SAVANNAH — Two junior Savannah Technical College nursing students were awarded BYRD/MIZE scholarships from the Georgia Licensed Practical Nursing Association (GLPNA) at its annual conference in Macon on Nov. 2. Chosen were Kathy Utterback and Tamisha Pratt, both of Savannah.

The women were selected based on a statewide competitive process based on academic excellence and a personal essay.  They will receive $250 each and a one-year student membership in the GLPNA.

Another STC student, Shavon Campbell, also of Savannah, delivered the keynote address to the conference and encouraged all in attendance to persevere and never give up on your goals.

Thirty-two STC nursing students attended the one-day conference accompanied by faculty members Betty Butler (Savannah campus), Kissiah Moore and Ruby Jones (both from the Liberty campus).

The STC nursing program has been recognized for its excellence in preparing students for the LPN certification exam (NCLEX-PN). In spring 2009, Savannah Technical College nursing students scored a pass rate of 91.43 on the exam; the statewide average is 82 percent. Department Head and Instructor Asha Anumolu credits the success to the use of a strong curriculum and pre-testing as an indicator of success on the NCLEX.

“We adopted an exit test for all of our students that is a comprehensive predictor of their success in passing the NCLEX exam,” she said. “Our pass rate is 90 percent while the national average is 63.7 percent. It’s been very successful for our students.”

Savannah Technical College enrolls 35 students in Licensed Practical Nursing and accepts new applications every fall and spring through a competitive admissions process.