Convocation Program sent to print

Keigwin School of Nursing

Convocation SPRING 2026

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY

Welcome to the Keigwin School of Nursing Convocation

Celebrating nursing program graduates and certificate recipients.

Saturday, May 2, 2026 3:00 P.M.

OUR MISSION Jacksonville University Keigwin School of Nursing is committed to the success of each student as a self-assured, clinically competent, caring professional nurse who practices in an evolving, complex health care environment, provides leadership to promote health among culturally diverse people and promotes the advancement of nursing knowledge through evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.

CORE VALUES Caring Engaged Learning Scholarly Inquiry Clinical Excellence Leadership Health Technology

Convocation Program Processional Welcome

Dr. Lindsay Wolf

National Anthem KSON Associate Dean Remarks & Overview of KSON Programs

Dr. Lindsay Wolf

Acknowledgment of Honors,Scholarships & the Stephanie Bloom Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Amber Santos

Entry Level(UG) Excllence Awards & DolphiNurse Alumni Award

Professor Joseph Fitzgerald

Advanced Level(Graduate) Excellence Awards and & Graduate of the Year

Dr. Melissa McRae

The Jack and Beverly Keigwin Award for Resiliency

Professor Amee Jones

Presentation of Entry Level (UG) Graduates & Pinning Ceremony

Professor Joseph Fitzgerald

Presentation of Advanced Level (Graduate) Graduates,Post-Graduates, & Hooding Ceremony

Dr. Leyla Pordeli & Dr. Laurie Buschini & Dr. Roberta Christopher

International Council of Nurses Pledge

Dr. Chelsa Fore

Closing Remarks

Dr. Lindsay Wolf

Jacksonville University is the proud home to the Keigwin School of Nursing

Honoring the Legacy of Henry “Jack” Keigwin Jack Keigwin’s story is one of resilience, determination, and lasting impact. Born in a small New England town, he overcame early hardship to earn a full scholarship to Bates College before beginning his career in New York City. He later pursued his MBA at Harvard Business School with the steadfast support of his wife of 63 years, Beverly “Bev” French Keigwin. Together, Jack and Bev built a successful career spanning international business ventures and decades of real estate development across New England. But their greatest legacy is one of generosity and service.

In 2017, their transformative multi-million dollar gift—the largest in the nursing school’s history— established Jacksonville University’s Keigwin School of Nursing. For Jack, a former Board of Trustees member and executive-in-residence, it was among the most meaningful contributions he and Bev would make. A former nurse, Bev has remained deeply committed to supporting students and advancing the profession, helping shape the compassionate, high-quality education that defines the School today.

Jacksonville University is proud to carry the Keigwin name, honoring a legacy that continues to inspire and impact students, patients, and the Jacksonville community for generations to come.

Brief History of the Nursing Pinning Ceremony Pinning marks the completion of the initial nursing education and welcomes the graduate into the profession of nursing. Pinning dates back to the Crusades during the 12th century where monks who were “Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist” served the sick and injured.

When new monks joined the order, they were given a Maltese cross to wear on their arm.

The modern ceremony of pinning dates to the 1860’s and Florence Nightingale. In recognition of her service to the injured soldiers during the Crimean War, Florence was honored with the Red Cross of St. George.

She, in turn, decided to award her best students with a medal of excellence, a symbolic “badge of courage.”

In 1916, the tradition of awarding a pin to all nursing graduates became common practice throughout the United States. The pin indicates the institution from which the nurse received their education.

Brief History of the Graduate Hooding Ceremony The master’s and doctoral hoods are modern interpretations of the hooded robes worn by medieval monks who taught in the first universities. The formal hooding ceremony is said to have originated in the 11th or 12th century in European universities.

The academic hood represents the level of academic achievement earned by the graduating candidate. It is a symbolic ceremony representing the “passing of the guard” whereas the candidate presents themselves to their faculty, and they welcome them into the academic rank earned by placing their hood over their head. Once a hood is earned, it continues to represent the commitment to lifelong learning.

Awards Wold Award

Director’s Award

Malone Award

Rachel Johns Quinn Robie Sabrina Cela

Seth Rostker Nephtalie Louis Pierre Amanda Barnak

Brielle Bullock Matthew Otwell Coral Bush

MSN Student Award for Excellence

Frances Bartlett Kinne Director’s Award for Excellence Denisa Marra

Kayla Marie Cavicchio Ashley Marie Daniels

Britney D. Pollack

Nurse Practitioner Student Award for Excellence Brianna Nicole Fleming

DNP Scholarly Project Award for Excellence

Graduate Student of the Year (DNP)

President's Award for Outstanding Leadership

Cada Catharine White

Kaya Kozlowski

The Jack and Beverly Keigwin Award for Resiliency DolphiNurse Alumni Network Award Brielle Bullock

Cameron Andrews Alexandra Lores Rose Humphries Chandra Denise Alexander

Stephanie Bloom Endowed Scholarship 2026 Brittany Tygart

Symbolism of the Pin

The graduate pin is a tradition in schools of nursing dating back to the birth of modern nursing in the 1800s.

Every school’s pin presents the symbolism of the school’s core beliefs. The Jacksonville University School of Nursing pin was designed in 1986 by a committee of students from the first three classes and was approved by all the students and faculty in the school. The pin was updated in 2016 to include the current title of the Keigwin School of Nursing.

The pin is a white enamel circle about the size of a quarter, which surrounds a green cross. The white color reflects our respect for the traditions and history of nursing. The green cross represents the deeply personal and humanistic quality of our profession. The cross also represents the bond between a strong academic foundation and clinical practice, each of which is made stronger by the bond with the other.

Within the circle are written the words “Jacksonville University Keigwin School of Nursing” separated by two gold stars. The stars represent the pride in our past accomplishments and the promise of our future, to which we aspire as graduates of Jacksonville University. A gold braid surrounds the pin. The braid symbolizes the unity provided by the liberal core of our education.

The flame of knowledge resides in the center of the pin. It holds forth the illumination of the knowledge we carry with us from the Jacksonville University Keigwin School of Nursing and lights our way as we travel the path in our nursing careers.

International Council of Nurses Pledge In the full knowledge of the obligations I am undertaking, I promise to care for the sick with all the skill and understanding I possess, without regard to race, creed, color, political or social status, sparing no effort to conserve life, to alleviate suffering and to promote health.

I will respect at all times the dignity and religious beliefs of the patients under my care, holding in confidence all personal information entrusted to me and refraining from any action which might endanger life or health.

I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skill at the highest level and to give loyal support and cooperation to all members of the health team. I will do my utmost to honor the international code of ethics applied to nursing and to uphold the integrity of the nurse.

JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY BROOKS REHABILITATION COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE SCIENCES KEIGWIN SCHOOL OF NURSING