Associate Degree Nursing Graduates Honored at Pinning Ceremony

Published on December 18, 2025

Graduating nurses received their pins at the 2025 Lake Land College Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) Bridge program pinning ceremony.

The LPN to ADN Bridge program provides a pathway for current LPNs to advance in their careers by becoming registered nurses with one additional year of coursework.

During the ceremony, several students received awards in recognition of outstanding professionalism, patient care and performance in the LPN to ADN Bridge Program.

Minnie Gadison, Mattoon, received the Peer Award for demonstrating excellence in both the classroom and in clinical through professionalism, a caring nature and a cooperative spirit.

The Patient Advocate Award was presented to Jessica Williamson, Sullivan, for displaying professionalism and compassionate care in the ADN program.

Brandy Watson, Beecher City, received the Heart of Positivity Award for demonstrating kindness, resilience and care in every interaction, helping patients feel safe and valued.

Aimee Gooden, Charleston, received the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing Award, which is given each year to a graduating student who is considered to be the all-around best student in the class. Selected by faculty vote, the recipient must demonstrate superb professional skills and responsibility, leverage a strong scientific knowledge base to make and communicate wise decisions and maintain high levels of compassion and composure, often in crises situations. Gooden’s name will be engraved on a plaque that is located in the nursing skills lab in Neal Hall.

The following students received pins at the ceremony:

Name Hometown
Cassie Fancher Mason
Michelle Fultz Sullivan
Minnie Gadison Mattoon
Aimee Gooden Charleston
Taylor Hall Paris
Taylor Hawbaker Shelbyville
Stormy Judson Casey
Ava King Effingham
Chelsea Munoz Effingham
Medora Seibert Mode
Ella Shuler Neoga
Paul Smith Effingham
Rebecca Teal Beecher City
Brandy Watson Beecher City
Jessica Williamson Sullivan
Aila-Jai Woomer Effingham

 

A group photo of the Fall 2025 graduates of the Lake Land College LPN to ADN Bridge program.
The Fall 2025 graduates of the Lake Land College LPN to ADN Bridge program.
Pictured front row (from left to right): Minnie Gadison, Mattoon; Chelsea Munoz, Effingham; Rebecca Teal, Beecher City;¬¬¬ Medora Seibert, Mode; Aila-Jai Woomer, Effingham; Ella Shuler, Neoga; Stormy Judson, Casey; Brandy Watson, Beecher City.
Pictured back row (from left to right): Ava King, Effingham; Paul Smith, Effingham; Michelle Fultz, Sullivan; Taylor Hall, Paris; Cassie Fancher, Mason; Jessica Williamson, Sullivan; Aimee Gooden, Charleston; Taylor Hawbaker, Shelbyville.
Nursing graduate Aimee Gooden receiving the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Award during the Fall 2025 LPN to ADN pinning ceremony.
At left, Nursing Instructor Tarah Haskenherm presents the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing Award to Aimee Gooden, Charleston, during the 2025 Lake Land College Associate Degree Nursing pinning ceremony.
Nursing graduate Brandy Watson receiving the Heart of Positivity Award during the Fall 2025 LPN to ADN pinning ceremony.
At left, Nursing Instructor Tarah Haskenherm presents the Heart of Positivity Award to Brandy Watson, Beecher City, during the 2025 Lake Land College Associate Degree Nursing pinning ceremony.
Nursing graduate Jessica Williamson receiving the Patient Advocate Award during the Fall 2025 LPN to ADN graduation ceremony.
At left, Nursing Instructor Lara Lash presents the Patient Advocate Award to Jessica Williamson, Sullivan, during the 2025 Lake Land College Associate Degree Nursing pinning ceremony.
Nursing graduate Minnie Gadison receiving the Peer Award during the Fall 2025 LPN to ADN pinning ceremony.
At left, Nursing Instructor Lara Lash presents the Peer Award to Minnie Gadison, Mattoon, during the 2025 Lake Land College Associate Degree Nursing pinning ceremony.
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