry Wray.
• Alice E. Garman Award recipient recipients included Shelly Ivory and Tonya Leighty.
• Outstanding Student Award recipients included Amber Johnstone and Abigail Williamson.

A special thank you to the sponsors of the awards including Encompass Health, Garvey Manor, Juniata Valley VFW Ladies Auxiliary and Mr. Ken Garman, New Look Uniform and Embroidery, Lois Medina, RN, and American Red Cross.

For more information about the Practical Nursing program, please visit https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/practical-nursing/ or call 814-941-8324.