Radiation Therapy Class of 2025 Honored in Pinning Ceremony

Hanceville, Ala. — Wallace State Community College celebrated the Radiation Therapy Class of 2025 during a pinning ceremony held Wednesday, Aug. 6, in the James C. Bailey Center Auditorium.

Program Director Kelli Rich noted the ceremony marked a significant milestone for the graduating students, symbolizing both the culmination of their academic journey and the beginning of their professional careers in radiation therapy.

“Today is not just the end of an educational journey, but the beginning of a transformative career,” Rich said. “This pin represents more than just a piece of metal. It symbolizes the knowledge you’ve gained, the challenges you’ve overcome and the growth you’ve experienced. Wear it with pride and let it serve as a beacon of inspiration.”

Radiation Therapy Instructor Leesa Cordell also spoke, sharing personal reflections on the class’s compassion and resilience.

“They are dedicated, hardworking, driven and compassionate,” Cordell said. She said they supported her through personal milestones and challenges and have shown a true calling to serve others.

“This group has earned today in more ways than one,” she said.

Cordell highlighted the class’s commitment to service, noting their participation in Operation Christmas Child, an initiative that sends gifts to children in remote areas around the world.

 

Two students were recognized for outstanding achievements:

• Clinical Excellence Award: Wesley Davis of Florence.
• Academic Excellence Award: Nixshia Maldanado of Oneonta.

The full list of Radiation Therapy graduates includes:

• Blountsville: Fabian Mejia
• Cullman: Beckett Calvert, Rachel Wisener
• Florence: Wesley Davis
• Hayden: Riley Simpson
• Lacey’s Spring: Kelsey Borden
• Oneonta: Nixshia Maldanado, Allison Willis
• Somerville: Maliheh Bond

Radiation Therapy is part of the Diagnostic Imaging program at Wallace State and offers an associate degree in applied science that can be completed in four semesters. Two semesters of prerequisite courses are required before applying to the program. For more information contact Leesa Cordell at 256.352.7446 or leesa.cordell@wallacestate.edu or visit www.wallacestate.edu/radiationtherapy.

Registration for the Fall 2025 semester is underway, with classes beginning on Aug. 19 for regular and Mini Term I and Oct. 16 for Mini Term II. Registration and classes begin Aug. 26 for Flex Start Term I and Sept. 2 for Flex Start Term II. For more information, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call Lion Central at 256.352.8236.

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About Wallace State

Wallace State Community College (Ala.), a member of the Alabama Community College System, is a comprehensive community college in north central Alabama offering more than 200 options in academic, health and technical programs of study leading to an associate degree, certificate or transfer, as well as workforce-credit training and adult education. An Achieving the Dream Leader College, nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as a Rising Star for the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, ranked by Southern Business and Development among the Top 3 institutions in the South for workforce development, named a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing and the National Security Administration, rated the Top Online Community College in Alabama, a Military Friendly Institution and an All-Steinway School, Wallace State is an outstanding place for students to pursue their education and career goals. Classes are offered online and on campus, day, evening and on weekends, with numerous start dates each year. Visit Wallace State’s beautiful main campus located on 300-acres in Hanceville, Ala., our satellite location in downtown Oneonta, Ala., find us online at www.wallacestate.edu, or call 256.352.8000.