Ivy Tech Indianapolis held its third and final Nursing Pinning Ceremony of 2025 on Friday, Dec. 12, honoring the dedication and achievement of its fall graduating class. The ceremony, a time-honored tradition in the nursing profession, formally welcomed 109 graduates into the time-honored community of caregivers.
The pinning ceremony is a symbolic rite of passage for nursing graduates, dating back more than a century. It signifies the transition from student to professional practitioner and represents a commitment to the trust, compassion, and high standards of the nursing profession.
This was the third pinning of the year, following the August ceremony. Relive that celebration here.
The event, hosted in the Conference Center and Culinary Institute, featured speeches from college leadership, faculty, and student graduates, each reflecting on the arduous journey and the profound calling ahead. Dr. Diana Shenefield, dean of the School of Nursing, addressed the graduates, emphasizing the enduring significance of the pin they received.
“Never lose sight of the human being in front of you. The pin you receive today is a symbol of your entry into the profession—but your daily actions will define your legacy,” Dean Shenefield said. “One small act of kindness, one moment of presence, can ripple far. One voice raised for a patient, one gentle reassurance, one honest conversation—this matters.”
Assistant Professor of Nursing Tina Hobbs delivered a moving keynote, sharing her personal and professional journey through adversity to a decades-long career in nursing and education. Her story of resilience and faith resonated deeply with the graduating class, many of whom have balanced similar challenges of family, work, and study.
The ceremony’s two student speakers encapsulated the spirit of the class. Oluwadamilola Oyebade, a mother of three who emigrated from Nigeria, spoke of her journey as one of “faith, resilience, and countless sacrifices.” She reminded her peers that nursing is “a promise to serve with compassion, to care without judgment, and to make a difference one patient at a time.”
Nursing has taught me that compassion is not just an emotion; it’s an action. It’s in the gentle touch, the kind word, and the courage to show up for someone when they need it most.
– Oluwadamilola Oyebade, 2025 Nursing Graduate & Keynote Speaker
Sarah BienAime, a first-generation college graduate and daughter of Haitian immigrants, delivered a powerful address about perseverance and community.
“We are not just nurses, we are Ivy Tech nurses,” BienAime declared. “We are leaders, healers, and dreamers. We are proof that strength and kindness can coexist. And we are ready to change the world, one patient at a time.”
The ceremony also included the presentation of Clinical Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding skill and judgment. Brooke Nicely received the award for the Practical Nursing program, and Megan Berg was honored for the Associate of Science in Nursing program.
Relive the full celebration of spring 2025 nursing graduates in May.
A special shoutout was given by Natalie Dycus to the founding members of the Student Nurse Association—Anthonia Olufemi, Dayana Flores, Megan Berg, and Shawn Berner—for their exceptional leadership and service to the campus and community.
The pinnacle of the event was the pinning of the candidates by faculty members MaryStar Ely, Bethany Owens-Lucas, Mrs. Burba, and Mrs. Cooper. Following the pinning, the new nurses, joined by practicing nurses in the audience, recited a modern version of the Florence Nightingale Pledge led by Mariah Cain, committing to the ethics and principles of their chosen profession.
The Ivy Tech Indianapolis School of Nursing holds three pinning ceremonies each academic year: one in the spring (typically in May) directly preceding commencement, another in August, and a final one in December, each celebrating the relentless dedication of its students as they embark on their vital careers in healthcare.
As we move forward, Class of 2025, walk with pride. Walk with purpose. Carry your stethoscope like a symbol of hope. And wherever life takes you, remember how far you’ve come, and who you’re doing it for. We are not just nurses, we are Ivy Tech Nurses.
– Sarah BienAime, 2025 Nursing Graduate & Keynote Speaker
Looking to the future, Ivy Tech Indianapolis has transformed its Illinois Fall Creek Center building into the rejuvenated home for its School of Nursing and School of Health Sciences. This strategic investment will place future healthcare students closer to downtown Indianapolis hospitals, enhancing clinical training opportunities and solidifying the college's role as a premier pipeline for the region's healthcare workforce. You can learn more about this investment at ivytechindyreimagined.com.
Ivy Tech graduates the highest number of associate-level nurses in the nation. We offer a variety of degree options that prepare you for the licensing exams to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Registered Nurse (RN). Check out our degree options at ivytech.edu/nursing.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
