Forty-two new members inducted into Nursing Honor Society
Contributed photoFORT KENT — Forty-four current University of Maine at Fort Kent nursing students were inducted into the Nursing Honor Society and 42 nursing students were honored at the Nurse Pinning Ceremony held on Friday, May 13, in Fox Auditorium.
“This ceremony celebrated two important occasions for nursing students, the 32nd annual pinning ceremony for the graduating students who have successfully completed the requirements for the bachelor of science in nursing, and the 18th annual induction ceremony into the NHS for a group of nursing students who have met or exceeded the rigorous challenges of academic and practice standards, and have made significant contributions to nursing and their communities,” said Sandy Pelletier, instructor of nursing and the mistress of ceremonies.
UMFK President John N. Short congratulated the inductees and degree graduates. Dr. Erin Soucy, director of Nursing and Allied Health, provided inspirational words.
The featured keynote address was by Elizabeth McClellan, RN, MS, MPH, president and founder of Partners in World Health and a nursing administrator at Maine Medical Center in Portland. McClellan implemented a recycling and recovery program that utilizes volunteers to prepare packages of supplies to be distributed all over the world to facilities where they are desperately needed.
Students inducted into the honor society, which began at UMFK in 1998, have excelled in the four-year BSN program and are active in campus activities. Each was presented an honor cord to wear at graduation and a membership certificate.
Inducted from the local area were Ellen L. Bartlett of Houlton and Shellie A. Williams of Smyrna Mills.
The presentation of nursing pins followed. The pins signify the completion of the BSN and the honor and responsibility held as a professional nurse.
Receiving pins were the following from the local area: Shellie A. Williams of Smyrna Mills; and in absentia, Ellen L. Bartlett of Houlton, Sonja R. London of Merrill and Christina J. Schmidt of Island Falls.
During the ceremony, Kathryn Sharp of Caribou was honored with the Student Nurse Citizenship Award.
The Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award was presented to Nicole Theriault of Fort Kent, who has served locally at NMMC and Cary and now teaches at UMFK.
The 2016 Community Service Award was presented to Donald Raymond, former UMFK registrar.
