Mount Saint Mary College honored the August 2022 graduates of its non-traditional Nursing program at a pinning ceremony on Thursday, September 1.
The ceremony was presided over by Lynette DeBellis, instructor and chair of the Mount’s School of Nursing.
Dr. Jason N. Adsit, president of the college, congratulated the students on a job well done. Christine Berté, dean of the School of Nursing, echoed Dr. Adsit’s praise for the dedicated graduates.
Fr. Gregoire Fluet, chaplain and director of Campus Ministry, blessed the pins, which were presented to the graduates by chosen family members and friends. The Mount Saint Mary College nursing pin displays the college seal and motto, “doce me veritatem,” which translates as “teach me the truth.”
Samantha Perri of Highland, N.Y. offered her reflections on the group’s academic journey. She expressed gratitude for the aid of her family. Perri was pinned by her mother.
“I would like to dedicate my pin to ‘ma,’ the strongest woman and confidant I am blessed to call mine,” she said. “I also dedicate this pin to my late sister and father, who have given me eternal motivation to push forward and accomplish goals I once thought were unachievable.”
Graduates also credited their professors with molding them into the knowledgeable and confident professionals they are today. For example, Olulanu Makinde of Staten Island, N.Y. said, “I would like to thank the MSMC nursing faculty for their support throughout the program.”
To close out the ceremony, the proud graduates recited “A Nurse’s Prayer,” which speaks of dedicating one’s life to helping others.