The Lubbock Christian University nursing program had their first-ever summer pinning ceremony on August 17, evidence of the programs steady and sustained growth in recent years. Forty-five nurses completed their degree requirements this summer to earn the honor of being pinned. Of the 45 pinned nurses, 23 completed their bachelor’s degree or registered nursing degree, and 22 completed their master’s degree. Many of the graduates already worked in the hospital settings while completing their degrees, and some even commuted from Midland where they worked. The advanced degrees will give students the opportunity to move up into higher positions. “LCU’s department of nursing continues to produce graduates who are making significant contributions to health care throughout the region,” says President Tim Perrin. “We offer our sincere congratulations to the most recent graduates of the program. They move on to the next chapter of life prepared to meet every challenge and equipped to make a difference.” The first LCU Nursing Department pinning ceremony was held in May of 1993 for the first graduating class, pinning five students at the time. Since then, LCU has held pinning ceremonies for nursing graduates in the Spring and Fall semesters prior to the LCU commencement ceremony. Until this year, nursing students completing their degrees in the summer would be pinned in the spring semester prior. “The nursing department at LCU has truly been blessed. When the program started in 1991 with five students, we never dreamed we would be at this point! We currently have over 200 students in our undergraduate and graduate nursing programs,” explains Dr. LaNell Harrison, Director of the RN/BSN Program. “What a wonderful time with our graduates, families and friends.” The LCU Nursing Department has seen steady growth since the first five nursing graduates were pinned in 1993. In addition to having enough nursing students to hold a summer pinning ceremony, the program has recently added a Family Nurse Practitioner program. The Nursing Department will also break ground on a new nursing building this fall.