Nursing Grads Celebrated at Pinning Ceremony

Aiken, SC (11/23/2020) — The University of South Carolina Aiken School of Nursing celebrated its fall 2020 graduates during a pinning ceremony, held just prior to graduation.

The ceremony is a honorable tradition for those earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Friends and family watched a livestream of graduates as they received a professional pin that displays symbols specific to UofSC Aiken. The pin includes colors of red and gold to represent courage and worthiness. It also features the Double Knot, a notable marker on campus that symbolizes the relationship between the university and the community. The seal of the State of South Carolina is also displayed, to give emphasis to the value placed upon higher education. Rays of light at the top of the pin symbolize the light of knowledge.

Students also lit candles as part of the tradition honoring Florence Nightingale, who is considered to be the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale, who became known as "the lady with the lamp" during the Crimean War, would keep watch over sick patients after medical officials retired for the night. The lighting of the candle represents the tradition that nurses light their lamps of caring and hope.

Thayer McGahee, dean of the school of nursing, says that although this year's ceremony was a little different from those in the past, the importance still remains.

"Although our pinning ceremony will look a little different this year and cannot include guests, we did not want this significant milestone in the lives of our graduates to go unrecognized and without celebration. We are so very proud of them and all they have accomplished."

Fall 2020 School of Nursing Graduates:

Cynthia Afedo-Abotsi

Valerie Allen, RN

Veronica Alvarez

Murphy Bazemore

Brielle Bedenbaugh

Brittany Bowen

Alivia Bryan*

Christine Carroll

ShaMeka Carter, RN

Richelle Conteh

Kelly Dacre*