Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) held its nursing pinning ceremony for December nursing graduates in the PK Parlor in Le Fer Hall. This year, all pin recipients were students in the online Paramedic to BSN program at SMWC, the first group to graduate since it began in January 2023. Marcia Miller, Ph.D., RN, dean of the Division of Nursing and Sciences, addressed nursing graduates, families and friends. Awards were also presented during the ceremony. Sherrie Mansfield, professional advisor and retention navigator, was presented with the Friends of Nursing Award. Additionally, Amanda O’Brien, MSN, CPNP, senior lecturer of nursing, was presented with the Outstanding Nursing Instructor award. During the ceremony, student awards were also presented. Ashley Lucas received the Outstanding Clinical Performance award. Anthony Taylor received an award for Outstanding Quality Improvement Project. Kelly Russ was the recipient of the Outstanding Leadership and Service award.
Crystal White, DNP, FNP-C, RN, the FNP program director, individually blessed each graduate’s hands before the pinning portion of the program.
For the pinning, each recipient was called and received their pin from a family member, friend, mentor or nursing faculty member. The pin adorns a lamp, symbolizing the lit lamp used by Florence Nightingale while caring for injured soldiers during the Crimean War. It reiterates the meaning of nursing with care and hope. The nursing pin and the ceremonial pinning tradition originated in the late 1800s.
List of December BSN graduates:
Catherine Bailey
Joshua Frye
Stephanie Hughes
Amanda Jones
Ashley Lucas
Christy McCammon
Loren Prichett
Kelly Russ
Sara Severn
Robvis Stamp
Anthony Taylor
Ashley Toney
Emily Wheatfill
Jaclyn Witham
Nursing Pinning Photo Gallery
View photos from the ceremony