Auburn’s Neville Arena on August 5 was the venue for a distinctive ceremony when 124 nursing graduates received their pins. The pinning ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition which is often more personally meaningful than the graduation ceremony. While graduation highlights the completion of academic study, the pinning ceremony marks the transition from student to nurse. Pinning is unlike any graduation ceremony because it honors nursing graduates who will work in a career where they will have to be selfless for the good of many others.
This exciting time in a college student’s life comes around every four or five years! It 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 a professional world.
The following awards were presented at the ceremony:
Dean's Award was presented to Angelica Baker, who has demonstrated the qualities that best exemplify professional nursing.
Maren Stiles was named Graduation Marshal, an honor given to a graduate who exemplifies outstanding leadership, academic, and professional abilities. Honorees represent AUSON by carrying the gonfalon at the graduation ceremony.
Outstanding Contribution to the School of Nursing Award was presented to Allison Loehr who brought recognition to the School of Nursing by active participation in university and community organizations.
Most Supportive Student Award was presented to Jane Newberry. Newberry was voted by fellow students as being most supportive of fellow students.
Faculty Award was presented to Sara Daoust for academic excellence.
Perseverance Award was presented to Taylor Ho who demonstrated perseverance by overcoming limitations or challenging circumstances during her time in nursing school.
Sigma Award was presented to Don DeVenny. 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.
"Nurse of Nurses" Annual Award was presented to Caroline Knight. 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?”
RN-BSN Faculty Award was presented to Alyssa Conner for academic excellence.
We congratulate the new graduates on their well-deserved success and wish them good luck in their future endeavors!
