Mount Saint Mary College’s Nurse Pinning ceremony honored nearly 30 graduates of the program on Friday, August 23.
Mount Saint Mary College honored nearly 30 graduates of its prestigious Nursing program at a pinning ceremony on Friday, August 23.
Fr. Gregoire Fluet, Vice President for Mission and Ministry, blessed the pins, which were presented to the graduates by chosen family members and friends. The Mount nursing pin displays the college seal and motto, “doce me veritatem,” which translates as “teach me the truth.”
Mount president Dr. Robert Gervasi noted how proud he was of the graduating class for choosing one of the most important service professions.
“What you’re doing is affirming the central core of human faith, and certainly the Dominican spirit,” he said.
Ann Marie Brooks, Interim Dean of the School of Nursing, praised the students for their excellent work ethic and diligence. The graduates, she said, “deserve not only our admiration and appreciation, but a special celebration. The School of Nursing faculty and staff are so proud of you.”
Brooks added that in every situation as a nurse – whether interacting with a patient and their family members, or even other coworkers – the graduates should ask themselves, “what is the most loving thing I can do?”
Catrina Colombo of Blooming Grove, N.Y. offered her reflections on the group’s journey to becoming nurses: “We have all faced life’s challenges while persevering in this rigorous program, and we should be proud of our ability,” she said. “To the School of Nursing faculty, thank you for time and dedication to our class and for providing us with the tools we need to succeed in our future endeavors.”
The ceremony’s keynote speaker was Lynette DeBellis, Nursing associate professor, chair of the School of Nursing, and Mount alumna. She congratulated the students for their positive attitudes and commitment to their craft.
“This pinning ceremony is not just a right of passage, it is a profound acknowledgement of the hard work, dedication, and compassion that each of you has demonstrated,” said DeBellis. “Be the nurse that every patient wants to have.”
The graduates were full of praise for their families. For example, Anvin Alexander was pinned by his mother, Mariamma, and his sister, Aleena.
“I would like to dedicate my pin to the two nurses in my family who helped me through this journey,” said Alexander, “my mom and my sister. They are my biggest supporters and their guidance has helped me [become] the nurse I am today.”
Brooks recognized several students for academic excellence. In addition to Colombo, who earned the School of Nursing Clinical Excellence Award, the award recipients were Samantha Silva of Lagrangeville, N.Y., who was given the General Excellence in Nursing Award; Rosaria Arcamone of Bethel, Conn., who received both the School of Nursing Leadership Award and the Sigma Theta Tau Leadership Award; Alexa Vinson of Stormville, N.Y., who got the Spirit of Nursing Award; and Chinonye Uzobuife of Fishkill, N.Y., who received the Perseverance Award.
The proud graduates then recited “A Nurse’s Prayer,” which speaks of dedicating one’s life to helping others.
Fr. Fluet closed out the ceremony with the Blessing of the Hands. As nurses, he noted, the graduates’ hands are their most important healing tool.
As per Mount tradition, the summer nurse pinning was a prelude to the Fall semester. Over the weekend that followed, hundreds of new and returning students moved into their residence halls, ready to take on new challenges.
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