Monroe County Community College’s award-winning Nursing Program is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its first graduating class this year. The first graduating class launched one of the most successful and recognized nursing programs in the state of Michigan and the United States.
The college is looking for the 28 graduates of this inaugural Nursing Program Class of 1975 to celebrate and recognize them during this year’s RN Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Meyer Theatre and other activities in the coming weeks. The graduates and family members of the 1975 class of the nursing program are asked to contact Joe Verkennes, director of marketing and communications at MCCC (jverkennes@monroeccc.edu or 734-384-4207) as soon as possible to be added to the invitation list for the Pinning Ceremony and the contact list for other upcoming activities over the next several weeks.
“The Nursing Program Class of 1975 helped set the standard for healthcare education excellence that continues today,” said Christy Chisholm, recently appointed director of nursing at MCCC, “as evidenced by the program’s recognition as No. 1 Nursing Program in Michigan once again for 2025 by NursingProcess.org.” Based on the analysis of 72 nursing programs in Michigan, MCCC’s acceptance, graduation and retention rates, student-to-faculty ration, NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates, affordability and overall reputation, the online guide to nursing and healthcare education recognized MCCC.
“Since that first Nursing Program graduation class in 1975, MCCC’s nursing and healthcare programs have grown exponentially, both in scope and the number of graduates that have and now serve our community,” said Helen Stripling, dean of MCCC’s Health Sciences Division and director of the Respiratory Therapy program.
MCCC now offers
- Registered Nursing (RN) degree
- Bridge option for LPN to RN
- Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate
- Phlebotomy Technician certificate
- Respiratory Therapy (RT) degree
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate
- Health Sciences degree with specialized Psychology or Sociology Transfer Tracks
- New program: Radiography degree
“The graduates of MCCC’s inaugural Nursing Program in 1975 have a lot to be proud of, for leading the way for the College, future students and very importantly our entire community,” added Chisholm. “We are very excited to recognize and celebrate with them all.”
For more information about MCCC’s Health Sciences programs visit https://www.monroeccc.edu/divisions/healthsciences.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.