WVU School of Nursing celebrates first Bridgeport Campus graduates

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The West Virginia University School of Nursing celebrated its first graduates from the Bridgeport Campus on Thursday, Aug. 8 during a pinning ceremony at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center.

“Celebrating our first graduating class is such an incredible milestone for our Bridgeport Campus,” said Dr. Veronica Gallo, Bridgeport Campus Chair. “I am so proud of these students for being our pioneers in the program and leading the way for future cohorts.”

A total of 15 graduates successfully completed the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at the Bridgeport Campus, which is housed on the fifth floor of WVU Medicine United Hospital Center.

The graduates are Adam Ailes, Riley Bennett, Jonathan Brager, Courtney Brown, Delaney Buck, Miguel Carunungan, Sidney Cullers, Emily Deneen, Kayla Kelly, Roger King, Courtney-Dee Kovar, Kristen Marlowe, Melanie Maroun, Sara Nayeem and Tyler Savage.

“I wanted to become a nurse because I love the challenge and the diversity of the field, with opportunities to specialize in areas that align with my interests,” said Delaney Buck, of Morgantown. “This career path seemed like the best fit for what I wanted to do in my life, and I am so grateful that I am now able to do what I love.”

The Bridgeport Campus features state-of-the art classrooms and skills labs just steps away from the clinical facility. The program’s first cohort began courses in January 2023.

The ABSN program provides accelerated entry into the nursing profession for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. The program runs five full-time semesters, or 18 months in length, and consists of 66 credits of nursing curriculum.

“People will tell you that nursing school is the hardest thing you will ever go through, that programs are cutthroat, and that you are easily disposable, but not at WVU,” said Melanie Maroun, of West Milford, New Jersey. “I have never felt more empowered in my educational career, and I have never performed better academically.”

“WVU School of Nursing was one of the best decisions I have made yet,” Maroun added. “The lifelong friends I have made, the professors who have comforted me during hard times, and learning from all the nurses at UHC have made my time at the Bridgeport Campus an incredible experience.”

During the ceremony, two students were recognized for their academic achievements. Sara Nayeem was presented with the “Student Scholar” award and Roger King was presented with the “Excellence in Nursing” award.

For more information about the WVU School of Nursing, visit nursing.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Wendy Holdren

Director of Communications and Marketing

WVU School of Nursing

304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu