Newman University recognized 26 candidates for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the Fall 2015 Nurses’ Pinning ceremony held Dec. 11 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 baccalaureate 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.
The ceremony included a welcome from Newman Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Austin, 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. Vetter pointed to a 2010 report issued by the Institute of Medicine on “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health,” which called for nurses to take an active role in transforming healthcare around the world. In December, the Institute of Medicine provided a follow-up report on the progress nursing has made, Vetter said.
“The highlights from this report show nursing is making a wide-reaching impact by providing quality, patient-centered, accessible, and affordable care,” Vetter said. “You each possess the ability to transform society – to transform healthcare. As you enter this profession and work alongside your peers, remember to look to the future; be a leader, strive for quality and safety, 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 Fall 2015 award was bestowed upon Emily Spexarth of Colwich, Kan. Spexarth was active in Campus Ministry at Newman, as well as the Jets for Life Club and the Newman Nurses Club. She also volunteered to help children learn to read at All Saints Catholic School.
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The Newman University BSN candidates for Fall 2015 are:
Augusta, Kan.
Caitlin Ray *
Clearwater, Kan.
Molly Ward
Colwich, Kan.
Laura Dold
Emily Spexarth
Derby, Kan.
Nicole Heckart
Eureka, Kan.
Ian Chavez
Garden Plain, Kan.
Clarissa Stuhlsatz
Great Bend, Kan.
Rubi Torres
Haysville, Kan.
Casandra Brown
Maize, Kan.
Clarissa Leidholt *
Syracuse, Kan.
Kylee Hedberg
Towanda, Kan.
Ashlee Martin
Udall, Kan.
Danielle Chavez-Kenny
Wellington, Kan.
Chelsy Page
Wichita, Kan.
Heather Bandy
Gina Diaz-Siruta
Lindsey Dosdall
Tory Freeman
Melissa Jordan
Loise Maina *
Luisa Montalvo Marcena
Elizabeth Nguyen
Catrina Weeden
Jin Yon
Panama City Beach, Fla.
Amanda Jordan *
Ponca City, Okla.
Abby Fry
* Denotes Sigma Theta Tau International nursing honor society inductee
Interested in a career in nursing? Learn about the Newman University Nursing Program here.
