East Central College - Rolla

05/22/2026

On May 16, ECC nursing students from the Union and Rolla programs were honored during the annual Nursing Pinning Ceremony before crossing the stage later that day as members of the Class of 2026. 🎓

The ceremony celebrated the students’ hard work, dedication, and commitment to the nursing profession as they prepare to begin careers serving patients and communities across the region. 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Several students were also recognized with special awards:
☑️ Ava Brand — Outstanding Nursing Student (Union)
☑️ Amy Studdard — Outstanding Nursing Student (Rolla)
☑️ Shelbi Tittel — Spirit of Clinical Excellence (Union)
☑️ Jacey Spurgeon — Spirit of Clinical Excellence (Rolla)

Read more and view awardphotos from the ceremony ⇨
www.eastcentral.edu/blog/nursing-graduates-celebrated-at-pinning-ceremony/

05/06/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our students recognized at the Rolla Student Achievement Night last week!

The annual event celebrated the hard work, leadership, and accomplishments of ECC students. We’re proud of all the students honored and excited to see what’s ahead for them. 👏

05/02/2026

We had a great evening celebrating National Poetry Month at our recent Poetry Night in Rolla.
The event brought together students, community members, and guests to share and enjoy the power of words. 📖

A special thank-you to featured poet Jossalyn Gale for an inspiring reading, and to everyone who attended and participated. 💬

05/02/2026

We had a great evening celebrating National Poetry Month at our recent Poetry Night in Rolla.

The event brought together students, community members, and guests to share and enjoy the power of words. 📖

A special thank-you to featured poet Jossalyn Gale for an inspiring reading, and to everyone who attended and participated. 💬
Gale is a poet and professor of English and Technical Communication at Missouri S&T, and director of S&T's Writing and Communication Center.

04/30/2026

The Rolla Student Nurse Organization recently organized a donation collection for the Friday Back pack program. 🎒

This program sends a bag of child-friendly food home with local students to help supplement their weekend meals.

04/19/2026

A big congratulations to East Central College’s Radiologic Technology Student Bowl team for taking 4th place at the 2026 Missouri Society of Radiologic Technologists Student Bowl Competition. 👏🏽

Congratulations to Morgan Hinson, Tyler Hopen, Lucy Long, and Alexia Duncan, and to coach Laura Ditmeyer, on this outstanding achievement. ECC is proud of the way this team represented the College. 📚

04/04/2026

🌎 East Central College Rolla is hosting its first Earth Day event on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at 500 Forum Dr.

The ECC Green Committee and Student Engagement Council are seeking additional tables and interactive activities. Community organizations, student groups, and academic areas are invited to participate.

The event will feature hands-on environmental science activities, sustainability, and environmental awareness.

Interested in hosting a booth or activity? Sign up by April 8 ⇨ https://tinyurl.com/4hybd7xh

Questions: Olivia ([email protected]
) or Dr. VonTress ([email protected]
)

Event Timing: April 18th, 2026 10am-1pm Event Address: 500 Forum, Rolla, MO Contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]

03/18/2026

🎨Creativity is helping bring complex concepts to life in Julie Chirban’s class at ECC-Rolla.

Second-year nursing students are using illustrations and characters to better understand endocrine disorders:

Hyperthyroidism – Toasty Tony
Hypothyroidism – Ida Ho
Hypoparathyroidism – Twitchin Timmy
Hyperparathyroidism – Slappy

By connecting symptoms, diagnostics, and treatment to visual concepts, students are reinforcing what they learn in a way that sticks.

03/16/2026

Spring Break is here! ☀️

East Central College will be closed this week for Spring Break.
The College will reopen on Monday, March 23.

03/15/2026

Phi Theta Kappa’s Beta Omicron Phi chapter at ECC Rolla welcomed new members during an induction ceremony on Sunday, March 8. 🏆

Twenty-five students have joined the chapter so far in 2026. The ceremony featured keynote speaker Ashley Crilly, Interim Senior Director of Undergraduate Enrollment Management at Missouri S&T. 🎓

During the event, Dr. Aurelia Von Tress was also inducted as an Honorary Member of the chapter.

Congratulations to the newest members!

📸 Photos courtesy of Kevin Dixon.

03/11/2026

ECC Rolla nursing students took part in a unique hands-on learning experience last week when Phelps Health hosted the Mizzou Pediatric Simulation Bus on Wednesday. 🏥

During the visit, first- and second-year nursing students worked together in teams to respond to pediatric simulation scenarios. The exercises gave students the opportunity to collaborate on patient care, practice clinical decision-making, and experience realistic healthcare situations.

It was a valuable learning opportunity and a fun experience for both group s.