Harford Community College Holds Pinning Ceremony

The August 2019 Nursing Class Pinning Ceremony for Harford Community College’s associate degree nursing graduates was held on August 20 in the Amoss Center. The event was hosted by the College’s Division of Nursing and Allied Health Professions with Dean Laura Cianelli Preston, faculty and staff. Shared with family and friends, the ceremony is viewed by most of the graduates as the culmination of their education at HCC. After four semesters of clinical nursing courses, they enjoyed celebrating with their classmates, who many have come to think of as extended family.

Congratulatory remarks were offered by HCC Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Karen Hays; Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Professions Laura Cianelli Preston; and Rosemarie Sedney, Assistant Professor, Nursing and Allied Professions. Abigail Hitchcock was the graduating class speaker. Family members and friends of the graduates attended the ceremony. Honored guests in attendance included Cordell E. Hunter Sr., Chair, Harford Community College Board of Trustees; and Foundation donors Jim and Anna Lambdin.

In addition to nursing uniforms worn by all graduates, members of the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society and the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society wore special cords to designate their membership. Several students received recognition awards. Elisabeth Toskes received the UM-UCH, Harford Memorial Hospital Volunteers Auxiliary Award, Mariah Melber was awarded the Spalding Art of Nursing Award, and Denise Smith was awarded the Spalding Science of Nursing Award.

Members of the nursing faculty pinned the HCC nursing pin on each of the graduates and handed each a Florence Nightingale lamp, after which the traditional lighting of the lamps took place. Graduates and all RNs in the audience were asked to recite the International Council of Nurses pledge. The graduates were presented with roses as they exited the stage.

HCC holds pinning ceremonies for associate degree nursing graduates in May, August, and December/January.

Pictured: L to R (top row): Maria Connors, Christa Bohdel, Brianna Logana, Saliviah Wanjiru, Kirsten Gentry, Brittany Miller, and Denise Smith; (2nd row from top): Brandon Russell, Jesse Vogan, Abigail Hitchcock, Mariah Melber, Dora Adjei, Julia Burkins, andLaura Smith; (2nd row from bottom): Ebony Turner, Kirsten Rodriguez, Catherine Grabowski, Betsy Toskes, Alexandra Page, Rosaline Kuchambi, Mercy Otieno, and Charles Rodefer; (bottom row): Heath Nikitas, Ashley Streeter, Chelsea Sadler, Taylor Cramer, Laurie Taylor, Samantha Benner, Aubrey Schweigman, and Cort Adams