UD Nursing Program to Hold Pinning Ceremony
Apr 9, 2009 | University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
On Friday, May 8, 2009 the University of Dubuque Nursing Program will celebrate the third graduating class of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students since the program's reinstatement in 2004, with a Pinning Ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in Steffens Hall of the Charles and Romona Myers Center.
"BSN-prepared nurses are needed to meet the challenges of health care in the 21st century," stated Dr. Kathryn Dolter, Head of the UD Nursing Program. "With its focus on quality patient-centered care, patient safety, teamwork, informatics, evidence-based care and quality improvement, UD nursing graduates are prepared for these challenges."
Twenty-seven students will receive their nursing pin. They are: Katherine Carter (Galena, IL), Abby Cueno (East Dubuque, IL), Janice Duhme (Zwingle, IA), Stephanie Feyen (Dubuque, IA), Tony Flores III (Dubuque, IA), Kerri Gassmann (Monticello, IA), Heather Grandgenett (Potosi, WI), Suzanne Heber (Dubuque, IA), Michelle Hilkin (Dubuque, IA), Jessica Jewett (Asbury, IA), Jennifer Kieler (Hazel Green, WI), Carrie Leehan (Gratiot, WI), Kate Liebetrau (Woodstock, IL), Melissa Lux (Dubuque, IA), Karyssa Martin (Kewanee, IL), Shawn Miller (Monroe, WI), Brittany Olmstead (Warren, IL), Lauren Peterson (Freeport, IL), Gina Runde (Dubuque, IA), Nicholas Saenz (Tipton, IA), Sarah Schumacher (Franklin Grove, IL), Ashleah Snyder (Farley, IA), Brandy Speer (Hazel Green, WI), Danielle Steger (Darlington, WI), Samantha Trumbull (Norway, IA), Emily White (Dubuque, IA), and Ashley Willyard (North Aurora, IL).
The Pinning Ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition - nursing students have conducted an Honors or Pinning Ceremony as a rite of passage from student nurses to practice nurses. Pinning dates back to 1880 and signifies the integrity and tradition of badges worn by the healers and crusaders of care. Regardless of where their new careers in nursing take the graduates, their pin will represent where they earned their professional education.
Nursing began at University of Dubuque in 1976 and, until 1997, the program offered fully accredited RN-to-BSN and MSN nursing preparation. In fall 2004, the University instituted a pre-licensure BSN Nursing program; in April 2007, this program received national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
