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Nurses Pinning Ceremony | May 7, 2026

Preliminaries

A nostalgic digital collage of nursing graduate photographs greeted guests at the 2026 Nurses Pinning Ceremony while Mrs. Heidi Fuller played a delightful piano prelude.

Dr. Sarah Urban, Dean of the School of Nursing, opened the service by explaining its purpose as both a time of reflection and a charge to graduate nurses. She commented on student growth from introductory nursing courses to accomplished seniors who had completed more than 200 hours of clinical work.

Dr. Urban then introduced nursing faculty and expressed gratitude to clinical partners who provided students with unique learning opportunities. She thanked preceptors for their vital role in the seniors’ capstone experiences, often serving without remuneration.

She warmly welcomed parents, siblings, grandparents, spouses, and friends who supported graduates throughout their nursing studies.

Briefly presenting the time-honored tradition and significance of the pinning ceremony, Dr. Urban mentioned roots back to the twelfth century and of Florence Nightingale, who in the 1800s acknowledged excellence in her nursing school graduates, bestowing awards. At ����ԭ��, however, the pinning holds deeper meaning, anchored in the biblical worldview of serving God through nursing. Last, she explained lamp lighting as symbolically passing the torch to another generation.

Announcing the students who would provide special music, she also introduced the speaker and explained that following his charge, graduates would recite the 1893 pledge written by Lystra Gretter.

Nursing candidates Erica Kaminski, Julianna Russo, and Lauren Youngs blended their voices in an earnest presentation of Ron Hamilton’s “Servant’s Heart,” a prayer for humility and meekness to live each day so that Christ’s “love comes shining through.”

Charge to the Graduates

As a former associate professor and father of one of this year’s nursing graduates, Shawn Spencer briefly reminisced about teaching some of the graduates in their early courses. Delivering the Charge, which he titled “The Next Step,” he drew his text from Numbers and Joshua.

As Israel culminated years of wandering and stood on the threshold of God’s promise, they encountered opposition from relatives who should have been allies. The Edomites refused passage through their land, preventing them from taking the king’s “high way.” Mr. Spencer also recounted other instances of discouragement and disillusionment during Israel’s conquest that were ultimately followed by deliverance, paralleling those experiences with challenges of nurses training and disappointments graduates may yet face.

He emphasized that victory lies in recognizing God’s providence in every circumstance. Whether in trials, failures, or success, believers should respond in the same way: seek God, turn to His Word, acknowledge His hand in the situation, and rehearse what He has done.

Mr. Spencer concluded by asking the Lord’s guidance for graduates in transition from the classroom to professional practice, that every success or discouragement would draw them back to Him.

Florence Nightingale Best Bedside Nurse Award

Director of Clinical and Lab Experiences Elizabeth Stille stepped to the podium. She reviewed student growth, noting that their courses had prepared them to exercise wise clinical judgment in complex medical situations. She read excerpts from student journal entries which described experiences from their mission trip to Peru, capstone practicum, and senior-year project. These reflections revealed emerging professionalism, critical thinking and leadership skills, commitment to life-long learning, and growing spiritual maturity.

Each year, she explained, one student is selected for the Florence Nightingale Best Bedside Nurse Award. The recipient must demonstrate consistent and outstanding bedside manner, godly character, and high academic achievement. Honorees’ names are added to a plague which is displayed during the ceremony. In addition, through a gift given in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Sutherland, they receive a certificate and monetary award.

As faculty members examined journal entries, achievements, and personal interactions, one student stood out for her sweet spirit, evident joy, servant leadership, and biblical worldview. She wrote in her journal, “I am called to love my patient,” and humbly acknowledged that one of the non-nursing lessons she learned during training was to trust God. This year’s honoree is Erica Kaminski.

Pinning and the Florence Nightingale Pledge

As Dr. Urban called their names, graduates, accompanied by loved ones, walked to the platform where a family member affixed the pin to the new nurse’s lab coat. (����ԭ��’s pins are blue and gold and embellished with a lamp encircled with the school’s name.) Crossing the platform, they lit their candles from the lamp’s flame, before taking their place on the risers. The following received their pins:
• Rose Dohmen
• Abigail Jansky
• Erica Kaminski
• Julianna Russo
• Morgan Spencer
• Beth Wesseling
• Lauren Youngs

Illuminated in the soft flicker of candlelight, graduates recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge, devoting themselves to uphold purity, faithfully practice their profession, guard confidentialities, and “maintain and elevate the standard” for the welfare of all committed to their care.

Prayer of Dedication and Conclusion

Dr. Thomas Graham, Vice President for Academic Affairs, offered a dedicatory prayer, praising God for Who He is—the Provider, the One who bestows strength and encourages, and the Sustainer who instills gifts and abilities. He asked the Lord to use graduates to demonstrate His love, to be filled with compassion as they serve others, and to be leaders of integrity in their practice.

Dr. Urban then joyfully presented the Nursing Class of 2026.

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