COMMENCEMENT 2006

Bellin College of Nursing had its largest graduation class ever when 66 nursing students crossed the Meyer Theater stage on Saturday, May 13th.

This special day was made even more special because of the location for the commencement ceremonies. During the program the college honored Betty Rose Meyer and Irene “Billie” Kress, two individuals who have not only given abundantly to the college but to the community as a whole and the Meyer Theater specifically. Kress’ contributions were largely responsible for the refurbishing of the theater’s organ which was played by Gary Bieck of Elkhart Lake during the graduation ceremonies.

Judge Jean DiMotto, MSN, JD, a circuit court judge in Milwaukee, gave the Commencement Address. DiMotto began her career as a registered nurse before earning her law degree and becoming an advocate for nursing.

Bellin College graduates who spoke are Jeffrey Shaha of Green Bay, and Katie Mehlberg of Madison. Both were elected by their classmates to give commencement addresses.

With this graduating class Bellin College of Nursing will have awarded 850 Baccalaureate diplomas since becoming an accredited college in 1988. Prior to 1988 Bellin was a school of nursing. Bellin’s first nursing class started in 1909 when it was Deaconess Sanitarium Training School.

All graduates this year are from Bellin’s undergraduate program, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Next year will mark the first year students from the college’s graduate program will earn their degrees – a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree, a program which Bellin started in 2004.