Lake Michigan College senior Asia Allen-Baugher of Coloma is the recipient of the college’s Spirit of Nursing Award for the spring of 2026 nursing cohort.
LMC Nursing Program Director Denise Gardner tells us the Spirit of Nursing Award has been given out by LMC to nursing graduates since 1991. Students nominate their peers.
“The peers really look for those that have a very positive, inclusive attitude, that really are committed to excellence in not only their academics, but in patient care and their clinical setting, and just those that really are a role model and a leader,” Gardner said.
LMC says Allen-Baugher had a career in ophthalmology working as a certified assistant but wanted more. She enrolled in LMC’s nursing program with the help of the Michigan Reconnect program and will soon be going to work for Corewell Health. She’s among 39 LMC nursing graduates who will be recognized at the 79th annual commencement exercises on Sunday, and Gardner says she’s earned it.
“Seeing her commitment to professionalism and helping in a positive way with her peers and then also just having a high standard for patient care in the learning environment.”
Like Allen-Baugher, Gardner says many of the nursing program students graduating this week already have a job lined up.
“Actually, a majority of the group that’s graduating — there’s 25 in this cohort completing this week — and I can’t quote the exact number, but I know that well over a majority of them have already secured a job. And most are staying in our local community, which is who we serve here in Southwest Michigan.”
Allen-Baugher had to balance coursework, clinical rotations, and studying while raising a daughter as she worked her way toward graduation. Her husband worked 12 to 14-hour days to support the family while she pursued her degree. She says after working in other areas of healthcare for ten years, she finally decided it was time to invest in herself to set a good example for her daughter. That’s how she wound up at LMC.
Gardner says she looks forward to Sunday’s commencement ceremonies celebrating all the hard work of students.
“I’m really proud of Asia and the entire cohort. Our nursing program is rigorous, but it’s also a rigorous career path. So I think that they leave here prepared. We have a great program that prepares them for their career and, of course, passing that licensure exam, which is a big step after graduation as well. So excited for all of them and to be able to call them colleagues, nurse colleagues.”
Immediately after graduation, Allen-Baugher will work at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals in St. Joseph on the cardiac progressive floor, the same place where she completed her clinicals as a student. She plans to work for a couple of years before adding another layer of education, leading to her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She says that she’s chosen to put herself in a position where she can advocate for people when they are at their most vulnerable.
