At 4:45 p.m. on Friday, blue skies finally broke through the gray and windy conditions, shining a much-deserved light on Linfield’s newest nurses. Through figurative and literal storms, the Linfield University-Good Samaritan School of Nursing‘s Class of 2021 completed their nursing education at a time unlike any other. And, they were celebrated just as uniquely with a combination of virtual and in-person events, May 20-22.
On Thursday, May 20, students, faculty and staff gathered on Linfield’s new 20-acre campus for the Senior Toasts. Even through the down-pouring rain, spirits ran high as students shared memories, offered toasts and returned the acorns they had received during their first year on the McMinnville campus. This special tradition connects alumni to future students, who receive the acorns at Convocation.
Senior Toast photos:
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”65″ gal_title=”2021-commencement”]
An in-person celebration with friends and family
The in-person events continued with a drive-thru Carmencement event on Friday, May 21. Friends, families and even a little dog named Bruce filled more than 80 vehicles to cheer on the graduates during the three-hour event. Colorful balloons, enlarged pictures, handmade banners and even surgical masks decorated the vehicles that included cars overflowing with guests to trucks lined with camping chairs and even a limo.
Students not only received their diplomas, but they also received their pins from one of four faculty members chosen by the graduating students. This year’s faculty honorees were Jennifer Bransfield, Monica Haj, Kimberly Kintz and Mindy Zeitzer.
It was a special moment for not just the graduates, but for the friends and family.
Bob Flood ’58, of Salem, joined his family to watch his granddaughter, Lindsey, receive her diploma. Lindsey became the eighth member of Bob’s family to earn their degree from Linfield.
Abby Trotter from North Bend, Washington, was cheered on not only by her tear-filled parents, but by a self-proclaimed “ecstatic sister” whose cheers and yells could be easily heard over the traffic of I-84.
And others even attended remotely, having family share the moment with them via individual Zoom and FaceTime meetings.
Carmencement photos:
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”64″ gal_title=”2021-commencement”]
Virtual Pinning recognizes student leaders
The series of events concluded with a virtual pinning on Saturday, featuring speeches by Dean Kimberly Dupree Jones, Associate Dean Paul Smith and student speaker Grace Larson.
“We survived a global pandemic – something so tragic, so inconceivable, most people didn’t even want to believe it to be true. As nursing students, however, that was never an option,” Larson said. “After barely just getting the hang of how to properly listen to lung sounds, we were suddenly surrounded by nothing less than medical chaos. With every 12-hour shift, we were immediately reacquainted with the devastating effects of COVID-19. Whether it was seen as exhaustion in the eyes of a nurse or as uncertainty in the eyes of a patient, it was there. Nonetheless, we donned face masks and face shields, gowns, and gloves and marched to the front lines. Just as we were trained to do, we provided care. What’s most incredible in my opinion, is I never heard a single one of you say there was anything you’d rather do.”
During the ceremony, Dean Jones announced the winners of the senior awards. They are:
- Barbara Noland, an RN to BSN student from Newberg, and Cait Gillaspy from the pre-licensure program, are the recipients of the Senior Honors Award in Nursing. This award is presented annually to students for their excellence in practice, leadership in service.
- Natalie Wu from Portland earned the Professional Excellence in Nursing Award, which is awarded only on the years when a graduate is identified by the faculty as someone who excels in leadership, scholarship and the human science of nursing.
- Madison Canova from Brookings is the recipient of the Wilma Pope Alumni Award, which recognizes characteristics outside academic achievement, including caring, clinical competence and involvement.
In addition to these awards, Jones also bestowed upon the entire graduating class the Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing Dean’s Award for Leadership through Resilience, noting the graduating class’s resiliency through wildfire, ice storm, campus moves, and remote learning, on top of the global pandemic.
“Together, we are all part of something truly historic,” Dean Jones said. “During our time together at Linfield you have built resilience by overcoming so many challenges. We are forever bonded as one Linfield family.”
