Separated by seven decades; joined by a passion for nursing
A nursing student at Methodist College is working toward her dream of providing exceptional care for others – all the while, following in the footsteps of a family member who chased her dream in the same setting decades prior.
Sydney Webb, a senior in the college’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, always knew she wanted to help people in her career.
After touring the campus and meeting with faculty leaders, Webb determined Methodist College was the perfect setting to receive the education and experience she needed to achieve that goal.
She says the fact that her great-grandmother – Marcille Frevert – attended the college and became a nurse more than seven decades before, was an added bonus.
“I love it here – this is where I wanted to go. And it meant a lot to me that she attended as well,” Webb said.
“I’m so happy Sydney chose this path. When she first said she was interested, I thought, ‘Oh my goodness – that’s great!’” Frevert added. “There are so many opportunities now and Methodist College is making it so she can do anything she wants to do. I’m very proud of her.”
Technology changes, but the mission stays the same
In 2025, Methodist College will celebrate 125 years of educating nursing in the Peoria community. Throughout its history, the college has created a unique and high-quality learning environment for the area’s future nurses, healthcare administrators, social workers and other clinical care providers.
Frevert (second from right in the photo below) was a part of the nursing cohort that graduated in 1950. She then went on to enter a career that spanned more than 40 years.
It was certainly a different time – I can’t get over how things have changed at the college now,” Frevert said. “There are things we had never heard of – students are so lucky to have the technology they have today.
Frevert remembers her experience at Methodist College was very hands-on, rooted in best practice and focused on high quality, passionate care.
She and her classmates received training in various departments of multiple hospitals, including the State Hospital of Bartonville and the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
“We would go in and work on the floors from seven until 11. We would then go back in the evening and work from four until seven,” Frevert said. “It was a long journey and I enjoyed every bit of it.”
Fast-forward to today: Webb receives hands-on training from a passionate group of staff and faculty using state-of-the-art healthcare education technology – all right on the college’s campus.
Additionally, her clinical rotations – which include training in Obstetrics, Pediatrics and Behavioral Health among other clinical specialties – are completed locally at Carle Health Methodist Hospital.
“All of my instructors are so helpful. They want the students to have new experiences and they actively seek out new ways to make those experiences count,” Webb said. “They care about helping us treat patients, have good communication, be good people and become the best nurses we can be.”
Reaching new heights
Methodist College’s ever-expanding commitment to guide its students, faculty and staff to success was recently placed in high regard as the college achieved the highest National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) scores in central Illinois.
The college also recently unveiled a new phase of its brand identity, emphasizing its commitment to innovation in supporting students and adapting to the changing landscape of healthcare. The new look brings an invigorated learning environment for the nearly 250 students.
Amid the institution’s growth and innovation over the years, its message and mission for students has remained the same.
“Nursing is both an art and a science. We really focus on that throughout our curriculum – hands-on care delivery and meeting the needs of our patients, in addition to the science,” Kayla Banks, PhD, Chancellor of Methodist College, said. “We want to focus on maintaining the tradition of Methodist College while highlighting all that we’ve accomplished over more than a century.”
Inspiration for generations
That balance is one that Webb feels every day as she works closely with the latest in classroom instructional technology, including life-like mannequins that can speak, feel, and react like real patients.
She says everything, from the college’s state-of-the-art simulation lab to its classrooms, which are equipped with Smart technology, helps enhance and facilitate engaged active learning in each of her courses.
“The mannequin is great because you can start out, learn your way through and by the time you are working with the patient, you are knowledgeable, comfortable and confident. This makes it easier on the patient and gives them the best care and experience,” Webb said.
“It’s amazing and hard to believe how it has changed. A lot of things remain the same - they just go about it a bit differently,” Frevert added. “We had a mannequin and we learned how to care for them at the bedside, but they weren’t able to communicate with us the way they can now.”
Webb says she would one day like to work in Labor & Delivery and become a certified midwife. She adds that her teachers and instructors have also inspired her to want to teach others down the line.
Webb’s chosen career path means the world to Frevert, who continues to encourage others to enter the field and receive the same, great education she and her great-granddaughter did – close to home at Methodist College.
“Nursing is a wonderful experience. Nowadays, there are so many avenues and opportunities you can go into. You can choose an area and go on from there,” Frevert said.
Frevert urges anyone interested in the medical profession to consider nursing and is thrilled to see her great granddaughter thrive at a place that means so much to her.
“Our students come to us knowing ahead of time what their goals are. They know the path they want to achieve, and our mission is to honor that. Marcille and Sydney are such a special reminder of the 125 years that this college has made a difference for our students and the community and continue to motivate us for the next 100,” Banks said.
Request more information on Methodist College, or find opportunities to visit campus here. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming 125th Anniversary of Methodist College celebrations.