Pinning ceremony honors nursing, OTA graduates

KOKOMO, Ind. - Indiana University Kokomo's School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions (SNAHP) honored its 2026 graduates at its traditional pinning ceremony on Wednesday (May 6) in Havens Auditorium.

Nine students earned the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences, along with one receiving a Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science and 43 earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Jennifer Negron, lecturer of occupational therapy, welcomed the graduating class, family, friends, faculty, and staff to the celebration of a significant milestone, recognizing the dedication, perseverance, and remarkable achievements of those who committed themselves to the pursuit of healthcare excellence.

"As they embark on their professional journeys, we acknowledge the profound impact they will have on the lives of countless patients and communities," she said. "Let's take this moment to applaud their hard work, resilience, and unwavering commitment to making a difference."

She encouraged the graduates to wear their professional pins with pride, as a reminder of their commitment to excellence, and of the profound impact they will have on the lives of their patients and their families.

Dean Angela Opsahl congratulated the graduates on behalf of the faculty and staff, saying it takes a strong, dedicated, and compassionate individual to enter the healthcare workforce.

"Today, as we celebrate your pinning ceremony, we are not just acknowledging the completion of education and training; we are also recognizing the dedication of each graduate and their professional journey. The pinning ceremony symbolizes the transition from student to professional, with the trust and responsibility that society places in them. It is a reminder of our oath to provide compassionate and ethical care to all patients."

Christina Douglas, clinical assistant professor and OTA program director, said for OTA students, the pin signifies their commitment to the core principles of occupational therapy - empowering individuals to engage in the everyday activities that bring purpose and joy to their lives.

"It embodies the hard work, compassion, and creativity you have demonstrated in learning how to use occupations, from self-care and play to work and leisure, as powerful tools for recovery and growth. You are now equipped to help your clients live their fullest and most functional lives.

Makayla Clark led the OTA class in reciting the Occupational Therapy Assistant Pledge and Creed, while Makenna Leicht led nursing students in the Nursing Pledge.

BSN graduate Ally Kuns said the pinning ceremony symbolizes the completion of professional programs, and an official initiation into the profession for nursing, rehabilitation sciences, and allied health graduates. She thanked everyone who supported them as they earned their degrees.

"Many of us have chosen this career to help people and make a difference in someone's life," she said. "Our professional programs have helped all of us learn to be competent, compassionate, curious, and confident. But we didn't do this alone. We can thank our professors for passing their knowledge and expertise to us, and a special thank you to our friends and family for their continuous support. These are the people in our lives who have encouraged us along the way and have helped keep us inspired and dedicated to what we will do in our careers."

Students honored included:

Veteran honor cords: Dallas Gullion, Noblesville

Academic honor cords with highest distinction: Megan Newsome, LaGrange; Makayla Clark, Noblesville; Alana Bell and Drake Guyer, Peru

Academic honor cords with high distinction: Reiley Hiser, Alexandria

Academic honor cords with distinction: Avery Williams, Gladstone, Oregon

Honors program graduates: Ashley Derf, Akron; Annalissa Brown, Cicero; Allison Kuns, Cutler; Amanda Marie Acosta, Kokomo; Karedis Robinson Araujo, Noblesville; Drake Harvey Guyer, Peru; Ashley Lyons, Wabash; Heather R. Grandstaff, Walton

Outstanding student in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program: Reiley Hiser, Alexandria

Outstanding student in the traditional BSN program: Ally Kuns, Cutler

Those pinned included:

Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Science:

Indianapolis: Summer Russell

Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences:

Alexandria: Reiley Hiser

Frankfort: Josseline Valdez

Gladstone, Oregon: Avery Williams

LaGrange: Megan Newsome

Michigantown: Rhiese Shelley

Noblesville: Makayla Clark

Peru: Alana Bell

Rochester: Daphnie Nolen

Tipton: Jovany Fuentes

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, RN to BSN:

Akron: Ashley Derf

Walton: Heather Grandstaff

Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

Anderson: Emma Perry

Cicero: Annalissa Brown, Madison Dotlich

Covington: Paige Messmore

Galveston: Amanda Fordyce

Greentown: Kara Otto, Mia Rice

Indianapolis Ana Baires

Kokomo: Blessing Adepoju, Aidan Conrad, Evan Gaylor, Rachel Truman

Lafayette: Abigail Badgett

Logansport: Marianna Figueroa

Marion: Mia Edwards

Noblesville: Karedis Robinson Araujo, Emma Cowan, Matthew Kado, Alexis Ketring

Peru: Drake Harvey Guyer

Plainfield: Mya Hernandez Urbina

Wabash: Ashley Lyons

Walton: Kate Davis

Windfall: Jace Cassity

Nursing graduates who participated in Legacy pinning, receiving their pin from a family member who is a registered nurse, are listed with their family member. They include:

Alexandria: Emily Leever (Cassie Wyatt), Madison Neel (Emily Reith)

Brownsburg: Ava Allen Landon (Jessica Harnish)

Cutler: Ally Kuns (Jonni Miller)

Galveston: Makenna Leicht (Jessica Leicht)

Greentown: Macy Riley (Miriah Flowers)

Kokomo: McKennah Harrell (Tina Harrell), Lindsay Larson (Ty Collier), Emma Morgan (Janell Raulerson), Taylor Schmidt (Gretea Shock)

Lafayette: Malorie McGuire (Renee Foushi)

Lagro: Kalista Ballschmidt (Peggy Ballschmidt)

Lebanon: Electra Curtis (Haley Shirley)

Peru: Landon Nelson (Lauma Duncan), Elaina Sylvian (Stacy Nipple), Grace Uttinger (Annette Pratt)

Swayzee: Landon Ashley (Tyler Ashley)

Wabash: Michael Wohlford Jr. (Sandra Wohlford)

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.