Shelly Meredith earns White Coat

 A LaRue County resident is one of the members of the third class of Lindsey Wilson College students officially accepted into the college’s baccalaureate nursing program.

Lindsey Wilson College nursing student Shelly Meredith of Magnolia received her white coat from Dr. Phil Aaron of Columbia Saturday at the Ceremony of Blessing and Transition in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

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Lindsey Wilson College Assistant Chaplain Rev. Carol Weddle, left, gives a blessing to the hands of LWC nursing student Shelly Meredith of Magnolia Saturday afternoon at the Ceremony of Blessing and Transition in V.P. Henry Auditorium. The ritual served to remind nursing students of LWC’s connection with The United Methodist Church.

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Shelly Meredith of Magnolia was among 27 LWC nursing students who were presented their laboratory coats Saturday at the Ceremony of Blessing and Transition at V.P. Henry Auditorium. The white iconic coats – which were furnished by Dr. Phil Aaron of Columbia – symbolize the student’s acceptance into LWC’s baccalaureate nursing program. After this school year, the students will have two more academic years until they receive a bachelor of science degree in nursing.

In addition to being presented white lab coats, the LWC nursing students also received a washing and blessing of their hands from LWC Assistant Chaplain Rev. Carol Weddle. The ritual served to remind them of the college’s connection with The United Methodist Church, which founded the college in 1903.

The 27 students recognized Saturday are part of one of LWC’s fastest-growing majors. A total of 70 students are classified as nursing majors, and the first nursing cohort is on track to graduate next spring; an additional 104 students are declared pre-nursing majors, according to LWC Nursing Division Chair Marian Smith.