An awards and recognition ceremony recently celebrated the achievements of 108 Wor-Wic Community College graduates who earned associate degrees and certificates in nursing.
The ceremony was held at James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury. Participants received nursing pins, a tradition in which the faculty presents graduates with pins to signify their accomplishment. The pinning ceremony has roots back to the 12th century, when knights who aided the injured received a Maltese cross badge. Later, Florence Nightingale, who revolutionized the nursing profession in the 1800s, presented similar medals to her best students. Today, nurse pinning represents the completion of educational requirements to become a nurse and the hard work students have invested in their achievement.
Special awards were presented by Dr. Brenda J. Mister, department head and professor of nursing. A keynote address was given by Chelsea Milligan, a Wor-Wic graduate and former nursing instructor who now works on TidalHealth’s clinical response team. Melissa Ward was the student speaker.
The evening was capped by a lamp-lighting ceremony inspired by Nightingale’s nighttime rounds during the Crimean War, which reflects the light of learning that Wor-Wic nursing students have gained during their studies.
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- ADN GRADS. Associate degree in nursing graduates of Wor-Wic Community College who participated in a recent awards and recognition ceremony are shown in a group photo.
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- CPN GRADS. Certificate of practical nursing graduates of Wor-Wic Community College who participated in a recent awards and recognition ceremony are shown in a group photo.
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- ON STAGE. Wor-Wic Community College nursing graduates await their pins on stage in an awards and recognition ceremony at James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury.
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- CELEBRATING GRADS. From left, Melissa Ward and Brianna Butler, both of Salisbury, and Kelly Hendrix of Berlin celebrate their official induction into the profession at a Wor-Wic Community College nursing awards and recognition ceremony.
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- EARNING HER PIN. Alana L. Long, Wor-Wic Community College assistant professor of nursing, left, presents nursing graduate Carmesha Branch of Salisbury with a pin to commemorate her achievement.
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- KEYNOTE: Chelsea Milligan, a registered nurse at TidalHealth and Wor-Wic Community College nursing graduate and former instructor, spoke at the college’s awards and recognition ceremony.
Gwenn Garland | Communications Coordinator | Wor-Wic Community College
www.worwic.edu | ggarland@worwic.edu |P: 410-334-2968
