Marie Mattei-Weiland stands up to receive the Amy Frances Brown Prize for Excellence in Writing at the School of Nursing’s pinning ceremony. (photo by Joe Howell)
VUSN students mark milestone at pinning ceremony
The largest group in Vanderbilt University School of Nursing's history received their professional pins of Nursing at a ceremony held Sunday at Belmont University's Curb Center.
VUSN Dean Colleen Conway-Welch, Ph.D., awarded pins to 267 students before a crowd of more than 2,000 friends and family members in attendance.
Kristen Elion celebrates receiving her professional pin with family members Trent Bell, left, and Tevin Willingan. (photo by Joe Howell)
Vanderbilt's nursing program begins and ends in August. The pinning ceremony formally recognizes students when they finish their master's program, and many students return to campus for Vanderbilt's official commencement in the spring.
“You join thousands of VUSN nursing graduates who are making a difference around the world,” Conway-Welch said.
Linda Norman, D.S.N., R.N., senior associate dean for Academics, explained that the professional pin is a symbol that dates back to Florence Nightingale, and that the pin of each School of Nursing across the country is unique.
VUSN student Megan Cruz gets flowers and a hug from her friends following Sunday’s ceremony. (photo by Joe Howell)
During the ceremony, each of the school's program directors presented an award for the outstanding student in each specialty area:
• Joshua Thomas — Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program
• Niki Summers — Adult Nurse Practitioner Program
• Karie Falder — Clinical Management
• Morgan Stone — Family Nurse Practitioner Program
• Brenda Hershberger — Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program
• Kristin Humm — Nursing Informatics student
• Kelly Davis — Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program
• Michael Radyko — Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
• Heather Hodges — Women's Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Other awards included the Amy Frances Brown prize for excellence in writing, given to student Marie Mattei-Weiland. Matthew Cody Bowers won the VUSN alumni award.
Two faculty members were also honored by the student body. Samantha Mulder received the Julia Hereford Award for her contributions outside the clinics and classroom.
Teresa Inott was honored with the Sara K. Archer Award for outstanding contributions to teaching and scholarliness.