Matthew Guthrie inducted into National Nursing Honor Society

2014 Dec 12

Matthew Guthrie of Oxford was one of 14 Northwest Mississippi Community College Nursing students inducted into the newly formed Gamma Zeta Chapter of Alpha Delta Nu, a national Nursing Honor Society in a ceremony held on Dec. 8.

Northwest's Gamma Zeta chapter of the society was established in May 2014. This class is the first class of students to be inducted, according to Charisse Reed, nursing instructor and Alpha Delta Nu adviser. Northwest nursing instructors Olivia Russom and Mandy Deshotels are also advisers to the group.

"The purpose of this honor society is to recognize the academic excellence of students in Associate Degree Nursing and promote scholarship in the profession of nursing. The honor society also encourages the pursuit of advanced degrees as well as continuing education as a life-long professional responsibility. These 14 students are the first inductees for the Gamma Zeta Chapter of Alpha Delta Nu here at Northwest, and we wanted to celebrate their achievement of this prestigious honor. It was truly a milestone event for the students, their families, the faculty and the Northwest nursing program," said Dr. Denise Bynum, division director of Nursing.

Sophomores Blaze Whitney Brannon of Senatobia, president; Laura Christine Everly of Southaven; Matthew Hamilton Guthrie of Oxford; Jamie M. Houston of Hernando; Taylor L. Inglish of Senatobia; Valerie Agnes Leathers of Olive Branch; John William Lewis of Oxford; Harley B. Mason of Como; Albert F. Mullins of Southaven, Ashleigh Braddock Olivo of Southaven; Latrinia Payne of Horn Lake; Erica Jenal Sharp of Olive Branch, secretary; Isis Page Smith-Williams of Sarah, vice president and Melissa N. Springfield of Southaven were the first Northwest inductees.

Students who are inducted into Alpha Delta Nu are required to have a 3.0 GPA in their nursing classes and a 3.0 GPA overall during their freshman year, and they must maintain their GPA during their sophomore year. They are also required to have demonstrated conduct on campus and in their clinical areas that reflects integrity and professionalism.

Once selected as provisional members, they are required to complete a project that promotes nursing education to the community or other nursing students. This year's inductees presented a poster project to the Freshman I class. Their project dealt with how to identify psychiatric illnesses through signs and symptoms and what a nurse's responsibility is in these types of illnesses.

Northwest is among eight colleges in Mississippi with Alpha Delta Nu chapters. Others are Coahoma, Hinds, East Mississippi, Mississippi Delta, Meridian and Pearl River Community Colleges, Jones County Junior College and the Mississippi University for Women.

Reed feels like the society will be a motivation for students to strive to get good grades and will also benefit them after they graduate. "We wanted to do this for the students, so that they can be proud of what they have achieved. We need to encourage them and honor them," Reed said.

For more information on Northwest's nursing program, visit the website at northwestms.edu or contact the Nursing Division at 662-562-3283.