Pinning Ceremony Honors Largest Class of Nurse Graduates in Recent History

The largest nurse graduating class in recent PCCC history was honored at the May 14 pinning ceremony held on the Main Camus where the 41new nurses received the traditional gold pins symbolizing the nursing profession before an enthusiastic audience of friends and families who jumped to their feet, applauding and cheering as the graduates assembled onstage.  

Ms. Leilani Feliciano, an academic specialist for PCCC’s Nurse Education Program offered a welcome and began with a “heartfelt congratulations on reaching this important milestone on your journey to become a registered nurse.”

Speaking of “the continuity of nursing within families,” Ms. Leilani asked friends and relatives of the graduates who are in the nursing profession to stand and be recognized.

In honor of Dr. Steven Rose, the longtime president of PCCC who passed away last March, Ms. Patricia Medeiros, associate vice president and dean for enrollment management, read a tribute to the beloved president who always attended the Nurse Pinning ceremonies.

“Celebrations like this always brought a lot of joy to him,” said Ms. Medeiros. “Dr. Rose loved seeing students reach these milestones, and he understood the sacrifices many of them made to be here tonight…. his impact lives on everyone who is here tonight.” A moment of silence for Dr. Rose followed.

Keynote speaker Professor Tracey Hawkins, an Academic Specialist in PCCC’s Nurse Education program who began her career as a U.S. Army nurse, addressed the graduates: “Today you step into one of the most trusted professions in the world.” Growing emotional, she acknowledged the sacrifices students made to get to this point and assured them, “You were made for this. You did not get here by accident.”  And she reminded them of the heart of nursing. “Moments that did not go well taught you, too…nursing is about presence, not about perfection. Every patient you touch, touches you back.”    A standing ovation followed her speech.

Dean Ann Amaefule, the associate dean of Nurse Education, delivered the greetings. “Tonight we celebrate not only the completion of the nursing program, but also the beginning of a meaningful and noble profession and calling.”  She continued, “The pin you receive tonight symbolizes commitment, service, and the responsibility of caring for patients during their most vulnerable moments.”

Introducing the traditional Pinning Ceremony, graduate Tori McLary described the significance of the pin, which is a symbol of welcome into the nursing profession.
Each of the graduates were pinned by a relative or friend of their choice to enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Five awards were presented to two graduates each, beginning with the Nurse Education Service Award, recognizing students who demonstrated significant contributions to the Nurse Education program, College, community, and peers. That award went to Danielle Baez and Tori McLary.

The Professional Nursing Award was given to Andrew Russell-Ben and Samantha Krumbein for demonstrating “clinical excellence as a provider of care, manager of care, and member of the profession.”

Christina Joseph and India Isaac received the Spirit of Nursing Award, given for demonstrating “professional involvement, leadership, and academic achievement.”

The New Jersey League of Nursing Award is presented to a New Jersey resident who demonstrates involvement in both student and community activities. This year’s recipients are Marceline Wilkinson and Mohamed Bankasliattar.

The Academic Achievement Award, given to the graduates with the highest GPAs in the nursing class, went to Christina Joseph (3.86 GPA) and Samantha Krumbein (3.84 GPA).

The traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, introduced by graduate Christina Joseph, and led by graduates Kira De La Cruz, Noelia Perez, Jazmin Rivera, and Flordeliz Ventura, recalls the dedication of British nurse Florence Nightingale, who carried a lamp onto the battlefields of the Crimean War (1853-1856)  to tend to wounded soldiers.

While holding their lighted lamps, the graduates recited the International Council of Nurses’ Pledge, led by India Isaac. 

Danielle Baez, Class President, delivered the Graduate Address, with honesty and wit.
“When I decided I wanted to be a nurse, I had no idea what that meant,” she said, drawing laughter, especially from the other graduates.

Danielle described the “shock of going from working on mannequins to a real person,” and the experience of being someone who usually felt invisible to becoming class president. “That really pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me learn to advocate for others.” 

She inspired bursts of applause for thanking professors. “Without you many of us would not be at the level we are today.”  Danielle also thanked her fellow students for the support they all gave to one another throughout the program.  “Now we can walk into a room with confidence,” she said, concluding her speech. “We are no longer students. We are nurses.”

Dr. Jacqueline Kineavy, Interim President of PCCC, inspired laughs and groans when she reminded the graduates that they still need to take the NCLEX, the test they must pass in order to be employed as a nurse, and urged them to continue their education toward a bachelor’s degree and even higher levels.

Dr. Bassel Stassis, Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, noted the support from families and friends that helped the graduates to achieve their goals, and he commended the graduates on their “hard work, perseverance, and commitment to their goals,”   This career is one of the most valuable in society and for mankind as well.”

According to tradition in the PCCC Nurse Education program, each pinning ceremony concludes with a class slide show, depicting all the work, achievement, friendship, and gratitude with both humor and heart.

Graduate Mohamed Bankasliattar led this year’s ambitious slide show which began with a spoof of a TV emergency room scene and continued with the customary highlights of the nursing Class of May 2026 experience. There was plenty of laughter, cheering, and applause.

Learn more about the Nurse Education Program at PCCC

Written by Linda Telesco
Photos by Page Saunders
PCCC Marketing and Communications