Illinois State University Mennonite College of Nursing has graduated 25 students in its first cohort of nursing students in Springfield, More than 30% of the graduating class have signed on with Memorial Health.
“This momentous occasion is the culmination of a great deal of planning and collaboration between our two organizations,” said Dr. Marsha Prater, CNO Emeritus, Memorial Health. “Memorial Health is proud to have been a strong partner in establishing the MCN Springfield campus in 2023 and is committed to continuing to support this exceptional nursing education program for many years to come. Having the opportunity to add these highly skilled nurses to our workforce will enable us to address the growing healthcare needs of individuals in this region and fulfill our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
“We celebrate not only the accomplishments of our students, but also the beginning of a legacy here in Springfield,” said Dr. Judy Neubrander, Dean Emeritus, Mennonite College of Nursing. “Our Springfield nursing graduates are equipped with the knowledge, compassion, and skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of their patients and communities.”
Throughout their education at MCN, students engaged in the same rigorous academic coursework as the Normal campus and had hands-on clinical experiences at Memorial Health’s hospitals and clinics. Many graduates have already secured positions and will provide care to patients in central Illinois.
“We were thrilled to provide opportunities for these students to gain experience at Springfield Memorial Hospital (SMH) and our Memorial Care clinics,” said Jennifer Bond, vice president and chief nursing officer for SMH. “This partnership with the Mennonite College of Nursing through Illinois State University allows us to expand the capacity of nursing education opportunities within our region. It’s already benefitting our region as several in this first graduating class will begin work at Memorial Health.”
After experiencing clinicals and working at Decatur Memorial Hospital, I found myself drawn to the supportive and friendly environment provided by staff,” said Eddie Trauscht, BSN, one of Springfield’s inaugural students. “This led to my decision to accept a full time ICU RN position. As my career continues, I hope to return to school and begin my journey to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.”
MCN has a 100-plus-year history and joined Illinois State in 1999. The college enrolls a first-year class of about 260 each fall, around 60 transfer students in Normal, and around 30 transfer students in Springfield.
This article appears in SBJ September 2025.