EMCC Inducts 2 Into Alpha Delta Nu

Nursing students Lauren Simpson of West Point, left, and Cindy Miller of Starkville are joined by East Mississippi Community College President Dr. Rick Young following their induction into the Alpha Delta Nu nursing honor society Thursday at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus. Simpson and Miller are among six EMCC Associate Degree Nursing students to be inducted into Alpha Delta Nu.

MAYHEW, Miss. (Press Release) — Two students in East Mississippi Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program were inducted into the Alpha Delta Nu honor society Thursday.

Cindy Miller of Starkville and Lauren Simpson of West Point were inducted into the nursing honor society during a small ceremony at the Golden Triangle campus. The ceremony was just the second Alpha Delta Nu induction since the ADN program was reinstated at EMCC’s Golden Triangle campus in 2011. Miller and Simpson join four previous EMCC inductees.

Miller is retired from the Starkville School District after a 25-year teaching career. She holds degrees in microbiology and secondary education from Mississippi State but called the ADN program at EMCC “the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

“It’s been a challenge with a 50-year-old brain instead of an 18-year-old brain. But I’m more settled now and my kids are grown and this is something I wanted to do for myself,” said Miller.

Simpson decided she wanted to be a nurse at 16 when she witnessed the care her father received in the hospital shortly before he passed away.

“The nurses were with him all the time and so supportive of him and us. I decided I wanted to be that person and be with people and their families when they’re at very vulnerable times in their lives,” said Simpson.

However, with a young son at home and a husband who works long hours, Simpson has sacrificed something most take for granted.

“It’s been a lot of sleepless nights. I don’t remember what sleep feels like,” she joked.

EMCC nursing instructor Rosie Wilbon said both inductees have distinguished themselves as leaders and tireless workers, and that membership in Alpha Delta Nu will offer them the chance to network with the top tier of nursing students and workers.

“Cindy has so much energy. And her will to do the best she can is always over the top. Lauren is more quiet and laid back but awesome also. She’s always at 110 percent,” said Wilbon.

Both students plan to pursue higher degrees in nursing and to practice in the Golden Triangle.