Forty student nurses who completed the Associate of Science in Nursing program took part in the traditional pinning ceremony May 5 at Venango campus of Pennsylvania Western University – Clarion. The ceremony is the official welcoming of the students into the nursing profession.

The ceremony included a welcome by James Geiger, vice president for Advancement and Clarion campus administrator, followed by remarks from Dr. Christina Weidle from the Department of Nursing.

Several graduating students contributed to the proceedings. Jarrod Magness provided words of encouragement to his classmates, and Katie Neely gave a tribute to the nursing instructors. Magness and Tailor Ditzenberger paid tribute to Dr. Mary Terwilliger and Patricia Shontz, who are retiring.

Dr. Nicole Carroll presented the significance of the nursing pin. Carroll, Weidle, Terwilliger and Dr. Randilyn Lewis presented the graduates. Lewis led the students in reciting the Nightingale Pledge.

Terwilliger gave a blessing of the hands, and Dr. Deborah Kelly, dean of Health Sciences, provided closing remarks.

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