The Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing celebrated its 90th commencement on June 19 with a ceremony at Geneva High School, honoring 14 new graduates poised to enter the healthcare field.
The event, also streamed live on fingerlakes1.com, marked a milestone for the hospital-based nursing school, which has graduated more than 1,800 nurses since its founding in 1956.
The class of 2025 includes: Sophia Cinamella, Abigail Clark, Yassyel Codner-Sone, Nicholas Greco, Allison Kenyon, Shiann LaBar, Delores McDew, Joshua McLaughlin-Waite, Alaina Marie Meath, Haleigh Mills, Makenna Prober, Gabriela Robinson, Logan Shaulis, and NaVashti Wiggins. Each graduate is now eligible to sit for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) exam.
Greg Hoffman-Fragale, Chief Nursing Officer for UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health, opened the ceremony. The President’s Address was delivered by Dr. Jose Acevedo, while Kathleen Mills presented diplomas and gave the Director’s Address. Guest speaker Martha Eddy DiCicco and class speaker Joshua McLaughlin-Waite also took the stage.
Several graduates received special awards:
- Haleigh Mills: Fidelia Harmon Memorial Award (highest academic achievement) and the William J. DiCicco Memorial Award.
- Delores McDew: MSWSPN Service Award and the DAISY Student Award.
- Yassyel Codner-Sone: Marion S. Whelan Memorial Award.
- Nicholas Greco: Alice Bergstresser Memorial Award.
- Joshua McLaughlin-Waite: Advocate Award and DAISY Student Award.
MSWSPN is one of only three hospital-based nursing programs in New York State and was recently recognized among the best LPN programs in the state by Nursing Schools Almanac.
More information about the program is available at mswspn.com.
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