Posted on Friday, May 10, 2024
The college’s Nursing Department can double its capabilities to put nurses into Georgia communities thanks to $214,000 in federal funding approved by Congress.
The legislature voted on a minibus spending bill in March, which included multiple local appropriations proposed by congressional leaders. The funding request for LaGrange College was sponsored by Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.
“We are so grateful to Senators Ossoff and Warnock for taking up this request and getting it approved,” said President Susanna Baxter. “Their offices were very helpful and supportive throughout the entire appropriations process.”
The funding will be put toward new equipment for the nursing department that includes patient simulator mannequins, smartboards, tablets, vital sign simulators, laptops and movable furniture as well as renovating new classroom space.
“It’s going to have a huge impact,” said Nursing Chair Dr. Sarah Jones. “Updating equipment will give students a bedside experience in a lab like they would have at a hospital.”
She said the new equipment will allow more practical learning experiences in class, better preparing students for the real world.
“There are just more immersive learning experiences available with these tools that can enhance students’ classroom engagement beyond merely displaying static images,” Jones said.
In addition to the enhanced learning provided by new equipment, the goal of the project is to increase the college’s capacity for nursing students and, consequently, the number of new nurses it puts into Georgia communities. The state, like the nation, is facing a shortage of health-care professionals, and projections show more nurses retiring in coming years than new ones entering the field.
To help address this shortage, the college aims to start in January 2025 admitting two cohorts of students into the Nursing program every year. Currently, the program can accept up to 60 juniors per year. The expansion will open the door for up to 120 new students to enter the program annually. Additionally, it will give students who need to retake a class a second chance in the following semester instead of having to wait a full year for it to be offered again.
“I’m thankful,” Jones said. “This is a great opportunity. We want to make sure people who come here get the most for their educational investment.”
The ceremony featured the LaGrange College Singers giving an in-person performance of “Rain,” an ironic song for the occasion, and Waights G. Henry Jr. Leadership Award Recipient Lindsey Green ’24 who told her fellow graduates to enrich the lives of others. During the event, Dr. Jim Bruce HA’13 received an Honorary Doctor of Medicine degree and the late LaGrange Mayor Willie T. Edmondson received a posthumous Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Kimberly Little, one of Edmondson’s four adult children, accepted it on his behalf. The commencement address was presented by Dr. Zach Taylor ’77 III, who encouraged the graduates to find their purpose and passionately invest in that purpose.
The event also recognized Distinguished Service Alumni Award recipient Greg Wright ’88. Before the conferral of degrees, a video tribute was presented in memory of senior football captain LaKevin DeBruce, who was tragically killed in November 2023. The John Mohr Mackintosh Pipes and Drums performed “Amazing Grace” to honor him. LaKevin’s degree was accepted by his brother JaMari, who walked across the stage with the rest of the graduates.
Baseball
The Panthers had a 7-4 win, a 5-6 loss and a 3-2 win in their final regular season series against Huntingdon May 2-4. The team took a 4-2 win against Piedmont in the opening round of the CCS Baseball Tournament on May 9. The Panthers will face Belhaven in the quarterfinal round on Friday, May 10 (today), at 4 p.m. at Maryville.
The Collegiate Conference of the South named MAT students Rhett Mixon and Dalton Brooks to the All-Conference First Team. Senior David Smigelski and LC alum Gabe Pallo ’24 were named to the All-Conference Second Team. Recent graduate Jackson McCart was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Golf
Freshman Ian Bramlett was awarded CCS Men’s Golf Rookie of the Year, Coach Shannon Lipham was voted CCS Men’s Golf Coach of the Year, sophomore Jeremy Edmunds earned a spot on the First All-Conference Team and sophomore Martin Prlender was selected to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Lacrosse
Recent LC alumni Klein Woods ’24 and Ryan Comeau ’24 were selected to the USA South Second All-Conference Team. Alum Michael Poteete ’24 made the All-Sportsmanship Team.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, May 10 – Baseball vs. Belhaven (CCS Quarterfinal Round), 4 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
LaGrange College faculty members earn teaching awards, LaGrange Daily News, May 9
Celebrating the LaGrange College Class of 2024, LaGrange Daily News, May 8
LaGrange College honors late Mayor, former football captain during Graduation Ceremony, WTVM, May 6
Two LaGrange College graduates share a lifelong bond, LaGrange Daily News, May 4
LaGrange College Nursing receives federal grant, LaGrange Daily News, May 3
Before Baccalaureate 2024
Unlike the massive commencement exercises held in Callaway Stadium each year, the LaGrange College Baccalaureate ceremony offers a smaller, more intimate opportunity for the graduating class and their families to pause, reflect on this rite of passage, and celebrate the graduates' achievements and perseverance.
Category: Academics, College
Keywords: Government, Education
