More than 40 Ivy Tech Indianapolis School of Nursing graduates and dozens more of their family and friends gathered at the Conference Center and Culinary Institute on the morning of Thursday, Jul. 30.
A pinning ceremony is a time-honored nursing tradition, rich with symbolism, that welcomes new licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN) graduates into the profession. It is a distinct and deeply personal rite of passage separate from commencement. During the ceremony, each student receives the Ivy Tech nursing pin—a symbol of their hard work, dedication, and readiness to provide compassionate, skilled care. The pinning culminates in the recitation of the Florence Nightingale Pledge, a moment where our graduates collectively affirm their commitment to the ethical and professional values of nursing.
The Summer Nursing Pinning Ceremony honored the incredible journey of the newly minted LPNs and RNs with the Florence Nightingale Pledge, remarks from Dr. Diana Shenefield, dean of the School of Nursing, and student keynote speaker Fatoumata Bah. The ceremony also recognized graduates who demonstrated exceptional clinical skill and professionalism through the presentation of the Clinical Excellence Awards.
The Practical Nursing Clinical Excellence Awards were presented to Catherine Kegaris and Bah. The Associate of Science in Nursing Clinical Excellence Awards were presented to Ward Thompson and Nichol Grays.
“Today, each of you receives a pin, but what you truly receive is something far greater: a calling. Nursing is not simply a career. It is not merely a job title, a degree, or a set of technical skills. Nursing is a profession rooted in trust, shaped by sacrifice, and sustained by two essential virtues: integrity and servanthood. These are not just admirable traits in nursing. They are foundational. They are the very heart of what it means to care for another human being.”
– Dr. Diana Shenefield, Dean, School of Nursing
“As we recite the Nightingale Pledge, let us remember why we became nurses: to help those in need, to act ethically, to follow evidence-based practices, and to show compassion and patience to every patient we encounter.”
– Fatoumata Bah, Summer 2026 Nursing Graduate Speaker
Ivy Tech graduates the highest number of associate-level nurses in the nation, and the Indianapolis campus hosts three nurse pinning ceremonies a year. At the spring 2026 ceremony in April, more than 100 nursing graduates received their Ivy Tech pins.
Congratulations, graduates! Your Ivy Tech family is so proud of you.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public post-secondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Ivy Tech serves more than 200,000 students annually and offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training in more than 70 programs across Indiana. The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is committed to providing affordable, high-quality education aligned with the needs of Indiana’s workforce.
