Wallace State Celebrates Nursing Graduates

Hanceville, Ala. — Wallace State Community College’s Department of Nursing Education recently celebrated more than 100 students at its August pinning ceremony held at the Betty Leeth Haynes Theatre inside the Garlan Gudger Student Center.

“This evening, we gather here in the spirit of celebration and achievement,” said Deborah “Pepper” Hoover, Chair of the Nursing program. “Each graduate has embarked on a journey filled with dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment. As you stand on the precipice of your nursing careers, I want you to take a moment to reflect on the path that led you here—the late-night study sessions, the clinical rotations, the camaraderie with your peers, and the countless lives you’ve touched along the way.”

“I want to join all of the voices here and say congratulations to each and every one of you. We are so proud of you,” said WSCC President Dr. Vicki Karolewics.

It was noted that the Nursing program was once again recognized as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and that the college was designated a Rising Star by the Aspen Institute.

“What that means is of 1,200 community colleges in this country, we are really ranked third in the U.S., and that’s because of our student outcomes,” Karolewics said of the Rising Star designation. “These students have had an exceptional education and we attribute that to the finest nursing faculty anywhere in the United States.”

Class president Sara Kate Wilks and class representative Molly Lauderdale addressed the audience.

“Today, we leave not just with knowledge, but with grit, compassion and a calling,” Wilks said after outlining some of the more challenging lessons she and her classmates faced. “Nursing school was hard, but it was also a gift. I’m truly humbled to have walked this road with all of you.”

Lauderdale Inspired to Become Nurse by Those Who Cared for Her

Lauderdale shared the inspirational story of how she chose to start a second career as a nurse after experiencing her own medical emergencies.

“This moment represents more than just the end of a rigorous program, it represents a journey, a calling and, in my case, a second chance.”

Lauderdale worked for many years in education as a teacher and counselor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a routine surgery led to complications that caused an infection that was then complicated when she contracted COVID-19 and went into septic shock, followed by both her lungs and kidneys failing. She spent more than 50 days in ICU at Grandview Medical Center.

“I was isolated, unable to communicate, and my family couldn’t be by my side because of COVID precautions,” she said. “But in the middle of all of that darkness, there was light. That light came from my nurses.”

Lauderdale eventually recovered after months of rehab, home health and outpatient therapy and returned to work. She later retired from education but felt a new calling to become a nurse and found Wallace State’s program, where she said she was greeted with kindness, warmth and professionalism.

During her last semester in the Nursing program, Lauderdale served her preceptorship at Grandview, in the same intensive care unit where she fought for her life.

“To return not as a patient but as a caregiver has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Lauderdale said. “I got to see the other side of that trial and walk that unit with a new purpose.

“I know each of us has our own why for choosing nursing,” she added. “Mine comes from deep personal pain, but also profound gratitude. I entered nursing school because I was inspired by the ones who saved me. And now, I hope to be that nurse for someone else.”

Lauderdale was one of three students recognized as a Nightingale Award recipient. She and fellow graduates Diana Sanchez and Cody Roberts were each presented with the award that is given in recognition of commitment to excellence in scholarship and dedication to compassion and exemplary care.

Other Nightingale Award nominees were Alan Bravo Reynoso, Jayci Donnelly, Haley Dumas, Courtney Hice, Ferlandra McGinnis, Camryn Norman, Adam Purvis, Ella Rounsaville, Madison Schaugaard, Savannah Sinyard, Julianna Walker, Lexi Weber and Heather Webster.

Diana Sanchez, Cody Roberts and Molly Lauderdale received the Nightingale Award during the pinning ceremony during the pinning ceremony for August graduates of the Wallace State Community College Nursing program.

The Wallace State Nursing August Class of 2025 includes:

Adamsville: Lauren Hawkins, Sara McGough

Addison: Savannah Sinyard

Adger: Alexys Shipley

Alabaster: Dulanjani De Silva

Albertville: Victor Bravo-Velasquez

Altoona: Alexis Brody, Holland Cyndal

Arab: Ragan Barnes, Diana Sanchez, Kaylie Sinatynski, Sara Kate Wilks

Arley: Ashlyn Ackley, Lydia Miller

Ashville: Amyclaire Buckner

Attalla: Katharina “Nikki” Whitt

Birmingham: Jill Armstrong, Gloria Hogan, Natalie Humphrey, Ashley Lee, Shayla Murphy, Chalsea Williams

Blountsville: Juanita Saucedo  

Boaz: Haley Dumas

Cleveland: Cody Roberts, Amanda Kay Smith

Cullman: Alan Bravo Reynoso Jayci Handley Donnelly, Tiffany Howell, Lorrin Jones, Maggie Keeton, Britney Mays, Marianna Kammerlocher, Lynden Morris, Michaela Murray, Cloey Taylor, Julianna Walker

Dora: Ebony Hildreth, Ali Hollis, Heather Reeves

Eufaula: Keyneshia Johnson

Eva: Taylor Patton

Falkville: Abagail Goodwin

Fultondale: Hailea Kennedy, Adam Purvis, Jennifer Wickert

Gadsden: David Crowe

Gardendale: Rose Crocker, Sarah Murphy, Hannah O'Laire, Brittany Sanborn, Garret Sisson

Guntersville: Leslie Gonzalez

Hanceville: Emily Mathis, Brian O'Boyle, Madison Schaugaard, Kierra Schulz, Alyssa Womack

Hartselle: Ty Kerby, Buffy Rasche

Hayden: Kimberly Franklin, Caidyn Rochell

Holly Pond: Brittany Tucker

Hoover: Andrietta Kimber, Ella Rounsaville

Horton: Molly Lauderdale

Hueytown: Ferlandra McGinnis, Krishay Smith

Irondale: Jaydin Delemus

Jasper: Courtney Hice, Jasmine Moore, Macee Rogers

Joppa: Aubrey Finklea

Lincoln: Crystal Patterson

Logan: Brylie Pearce

Madison: Sydney Rasberry, Tyia Wilson

Moody: Mandy Branaman

Morris: Laney King

Mount Olive: Jenna Newland

Nauvoo: Brandi Blackwell

Odenville: Kalley Mason, Mykayla Moore, Camryn Norman

Oneonta: Payten Burns, Samantha Bynum, Adriana Doyal, Addison Garnett, Savannah Kirby, Ahna Teal

Oxford: Miranda Wells

Ozark: Will Grider

Pinson: Holli Austin, Janell Jones

Riverside: Abby Harris

Scottsboro: Hannah Chanthavong

Sheffield: Krysten Mellott

Springville: Brinley Kelley, Heather Webster, Peyton Young

Steele: Jessica Noah

Sylvan Springs: Hannah Nguyen

Trafford: Kelly Trantham

Trinity: Amelia Lowery

Union Grove: Ken Long

Vinemont: Emma Guthrie, Jennifer Marks, Faith Rusk

Warrior: Jonathan Mann

Wellington: Lexi Weber

Belmont, Miss.: Sarah Brown

Hoosick Falls, NY: Stephanie Sacilowski

The Wallace State Nursing program is accepting applications through Oct. 1 for Spring 2026 entry, with options for the traditional practical nursing certificate and associate degree nursing and joint enrollment options through UAB and Athens State.

 

For more information about the Wallace State Nursing program, visit www.wallacestate.edu/nursing, email nursingapplicant@wallacestate.edu, or phone 256.352.8199.

 

Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning on Aug. 19 for regular and Mini Term I and Oct. 16 for Mini Term II. Registration and classes begin Aug. 26 for Flex Start Term I and Sept. 2 for Flex Start Term II. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call Lion Central at 256.352.8236.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.

 

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