Newman University recognized 26 candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the annual Nurses’ Pinning ceremony held May 15 on the Newman campus.
The event is a tradition in the nursing discipline that dates back approximately 130 years in the United States. At Newman, the director of nursing places nursing pins on graduate candidates’ lapels as a symbol of their completion of the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program. The Newman pin is unique to the university, and was designed by the first graduating BSN class at what was then Kansas Newman College.
A standing-room only crowd of the candidates’ family and friends filled Performance Hall in the De Mattias Fine Arts Center at Newman. The ceremony included a welcome from Newman President Noreen M. Carrocci, Ph.D., a blessing of the pins by Newman Chaplain Fr. John Fogliasso, and a brief address by Director of Nursing Teresa Vetter M.S.N.
“The purpose of the Newman BSN program is to improve the quality of health care by challenging the students to become liberally educated professional nurses capable of empowering others,” Vetter said to the students. “You each possess the ability to transform society each day through your interaction with each patient and team member. As you enter this profession and work alongside your peers, remember to look to the future; be a leader, strive for quality and safety in all you do, and be a life-long learner.”
The ceremony concluded with the naming of the Distinguished BSN Graduate Award. The award is given to a graduating nursing student who has a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade point average and demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the nursing profession and involvement in the Newman and greater Wichita communities. The Spring 2015 award was bestowed upon Hanna Hein of Colwich, Kan.
The BSN candidates for Spring 2015 are:
Andover, Kan.
Tiffany Wilson
Clearwater, Kan.
Sabrina Davis
Colwich, Kan.
Hanna Hein
Taylor Pugh
Elizabeth Unrein
Derby, Kan.
Grace Lewis
Garden Plain, Kan.
Anne Helten
Shaughnessy Stockemer
Goddard, Kan.
Kristena Hawken
Kechi, Kan.
Sarah Kaiser
Mulvane, Kan.
Katharine Wall
Wellington, Kan.
Kaitlyn Buck
Wichita, Kan.
Renae Anderson
Kayla Beckham
Amanda Brannon
Megan Brozek
Mona Dewey
Anastasiya Inchekel
Chad Michler
Olivia Montgomery
George Nyakundi
Bailey Otis
Danika Smith
Amber Stephens
Charise Vasquez
Meghan Wylie
Interested in the Nursing?
Learn more about Newman University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program
Updated 10:27 a.m., May 21, 2015
