Area students were among the 86 who graduated from the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing today. The 106th graduation was held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Utica, following a procession across Genesee Street from the College.
The associate degree in nursing was presented to weekday and weekend graduates by Mrs. Marian Kovatchitch, president of the College, and Ms. Laurie Franklin, dean of academic affairs.
The St. Elizabeth College of Nursing pin was presented by Mrs. Elaine Brown, MS, RN, and Mrs. Jennifer Dunlap, MS, RN, class advisers.
Robert Scholefield, Vice-President/COO of St. Elizabeth Medical Center, welcomed the graduates, faculty, staff and participants. The commencement address was given by Richard Ketcham, FACHE, President/CEO of St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
Two of the class leaders are area residents. They are:
Weekend Valedictorian is Leanna Sweet of Rome, daughter of Deborah Sweet-Rajchel. The graduate of Rome Free Academy also has A bachelor’s of arts degree from Fordham University. She plans to pursue a career in nursing.
Weekday Salutatorian is Marie Burr of Woodgate. Married to Ron Burr, she is daughter of Dorothy Richter and the late Frank Austin and a graduate of Remsen Central School. The mother of two children, Heather, 21; and Justin, 17, she plans to work for St. Elizabeth Medical Center in the Special Care Unit.
The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., and registered by the New York State Education Department.
Graduates listing Rome mailing addresses were:
Olivia Mellace, Amanda Sandstrom, Leesa Streeter, Leanna Sweet, Alicia Trudeau.
Other area graduates:
Barneveld — Bhumika Patel
Blossvale — Lauren Collins
Boonville — Corrine Reed, Richelle Mastraccio
Camden — Valerie Fuller, Lori Staelens
Cleveland — Katherine Wines
Clinton — Kari Sperduto
Deansboro — Karina Moran
Deerfield — Barbara Hardy
Hinckley — Michael Spine
Holland Patent — Kim Penner
Lee Center — Rachael Pegues
Lowville — Sarah Pate
Marcy — Mary Friot
North Bay — Maracia Kimball-Smith
Old Forge — Kathy Aliasso, Karen Russell
Oneida — Leah Jakubowski
Oriskany — Danielle Anderson. Mary Falero, Susan Okey
Vernon Center — Megan James
Westernville — Ashley Urtz, Kelsey Bird
Whitesboro— Laura Keating, Amanda O’Connell
Woodgate — Marie Burr
