Butler Nursing Program Honors Spring 2025 Graduates

Butler Community College’s nursing department celebrated 67 new graduates at their bi-annual Nurses Pinning Ceremony at the El Dorado Performing Arts Center on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
 
Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Janet Schueller opened the ceremony by listing well-known pioneers from the field of nursing and welcoming the graduates to the profession. “We congratulate you on this momentous accomplishment. Each and every one of you is a pioneer in your own right, and we hope you take that pioneer spirit with you,” said Schueller.  

Dr. Jackie Vietti, interim president of Butler Community College, spoke to the graduates about the difference between good and exceptional when it comes to nursing. “You have acquired the skills you need to do the job, and that’s good. But you’ve also learned how to treat the mind and the heart. That’s exceptional,” said Vietti.
 
“When I started, I thought nursing school would be a solitary activity,” said Katie Doremus, nursing class president. “I was wrong. I now have friends for life, and I have co-workers who are already friends.” She also encouraged her fellow nurses to focus on the present when it comes to difficult moments. "When you’re not sure what to do, do the next thing. Help [your patients] do the next thing.”
 
Graduate Summer Mavis and faculty member Lea Atkinson were the recipients of this year’s DAISY Awards, a national award given to one student and one educator each semester who demonstrate excellent nursing qualities.
 
Nine graduates also completed Butler’s special partnership program with the University of Kansas, simultaneously earning their associate degree from Butler and their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from KU.

This semester’s graduating class included the first cohort of students from the Winfield satellite campus, which opened in the fall of 2023 in collaboration with Cowley College. The campus partnership allows area students to attend a nearby nursing program while the schools work to combat the nursing shortage in that part of the state.
 
Watch the entire ceremony online at https://www.butlercc.edu/BCTVplus or on the BCTV+ app.
 
Spring 2025 graduates by hometown:

Andover  

Pallas Adams – KU BSN Graduate
Ronnie Bui – DAISY Award Nominee
Makenah Collinsworth
Timothy K. Sogomo – Butler Student Nursing Association (BSNA) Vice President

Augusta

Ashlyn Bowen
Selina Nguyen

Bel Aire

Reagan Ralston

Belle Plaine

Elizabeth Kennedy

Council Grove

Kelli Kopf

Derby

Korryn Hackney
Kylee Leon
Trista Shain
Laila Sprayberry

El Dorado

Jada Chabot – KU BSN Graduate
Kara Clugston
Kinzi Colson
Nathan Jacobs
Haylee Meiwes
Megan Neff
Amy Toney

Eureka

Amanda Mouer – KU BSN Graduate

Haysville

Kaylee Lacey – DAISY Award Nominee
Natyeli Roman Vasquez – KU BSN Graduate

Leon

Kristofer Laidler – KU BSN Graduate
Jenna Valentine – KU BSN Graduate

Maize

Mina Chapman – KU BSN Graduate
Kimberly Quintero

Mulvane

Chelsey Swim

Newton

Ellie Hockett

Park City

Nelson Eugene Michael Spaulding

Rose Hill

Francine Harp – DAISY Award Nominee

Valley Center

Arcilia Conrady

Wichita

Brittany Aitken
Savon Allen
Fernanda Arias Esparza
Laynee Cao
Rita Carrillo Roman
Madison Cooley – Class Vice President
Amber Conde
Brianna Coss
Sara Delmolino
Meagan Denton – BSNA Treasurer
Katie Doremus – Class President, DAISY Award Nominee
Lucy Gatitu
Maura Glatczak
Melissa Haag
Kylee Herman
Ethan Ho  
Tanner Ho – BSNA President
Hunter Hoss – DAISY Award Nominee
Jennifer Hyatt
Berylbeth Kamadi
Cortney Kiser
Summer Mavis – DAISY Award Winner
Maria Mercado
Luis Ramirez
Alison Robillard
Cassidy Smith – BSNA Membership Chair
Katrina-Maniphone V. Thirakul – KU BSN Graduate
Thuy (Emily) Trinh
Maureen Wambui
Cameron White – KU BSN Graduate
Kaylie Whitworth
Loren Wiens – DAISY Award Nominee

Winfield

Holly Davidson
Mattison Hagar
Tania Tavarez – DAISY Award Nominee

Faculty Daisy Award Nominees

Lea Atkinson (Winner)
Joshua Hardy
Michele Ridder
Katelyn Sherman-Voge
Mitchell Taylor