Davenport University celebrates nursing graduates with time-honored pinning ceremonies across Michigan

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, an opportune time to highlight the achievements and dedication of Davenport University's newest pinned nurses

Davenport University honored BSN-PL (Bachelor of Science in Nursing pre-licensure) graduates on four Davenport campuses recently as they prepare to enter the workforce through the time-honored practice of 'pinning'.

"Each of our BSN-PL graduates should be incredibly proud of what they've accomplished," said Amy Stahley, dean of the College of Health Professions. "They have demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience and compassion. Nursing is a noble profession, and these graduates are entering the field with not only the knowledge but the heart to make a true difference."

Ninety-seven BSN-PL (Bachelor of Science in Nursing pre-licensure) graduates were pinned in four separate Davenport ceremonies, largely organized by the Student Nursing Association members on the W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids, Great Lakes Bay, Lansing and Warren campuses. Another 17 nursing students were pinned on the Lettinga campus in the fall.

The tradition of pinning nurses was inspired by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, and dates back to the 1860s. Nightingale received the Red Cross of St. George and went on to award medals of her own to outstanding nurses. This highly symbolic tradition continues today and is a rite of passage for nursing students as they complete their training and prepare to begin their careers.

During each campus ceremony, all nurses in the audience were asked to join the graduates in reciting the Nurse Pledge, a solemn oath to uphold the principles of confidentiality, holistic care, advocacy and evidence-based practice.

W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus

On April 26, 45 BSN-PL graduates were pinned in the auditorium of Davenport's W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids campus, surrounded by family and friends.

The audience heard from graduating students, Anna Kuyers and Melissa LeClaire, who shared their journeys through nursing school and their hopes for the future.

Four outstanding students, Grace Buckland, Anna Kuyers, Sydney Fritz and Melanie Van Day-len, were recognized for their academic excellence, earning a 3.9 GPA or higher, while demonstrating an affirmative attitude toward Davenport University and professionalism with faculty, staff and fellow students.

The ceremony came to a close with Debbie Bosworth, Davenport's Lettinga Campus nursing program director, sharing her team's mission statement, which is used to help guide students through the nursing program: "Love Them Where They Are At."

The mission statement reads:To provide compassionate and holistic education to our students by embracing moments of reflection (Pause), adapting to change with agility and innovation (Pivot), and fostering a culture of continuous growth and well-being (Prosperity) to those we serve.

"This mission has become more than just words on paper," said Bosworth. "It has become our lens, our foundation and our daily reminder to meet our students with empathy, understanding and grace. Or as we say, to "Love them where they are at."

Great Lakes Bay Campus in Midland

The Great Lakes Bay - Midland pinning ceremony took place on April 18 at the historic Ideal Theater in Clare. Fifteen Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates crossed the stage, each receiving their nursing pin from a chosen individual - a family member, friend or mentor - while interim campus director Denise Derr shared heartfelt thank-you messages from the graduates. Associate chair and Davenport's Midland Campus nursing program coordinator Michelle Hagstrom delivered remarks. The ceremony also featured a moving reflection speech by graduating student Nicole Duffy.

Lansing Campus

In Lansing, 18 BSN graduates were honored during a ceremony held April 26 at the MSU Kellogg Center in East Lansing. Kim Garza, Davenport's Lansing campus nursing program director, delivered the opening remarks, then Jenny Thurber, director of Student Services, and Samantha Wilber, nursing clinical coordinator, presented Student Nurses Association (SNA) cords to graduating members. Students Bailey Diaz, Caitlin Griffith, Jesse Ward and Kenonica Joseph also spoke, sharing appreciation for faculty, their personal journeys, and heartfelt stories about their Student Nursing Association board and members.

The Davenport University Lansing Student Nurses Association was honored earlier this year for student club of the year during the annual Pawscards Awards Ceremony.

Warren Campus

Davenport's Warren campus celebrated its nursing graduates with a pinning ceremony on April 11 at the John Lewis Center, located on Macomb Community College's South Campus. Nineteen BSN graduates were honored during the event, which featured remarks from professor Sarah Charnesky, Davenport's Warren campus nursing program coordinator Kim Garza, professor Gideon Njankwi, professor Amanda Binge and simulation lab and clinical coordinator Rebecca Pines. Each speaker offered congratulations and words of encouragement to the graduating class. The ceremony also included reflections from student speakers Destini Santiago and Cheyenne Jay, who shared their personal experiences and gratitude as they prepared to enter the nursing profession. Students Cassandra Crick, Madeline Messing and Fatima Hachem also spoke, giving a general welcome and introducing faculty and staff.

"The room was filled with family, friends and guests of the graduating nurses," said Warren campus director, Susan Crkovski. "It was a beautiful ceremony."

Lettinga Campus - Fall 2024:

Davenport's W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus nursing program is divided into two cohorts - with pinning ceremonies in the spring and fall. Last semester, 17 BSN-PL graduates from Cohort B were pinned in a ceremony in the auditorium at Davenport's W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus.

The program featured two inspiring graduate speakers, Ashleigh Jarrard and Hannah VanScoyoc.

In her speech, Jarrard fondly recalled a poignant moment on the first day of her nursing fundamentals class, taught by professor Carrie Monaghan. Jarrard said Monaghan told the roomful of students that while they were strangers at that moment, they would become like family by their junior year, and she was right.

This message came to life as VanScoyoc recounted her own story of perseverance. After withdrawing from pharmacology in April 2021, she believed her future was in jeopardy. However, her nursing cohort became her family, offering support during difficult times, even picking her up on the side of the road when her car broke down and helping to fix her car.

"It was wonderful to witness the care and camaraderie of this nursing cohort, and to see the strong bonds that had formed throughout their journey," said Bosworth.

Two outstanding students, Kiley Aldred and Laura Borema were also recognized at that time for their academic excellence, earning a 3.9 GPA or higher. In addition to their strong academic performance, they were honored for consistently demonstrating a positive attitude toward Davenport University and upholding a high standard of professionalism with faculty, staff, and peers.

This event concluded with closing remarks from Bosworth, titled "Heart First Nursing."

Drawing on the heart's critical role in pumping blood, she encouraged graduates to embrace the "Heart First" philosophy as they enter the nursing profession. Bosworth urged them to wear their nursing pins with pride as symbols of their educational and clinical competence. She inspired graduates to advocate for the voiceless, the vulnerable, and those without support systems.

Her closing message emphasized the importance of courage, humility, and heart in the nursing field. With the Class of 2024 joining in the rhythmic sounds of a heart's "lub dub," the ceremonies ended with a call for graduates to approach their profession with boldness, humility, and compassion embodying the spirit of a "Heart First Nurse."

To learn more about Davenport's nursing program, click here.