West Virginia University at Parkersburg held its fall 2019 nursing pinning ceremony on Saturday, December 14, at 1:30 p.m., in the College Activities Center. The ceremony honors students who have completed graduation requirements for the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree at WVU Parkersburg.

The ceremony included greetings from Kathy Frum, Nursing and Health Sciences chairperson; Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Parkersburg president; Chad Crumbaker, Academic and Student Services vice president and nursing program graduates Ryan Hesselrode and Allison Monroe. Jessica Huffman, MSN, RN from WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center served as the special guest speaker.

Fall 2019 nursing graduates include:

Kendra Allen

Allie Barton

Brooke Carter

Ali Cooper

Josie Cottrell

Melissa Dailey

Anna Errickson

Cassandra Gold

Casey Harker

Ryan Hesselrode

Allison Hurst

Jennifer Kersey

Amy Martin

Allison Monroe

Lydia Murray

Jasin Plaugher

Kayce Rogers

Ashley Ruble

Michael Seagraves

Womba Shepherd

Mickinzie Smith

Christina Swiger

Jade Walls

Caitlan Swiger

Bobbi Warner

Krystal Webb

During the ceremony, nursing graduates were symbolically welcomed into the profession. The graduates accepted pins presented by faculty members, and were then asked to recite the “Florence Nightingale Pledge.”

Florence Nightingale was honored with the Red Cross of St. George in the 1860s for her selfless care of injured soldiers during the Crimean War. She, in turn, presented medals of excellence to her best nursing graduates at the Nightingale School and Home for Nurses. By 1916, the practice of awarding all nursing graduates became standard.

“The ceremony is rich with symbolism,” said Frum. “This is more than a graduation ceremony. It is a time to celebrate each student’s dedication to the program and future career.”

Visit wvup.edu/nursing for more information on WVU Parkersburg’s Nursing and Health Sciences division programs.