When Marjorie Lommel graduated from NDSCS in 1974, she had no idea she was the first of many family members to follow in her footsteps, Sally Buckhouse, Lommel’s granddaughter being one of them. Buckhouse graduated in 1999 in nursing, along with her two sisters, Cari graduating in 2001 and Alicia in 2005.
Continuing the nursing legacy, they all agreed NDSCS was the obvious choice for their education. “The program is top notch. There wasn’t a question about where we would go to pursue our education,” said Sally.
Sally’s daughter, Madelyn Larson also chose NDSCS for her education. They celebrated her graduation from the Practical Nursing program at NDSCS in May. Madelyn was also a student leader and Ambassador during her time at NDSCS.
When asked what Sally remembers most about NDSCS, she said, “We were a tight group in the nursing program. Everyone leaned on each other because we were all in it for the long haul,” said Buckhouse. She shared memories of her instructors, Ruth Gladen and Barb Diederick as caring and compassionate instructors. Buckhouse said the classes were tough and knew that she had to take it one class at a time, one test at a time, and sometimes even on assignment at a time, “It truly prepared me for what would come — it’s a balancing act which is also true in the real world.” Buckhouse expressed students who attend NDSCS have an advantage through the clinical experiences, “There is so much hands-on learning from day one and that is important in nursing.”
Buckhouse’s middle daughter, Sophie is next in the family to attend NDSCS. She will be entering the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program. Sophie explored her options, but ultimately felt NDSCS was the most affordable and offered everything she was looking for in a college.
Buckhouse works for Sanford Clinic in Wahpeton for more than 10 years and credits her education for giving her the tools necessary to be successful. When asked what it means to be a Wildcat, Sally said, “It’s having a sense of pride that you went to school at NDSCS, for me, it’s my hometown and it was/is a great place to be.”
Pictured left to right: Alicia Albertson, Sally Buckhouse, Madelyn Larson, Marjorie Lommel, Cari Vesta.