29 graduates of the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Nursing Class of January 2016 celebrated with faculty, college administrators and loved ones at a graduation and pinning ceremony on January 12, 2016 at Kelsey Theatre.
Lawrenceville resident Alex Bannwart spoke as valedictorian during the pinning ceremony.
Bannwart, who came to Mercer after having already earned a bachelor’s degree, chose to pursue a nursing career because of the wide range of skills it requires. His initial unease in the clinical setting eventually grew into confidence as he observed and learned. He was so intrigued by the professionalism of the hospital staff during a code blue emergency that he plans to become an emergency room nurse.
A number of graduates were selected for special awards: Samantha Wagner of Hamilton (HelenMarie Dolton Clinical Excellence Award); Nora Kent of Yardville (Clara Lidz Nursing Leadership Award); Kathleen Gavin of Pennington (Nightingale Award); William Swisher of Bensalem, Pa. (MCCC Nursing Faculty Award); and Alexander Bannwart of Lawrenceville and Brandon Gelormine of Howell (Academic Excellence Awards).
The graduating class included: Alexander Bannwart, Marie Benedetti, Dayana Diaz, Danielle Franks, Chelsea Furch, Kathleen Gavin, Brandon Gelormine, Estefania Granada-Gonzalez, Suzanne Harris, Marcella Isaacs, Matthew Jaworsky, Shawn Kemble, Nora Kent, Lindsay Korwin, Sofiya Kozak, Adriana Lazo-Brito, Elizabeth Lee, Britney Mantone, Precious McClees, Alexandra Misuraca, Michael Mulvan, Kathy O’Neal, Aingye Oliver, Chantel Ramsey, Gibril Sandy, Dominika Strakos, William Swisher, Neven Tadros and Samantha Wagner.
Brandon Gelormine, left, of Howell, and valedictorian Alexander Bannwart, of Lawrenceville, were the recipients of Academic Excellence Awards at MCCC’s Nursing Program graduation ceremony held on January 12, 2016. They are pictured with faculty member Toni Racioppo.,
