Et cetera : AREA STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM ALLEN COLLEGE

The following students received a degree from Allen College.The College awarded 81 degrees during its commencement ceremony on Friday, December 20, 2024.

Allen College conferred 4 Bachelor of Health Sciences in Public Health degrees, 34 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees, 16 Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degrees, 16 Master of Science of Nursing degrees, 8 Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees and 3 Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees.

Allen College held its graduation ceremony at the Waterloo Convention Center. The ceremony celebrated graduates from both the School of Nursing and the School of Health Sciences. The speaker for the ceremony was Susan Wirtjes.

Ms. Wirtjes began her nursing career at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC and later founded the La Leche League in Waterloo in 1973, advocating for breastfeeding and maternal support. She expanded her role in maternal education by teaching Childbirth Education starting in 1976. Susan's career evolved as she moved to the Substance Abuse Unit, where she worked as a staff nurse before advancing to nursing supervisor and eventually program director. In recognition of her expertise, she earned certification as a Nationally Certified Chemical Dependency Nurse.

In 1995, Susan established a Breastfeeding Education Program at Covenant Medical Center. In retirement, she continues to contribute to the field, as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, where she provided expertise and support to new mothers.

Allen College offers degrees in both health sciences and nursing. Information on Allen College is available at www.allencollege.edu.

### Allen College is a private multi-purpose college for nursing and health sciences professions located in Waterloo, Iowa. Allen College was established as a degree-granting institution in 1989 and its development is traced back to the formation of the Allen Memorial Hospital Nurses Training School in 1925. Allen College offers Associate of Science in Radiography, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Education and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees.

Area Students:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Evans Franki, Vinton, Cum Laude

Master of Science in Nursing

Craig Nicole, Urbana

Complete list:

Bachelor of Health Sciences - Public Health

Last Name First Name Hometown Honors

Hoffman Makenna Carroll Summa Cum Laude

Kalb Anna Dubuque Magna Cum Laude

Miller Melissa Cedar Falls Magna Cum Laude

Verhalen Kourtney Clear Lake Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Last Name First Name Hometown Honors

Aswegen Missy Parkersburg Magna Cum Laude

Augustine Margaret Marshalltown

Bantz Shaylyn Mason City Magna Cum Laude

Baumler Katlyn Waucoma Cum Laude

Claus-Davis Destiny Waterloo Cum Laude

Connell Emily Slater

Connolly Elli Farley Cum Laude

Corson Sydney Cedar Falls

Crow Eleanor Tiffin Summa Cum Laude

Dahl Branigan New Hampton

Evans Franki Vinton Cum Laude

Gerardy Kaylee Eldridge Magna Cum Laude & Service

Guldager Diana Cedar Falls

Hauser Katryna Stout Cum Laude

Howard Taylan Boone

Jensenius Haley Janesville

Jones Taylor Marshalltown

Kallenbach Lily Norwalk

King Haylee Cedar Falls

Krapfl Caroline Epworth Summa Cum Laude

Loger Sierra Dike Cum Laude

Mathes Gabriella Mason City Magna Cum Laude

McDermott Nell Dyersville

McKenna Madison Hudson

Mills Payton Dike Magna Cum Laude

Neuroth Malea Parkersburg Magna Cum Laude

Randall Avery Melbourne Cum Laude

Schares Reese Washburn Cum Laude

Schlatter Taylor Winterset Magna Cum Laude

Schultz Anna Waverly

Stuart Clara Chariton Cum Laude

Trende Lauren Cresco Magna Cum Laude & Service

Weepie Morgan Dunkerton Magna Cum Laude

Wolf Kathryn Waterloo Service

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Last Name First Name Hometown

Adair Paige Reinbeck

Beary Emily Albia

Bernstein Shoshanna Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bugg Cassidy Donnellson

Busta Emily Fort Atkinson

Chambers Shelbie Ankeny

Cooley Alexis Greene

Daugherty Malea Ankeny

Even Walker Gilbertville

Fannon Allyson Sioux City

Foley Meredith Monroe, WI

Harbeck Alyssa Frankfort, IL

Hoefer Meghan Masonville

Porrez Madelyn Fort Dodge

Schreiber Joelie Lanesboro, MN

Schulte Nolan Cedar Rapids

Master of Science in Nursing

Last Name First Name Hometown

Borcherding Britney Cedar Falls

Colby Robert Lynnfield, MA

Craig Nicole Urbana

Creekmur Jennifer Ankeny

Gothard Paul Dubuque

Gross Jennifer Ames

Helms Hannah Iowa City

Hilmer Kaitlin Waverly

Holcombe Alesha Webster City

Johnson Bradley Altoona

Lase Amy Wisner, NE

Meinke Erica Mason City

Otto

(Doughan) Bridget Britt

Petty Cristina Des Moines

Rapien Tanya Waterloo

Thies Lindsey Grimes

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Last Name First Name Hometown

Abuamsha Safa Cleveland, OH

Aimonetti Nicholas Portland, OR

Alexander Samantha Cedar Falls

Blundred Blake Grand Prairie, TX

Duran Nancy Grand Prairie, TX

Heeren Tanner Dubuque

Hennigar Alexis Keokuk

Wilson Havyn Boonville, MO

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Last Name First Name Hometown

Baker Bridget Arlington

Nelsen Jennifer Mason City

Thompson Tricia Waterloo