Auburn’s Student Activities Center was the site of the third Pinning Ceremony for the College of Nursing this year! Brimming with a sense of pride and anticipation, families, friends, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the pinning ceremony for the graduating class of Fall 2025. This momentous and distinctive event, held on December 12, marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for the soon-to-be nurses.

Originating from the days of Florence Nightingale, the pinning ceremony has become a rite of passage, steeped in symbolism and history. Since Nightingale’s time, the pinning ceremony has become a meaningful rite of passage for nursing graduates worldwide. The ceremony itself is a symbolic gesture, signifying the graduate’s transition from student to professional nurse. It is a moment when mentors, faculty, and family members recognize not only the academic achievements of the graduates but also their compassion, dedication, and readiness to care for others.

Pinning is a memorable event, accompanied by the delight that comes from accomplishing a goal that students set for themselves when they started the program. The certificate is the reward for hard work and dedication, declaring that they are now ready to step into the professional world.

Dr. Gregg Newschwander, Dean of AU College of Nursing, opened the ceremony reminding graduates of the significance of their chosen profession, about honoring their commitment, compassion, and the countless hours they’ve dedicated to reaching the milestone.

The highlight of the event was, of course, the pinning itself. One hundred and sixteen students graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing in Fall 2025, 95 graduated in the Traditional BSN program and 21 were concurrent/RN to BSN program. Graduates stepped forward, one by one, to receive their pins from Dr. Caralise Hunt, associate dean for academic affairs. Each pin, a symbol of their perseverance and achievement, was carefully placed on their uniforms, marking their official entry into the nursing profession.

The following awards were presented at the ceremony:

Sruti Sanghani was named Graduation Marshal, an honor given to a graduate who exemplifies outstanding leadership, academic, and professional abilities. Honorees represent AUCON by carrying the gonfalon at the graduation ceremony.

The Dean’s Award was presented to Demi Dees, who has demonstrated the qualities that best exemplify professional nursing.

The Outstanding Contribution to the College of Nursing Award was presented to Madison Beavers, who brought recognition to the College of Nursing by active participation in university and community organizations.

The Most Supportive Student Award was presented to Abigail Wistner. This award goes to a student who was nominated by their fellow students for being a positive influence throughout their time in the upper division.

The Faculty Award was presented to Raylie Neeley for academic excellence.

The Perseverance Award was presented to Charlsi Henderson, who demonstrated perseverance by maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA while working during his final academic year.

The Sigma Award was presented to Avery Archer. The award is given to a student who is a member of the National Nursing Honor Society, Sigma. Award recipients have shown their dedication to the Sigma organization and displayed academic, professional and social excellence.

The "Nurse of Nurses" Annual Award was presented to Carley Fields. The student is selected by peers based on the student’s nursing skills, confidence with these skills, and their leadership qualities. The nursing students when voting for the recipient of this award consider the question: “If I were a patient, who in my class would I want to be the nurse caring for me?”

The RN-BSN Faculty Award was presented to Mary Beth Moore, for academic excellence.

The morning ended with a sense of joy and accomplishment, as graduates celebrated with their families at the College, and looked forward to the next chapter of their journey. With their pins proudly displayed, these new nurses are ready to make a difference in the world of healthcare.

The pinning ceremony not only marked the end of one journey but the beginning of another. These graduates are now equipped with the knowledge, skills, and dedication to make a profound impact on the lives of those they care for.

We congratulate the new graduates on their well-deserved success and wish them good luck in their future endeavors! You are the future of healthcare! Your skills and dedication will touch countless lives.