ELLISVILLE – Ten, new graduates of the Jones College Radiologic Technology program celebrated with their families, faculty and Jones administrators in a virtual, Ceremony of Completion. Mandy Pearson M.S. R. T. (R)., Jones College’s Radiologic Technology Director said this class has endured and persevered over the last two years overcoming several obstacles. Halfway through the program, all of the lab equipment was removed and replaced with new, state-of-the-art equipment thanks to a grant from the Asbury Foundation. This class has also adapted to the switch in instructional changes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, Pearson said these students have pushed through each challenge successfully.
“They have remained focused and determined to get to this day. We are proud of the hard work and effort they put forth to earn their degrees. We are confident each student is prepared and will be successful on their A.R.R.T. Certification Examination to become Registered Radiologic Technologists,” said Pearson.
Students in health care programs were not allowed to attend their clinical labs with concerns about spreading the Coronavirus. Sara Sadler of Columbus said she never imagined a pandemic would affect the course of her education and graduation. However, the restrictions turned out to be blessings.
“My instructors made the transition from a traditional, in the classroom setting to an online format very easily and it was understandable. Providing the virtual face-to-face lectures, notes, videos and encouraging words prepared me to conquer my final semester at Jones,” said Sadler. “The interruptions caused by COVID-19 were blessings in disguise. Through the obstacles faced, I am more thankful for devoted instructors, I am more patient and understanding that good things take time and I am better prepared to enter the healthcare workforce.”
The virtual graduation ceremony recognized several students including Kelly Odom of Hattiesburg as the Academic Student of the Year. The honor of, Clinical Student of the Year was awarded to Emily McLaurin of Laurel. Brett Bounds of Moselle was awarded the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists Scholarship and Taylor Bryant of Mize received the Mississippi Radiological Society Scholarship.
For more information about the Jones College Radiologic Technology program, http://www.jcjc.edu/programs/radiography/ or contact by email Mandy Pearson at mandy.pearson@jcjc.edu or Brittany Barron at brittany.barron@jcjc.edu.
