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by Tommy Wells, Public Information Officer for Ranger College
RANGER – Dr. Marnita Guinn spent the past four years nurturing and prodding the Ranger College nursing program in Brownwood through its infancy en route to helping it become one of the state’s elite programs. On Monday evening, the Ranger College Board of Regents showed its appreciation for her hard work by presenting her with a plaque honoring her efforts.
“We are eternally grateful for what Dr. Guinn has done with the Associates Degree of Nursing program in Brownwood,” said Dr. William Campion, as RC Board of Regents President Jackie Stephens presented Guinn with the plaque. “The fact that the we are going forward with a solid nursing program speaks volumes about her and what she has accomplished.”
Guinn said the process of making the Ranger College nursing program one of the state’s best was a long process that began almost five years ago when the college’s Board of Regents authorized the launch of a nursing curriculum at its Brownwood campus. After receiving permission from the state, Guinn said the college began holding classes for area residents. In December 2012, Ranger College’s graduated 20 students – 75 percent of its inaugural class.
Unfortunately for the program, the college’s graduation rate fell 5 percent below the Texas Board of Nursing’s mandated levels, leaving the program just shy of being fully accredited. The following year, several more nurses graduates and helped the program move closer to the acceptable level.
Ranger College’s ADN program arrived in full force last year. Just two years after being established, Guinn said the college had all 13 students enrolled in the program pass their final semester as well as the state’s exam, giving the college a 100-percent passing grade.
The 100-percent grade enabled Ranger College to move into fully accredited status, and earned the Brownwood campus a commendation from the state.
“We didn’t rest on our laurels,” said Guinn. “We worked hard to get things in order. We didn’t graduate as many as we would have liked, but all 13 finished their final semester and passed the Board of Nursing exams.”
“I hope this board is able to see that this program has grown and come to fruition,” said Guinn. “I want to thank them (the board members) for what they have done, not only for us but for everyone in Brown County, Eastland County and the whole area.”
Guinn, who will be stepping down effective Aug. 7 to take a position closer to her home in San Angelo, said approximately 16 students are on track to graduate this December with Associate Degrees in nursing.
“I’m so proud of this program, and all of the hard work everyone has done to make it a reality,” she said.
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