In a celebration with features reaching back one thousand years, 43 graduates of NCC’s Licensed Practical Nursing program set their hearts to the future at a pinning ceremony at NCC’s Lipkin Theatre on August 28.
Holding lit candles before them, the white-clad graduates descended the stairs to the stage.
Quadeerah Havard and family
Addressing the class and an audience filled with joyful and proud parents, spouses, children and grandchildren, Carolyn Bortz, dean of Allied Health and Sciences, recalled an intense year of rigorous study. She saluted the students and families whose sacrifices supported and encouraged the graduates.
Presenting the graduates, Mary Jean Osborne sounded the theme of chiseling one’s way through stone. “You will be amazed at the tunnels you’ve crafted when it appeared the mountain was too steep. That tunnel represents persistence, focus and direction. Carving that tunnel built character and you’ll thank yourselves someday for having the discipline to forge ahead.”
She read lyrics from the Natasha Bedingfield song “Unwritten.” “Today is where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten” and wished the graduates the best in writing the remainder of their lives’ books. “May it be a great book,” she said.
Stepping up to be acknowledged, each received his or her pin, affixed to a blue ribbon and placed around their necks by Judith Williams, associate professor at the Monroe Campus and Kathleen Dolin, associate professor at Main Campus. Graduates’ messages of thanks for the love and support of their families, teachers and friends accompanied the pinning. The nursing pin is a thousand-year-old symbol of service to others. About 100 years ago, hospitals began bestowing pins on their graduates to signify their preparedness for their professions.
Following another enduring tradition, the NCC graduates recited the Nightingale Pledge, written by a Michigan nursing instructor, Lystra Gretter, in 1893 for her graduating nursing class.
Class speakers for the Monroe and Main Campuses expressed love for their profession, their bonds with their classmates and gratitude toward their instructors. “I am honored to be part of this ambitious and spirited class,” Jodi Mergel of the Monroe Campus said. She recalled the countless care plans and concept maps classmates labored on together and said that, at the end of the day, the experiences shaped them into who they are-- people with a calling to make a difference in people’s lives.
Gary Werner of the Bethlehem Campus said that at first, as one of the class’s two males, he felt overwhelmed, but that the year together forged lasting ties. His year at NCC taught him respect for the human condition. “Never let the flame go out,” he urged his fellow graduates. “[Keep it burning] with your zest for caring.”
Awards were presented to a faculty member and a student from each campus. Associate Professor Kathleen Dolan was chosen for a special honor by her students. Joyce Kerli of the Bethlehem Campus and Jennifer Yanni of the Monroe Campus received awards for outstanding clinical practice.
August graduates of the NCC licensed practical nursing program include:
From the Monroe Campus:
Stephanie Anglemire
Patricia Bauer
Marie Duperval
Kimberly Foat
Kimberly Grinion
Michael Heffren (pictured right with his granddaughter)
Alicia Lopolito
Cheryl Marchman-McRae
Jodi Mergel
Barbara Moersheim
Debra Rodwell
Nicole Somma
Debra Stauffer
Pamela Wilson
Jennifer Yanni
From the Bethlehem Campus
Michael Bierman
Debra Bloss
Liza Brandon
Shannon Bubnis
Maureen Burrell
Antoinette Fianu
Wendy Forni
Peggy Gulick
Quadeerah Havard
Melisa Henriques
Teresa Hess
Diane Holtzman
Erin Kane 
Joyce Kehrli
Elizabeth Kern
Jennifer Klass
Shannon Kotch
Heather Liebl
Tracy Miller
Elizabeth Oswald
Alisha Perrett
Grace Ragiel
Jennifer Reichenbach
Dawn Rufe
Christine Russo
Darlene Weil
Gary Werner left to right: Antoinette Fianu
Meghan Wilt and Elizabeth Oswald
Now that you've read all about the pinning ceremony, visit the Who Knew trivia game in Fun Stuff. This week's question is about the ceremony!
