NJCU Nursing Program Celebrates BSN Class of 2025 at Annual Pinning Ceremony
JERSEY CITY, N.J. | (NJCU) honored 46 graduates of its Accelerated Nursing Program (BSN) at the institution’s annual Pinning Ceremony on August 13, celebrating the Class of 2025's achievement and entry into the nursing profession.
The ceremony, held annually each August, recognizes nursing students who have completed their rigorous academic and clinical training. The tradition of the nursing pin and pinning ceremony dates back to 1880, when the first pin was presented to the graduating class of the Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York City.
Event Photos (📸: Paul Gargiulo, NJCU University Communications): or
The keynote address was delivered by Denise Branchizio, DNP, MSN, FN-CSA, CCRN-K. Additional remarks were provided by Dr. Donna L. Adair, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dr. Esther Nir, Interim Dean of the College of Professional Studies.
Five categories of awards were presented to recognize outstanding achievement:
- Academic Excellence Award: Hope Nelson
- Clinical Excellence Award: Tyler Comerford, Jensen Vaughan, and Noelle Zweidinger
- Outstanding Leadership Award: Lemar Ferguson and Sharaunda Fiedtkou
- Peer Recognition Award: Bianca Roseau
- Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award: Pauline Walters, MSN, RN
The ceremony concluded with Professor Maria Montanez leading the graduates in reciting the Nightingale Pledge, a modern version of the Hippocratic Oath for nurses. The pledge was created in 1893.
The following 46 students received their BSN pin during the ceremony:
- Aarinola Akinduyi
- Reymi Artiga
- Benewaa Amankwa
- Nathan Blond
- Paola Bodano
- Althea Broomfield
- Christine Chen
- Tyler Comerford
- Alice Cordero
- Shirmane Cordova-Chahu
- Toyosi Craig
- Gabriella Dosmas
- Valerie Egharevba
- Morgan Feazell
- Sharaunda Fieleikou
- Lemar Ferguson
- Angela Gessner
- Julia Goodwin
- Marjorie Guevarra
- Amethyst Hall
- Chana Homnick
- Yessenia Hoyos
- Ajla Karalic
- Rodolfo Laya
- Brittany Longo
- Samantha Martin
- Anitta Mathew
- Rachel Mercado
- Allyson Meyers
- Isabella Minucci
- Nidia Montan
- Brianna Moonsammy
- Mohamed Moussa
- Hope Nilson
- Oluwapelumi Oyedeji
- Klaudette Anne Perez
- Ahuva Strimber
- Jessica Rivas
- Bianca Roseau
- Shalem Santa Cruz
- Habibatou Sow
- Emily Sweeney
- Christina Trezza
- Jensen Vaughn
- Kayla Wade
- Noelle Zweidinger
The NJCU Nursing program is part of the College of Professional Studies and prepares students for careers in various healthcare settings throughout the region. The Accelerated BSN program is an innovative educational opportunity for college graduates that allows them to transition into entry-level clinical practice in only 12 months.
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Contact:
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301