PRESS RELEASE

Traditional pinning ceremony honors nursing graduates’ legacy

KOKOMO, Ind. — The Indiana University Kokomo School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (SNAHP) recognized 50 healthcare professionals as they completed degree programs in December 2024, with a traditional recognition and pinning ceremony Thursday, December 19 in Havens Auditorium.

Four Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduates earned recognition, along with 26 in the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) track, 10 in the second degree nursing track, and 10 in the RN to BSN track.

Carolyn Townsend, interim dean of SNAHP, congratulated students on reaching a significant milestone by completing their nursing programs. She said the pinning ceremony symbolizes the transition from student to nurse and is a rite of passage that dates back more than a century. It serves as a reminder of each nurse’s legacy.

“Today, as we celebrate the pinning ceremony, we are not just acknowledging the completion of their education and training,” she said. “We are also recognizing the beginning of their professional journey. The pin that each nurse receives today is more than just a piece of jewelry. It symbolizes the trust and responsibility that society places in them. It is a reminder of their oath to provide compassionate and ethical care to all patients.”

New to the tradition this year, students could invite a family member who is a nurse to pin them during the ceremony, referred to as a Legacy pinning.

Those who participated with their family members were Dayna Damewood, with her cousin Ashley Kenyon; Karly Dean, with her mother Wendy Dean; Samantha Heflin, with her sister Brandy Coons; Brooke Kitner, with her sister Kaitlyn Nelson; Ellie Lebrija, with her sister Cait Lebrija; Bethany Rowe, with her cousin Lyndsey Orozco; Megan Simison, with her cousin Jayme Miller; Joanna Skuse, with her aunt Brandee Ledford; Bayli Toy, with her mother April Toy; Anissa Washington, with her mother Lisa Washington; Esther Williams, with her mother Ronke Ajumobi; and Jaeden Younce, with her mother Susan Younce.

Additional speakers included Scott Jones, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs; Erin Geiselman, MSN program director of non-nurse practitioner tracks; Dea Kent, director of the family nurse practitioner track; Stephanie Pratt, assistant dean of the pre-licensure BSN programs; Leigh Swartzendruber, director of the RN to BSN track; and students Bethany Rowe and Morgan Tuberty. The Indiana Nurse Honor Guard also had representatives present to welcome students to the profession.

Students honored are listed by degree and hometown.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Atlanta: Karly M. Dean

Carmel: Samantha de Bie

Converse: Aubrianna Payge Mitchell Rennaker

Delphi: Abigail Bieghler

Gas City: Morghan L. King

Greendale: Averi Elizabeth McMullen

Frankfort: Janette Aguilera Martinez

Indianapolis: Nadine Laura Tregnago

Jamestown: Tori A. Wilkinson

LaFontaine: Jaeden Younce

Kokomo: Blake Ian Banter, Cassie Grace Bryan, Lucy Skywalker Calhoun, Karlee Nicole Finicle, Abigail Marie Hale, Brooke Elizabeth Kitner, Joanna Briann Skuse, Anissa Katherine Washington

Lafayette: Taniecia Mabbitt, Catherine Rose Shedron

Marion: Natalya Ann Queen, Abigail Lavone Shaw

Noblesville: Madison Taylor Fields

Peru: Bailey R. Baker, Ellie Brooke Lebrija

Wabash: Hannah Brooke Halverson

Second degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Avon: Esther Williams

Hartford City: Samantha Heflin

Kokomo: Jocelyn Irene Drummond, Morgan Grace Tuberty

Logansport: Tyler Whitehead

Marion: Seth Edward Honeycutt, Bayli Toy

Twelve Mile: Bethany Marie Berry Rowe

Upland: Samantha Ann Bratcher, Megan Christine Simison

RN to BSN

Carmel: Johnna Lea Richey

Fishers: Kiran James

Indianapolis: Kehinde O. Atobatele

Kokomo: McKenzie J. Bray

Muncie: Dayci DeVoe

Noblesville: Sarah Good

Peru: Kelli Eames

Wabash: Kyleigh L. Chambers

Westfield: Aaron Donica

West Lafayette: Ji Soo Kim

Master of Science in Nursing

Avon: Yetunde Aina

Denver: Kayla Ross

Kokomo: Dayna Michelle Damewood

North Manchester: Aaron Wilson

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.