Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing (MCN) has announced the graduation of its first cohort of nursing students in Springfield, marking a historic milestone for the college and the surrounding community. The inaugural class of 25 students received their degrees during a commencement ceremony held in May 2025. Over 30% of the graduating class has accepted positions 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, Memorial Health’s chief nursing officer emeritus. “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 health care 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, MCN dean emeritus. “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 MCN education, students engaged in the same rigorous academic coursework as those studying at the Normal campus. They also gained hands-on clinical experiences at Memorial Health’s hospitals and clinics. Many graduates have already secured positions at Memorial Health and will provide exceptional 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 benefiting 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 ’25, one of Springfield’s inaugural graduates. “This led to my decision to accept a full-time ICU RN (intensive care unit registered nurse). 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 students each fall, comprised of around 60 transfer students in Normal and around 30 transfer students in Springfield. With last year’s National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate of 96%, MCN beats both the state and national average and is highly sought after by prospective students.
To learn more, visit Nursing.IllinoisState.edu or contact MCNInfo@IllinoisState.edu.
