Virginia Western Community College Alumni Association

Some journeys take a few turns before you find exactly where you’re meant to be.

After first working as a CNA, stepping away from healthcare, becoming a mother, returning to school at night while working full time, and raising a young child, Elizabeth Baringer RN pushed through years of hard work to become a registered nurse.

She completed Virginia Western’s highly competitive nursing program as part of the Class of 2019, later earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing through Radford University, and now hopes to continue her education even further in Nursing Education.

Her story is a reminder that there is no one “right” timeline for success. At Virginia Western, students begin again, change directions, overcome obstacles, and build futures for themselves and their families every day.

“Nursing school was not easy, but when it was all said and done and I received that official email from the Va BON confirming me as a newly licensed registered nurse, my light could never be dimmed.”

We are so proud to celebrate this journey and the dedication, resilience, and compassion behind it.

Thanks to Elizabeth Baringer for sharing her Virginia Western Alumni Story. If you are interested in sharing yours, please reach out to Syreeta at [email protected].

We are so proud to debut our new Alumni Association Logo (along with a shareable badge for you to brag about being an alum!) courtesy of the Virginia Western Marketing Department. Share the ALUM badge on social media to let folks know you are a supporter of the ORIGINAL Virginia Community College!

Thanks to Anne Harmon Hogan for sharing these photos from her 50th reunion!

Here’s her caption:

50th anniversary of our graduation from Nursing school at Virginia Western Community College
We are part of the 1976 class of Professional Nursing.

Starting at the left: front
Cindy Forth (Bohon)
Ann Beheler (Beagle)
Cindy Butler Salay
On the right: front
Susan Swanson (Sower)
Anne Harmon Hogan (Buffey)
Janice Morris Fraley

Such a nice evening with old friends and VWCC classmates
And YES!!! We all said we would do it all over again--- Nursing has been a wonderful Profession. And we all got our start at
Virginia Western Community College.

Thanks to Texas Roadhouse for a great meal and accommodating our special evening.

The keynote speech by Demetrice Forrest was exceptional!

Welcome to the Alumni Association!

Success Coaches at Virginia Western: Locking in a Game Plan “Success Coaches at Virginia Western: Locking in a Game Plan” is a production of the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation, a nonprofit o...