May. 15, 2012

The annual Nurses Pinning Ceremony for students graduating in the program was held Friday, May 4 at Shawnee State University's Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.

The nursing pin is a public symbol of work well done. It originated from the time when the Crusaders marched to Jerusalem to recover the Holy Land. Among those Crusaders were the Hospitallers in black robes with a white Maltese cross sewed on the front of the robe. That cross became the symbol of groups who cared for the sick.

The pin itself relates to customs from the 16th century. It was a symbol of noblemen who served kings with distinction. Later, the privilege was extended to schools, and Florence Nightingale chose the Maltese cross for the badge worn by the graduates of her school of nursing. In modern times, each school has a unique pin that is symbolic of the program.

Students receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing at the 2012 Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 5, are Seth Carr, Lori Castle, Hayley Castle, Drew Hatfield, Gretchen Ngaruiya, Bindy Patel, Courtney Thornsberry and Tina Veach. 

Students receiving an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing are Stefane R. Adams, Joseph Adkins, Arishala Anderson, Michelle Bodmer, Zach Call, Lauren Cannoy, Ashley Chaplin, Ericka Michelle Colbert, Kassandra Michelle Cooper, Jazel DeAutremont, Kelli Jo Durham, Ashley Nicole Fischer, Monica D. Ford, Cassidy Alexander Fox, Whitney Genell Gammon, Nicole Johnson, Mallorie Kennedy, Danielle LeMaster, Rob Lemons, Jessica Liming, Eric Marasek, Jessica Marie Mayer, Rachel Renē Michele Mize, Kara Radatz, Brittany Reading, Denise A. Rogers, Belinda S. Rose, Kylie Salyers, Ashley Speas, Cassandra Marie Spires, Sarah J. Spradlin, Lakan Tackett, Kathleen M. Titus, Barbara Tolle, Kurtis R. Underwood, Fallon J. Hugger-Wells and Lisa G. Whisman.