COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
PROCESSIONAL
Faculty & Graduates
NATIONAL ANTHEM
OPENING REMARKS
Robert F. DeFinis, EdD Senior Campus President
FACULTY MESSAGE
WELCOME
Kevin T. Gore, BA Senior Director of Enrollment Services
Melinda King, MSN, RN, CEN Nursing Faculty STUDENT SPEAKER
Charmaine Hicks
HISTORY OF PINNING
Melissa L. Weir PhD, RN, CNE, CPEN, CEN
Dean of Nursing
The modern pin dates back to the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. The nurse’s graduation pin is a symbol that conveys to others his/her association and everlasting bond with his/her school. Each pin is distinctive, representing only one program and upholding the proud educational traditions of that school. For the nurse, it also symbolizes honorable completion of a rigorous and physically demanding nursing preparation program.
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
Tia D. McKinnon, EdD Dean of General Education
CONFERRAL OF DEGREES
Melissa L. Weir PhD, RN, CNE, CPEN, CEN Dean
of Nursing
RECITATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF NURSES’ PLEDGE
Laura Williams, MBA, MSN, RN Nursing Faculty CLOSING REMARKS
Robert F. DeFinis, EdD Senior Campus President RECESSIONAL
Faculty & Graduates
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