Brenau University Sends 65 New Nurses Off Into The World

Shannon Charles, center smiles to her daughter Allie after she was pinned by her daugher, her husband Bradley and son Landon during the Brenau University School of Nursing’s pinning ceremony Thurdsay, May 2.

The Brenau University nursing school’s annual pinning ceremony took place in Pearce Auditorium on the Gainesville campus, Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 6 p.m.

The ceremony, an over 50 year old tradition, welcomed 65 new nurses into the fold while over 700 faculty, family and friends looked on from the historic auditorium.

Keeta Wilborn, director of the Brenau University School of Nursing, said the pinning ceremony is more than just recognizing the students at the school.

“It marks the transition for the nurse into professional life and is a way to say goodbye to those of us who are left behind,” Wilborn said.

A nurses pin is a badge of honor that they can proudly wear signifying they are a qualified and trained nurse. Nursing students put in a great deal of work and form strong bonds with one another as they go through their program, which makes the ceremony a significant event in their lives.

With the pinning ceremony, a senior awards presentation that recognizes outstanding students and a heartfelt slideshow of memorable photos from the students time in the nursing school, the program was an emotional time for the students, faculty and their families.

: Melissa Waldrop is greeted by family and friends outside of Pearce Auditorium after Waldrop was pinned during the Brenau University School of Nursing’s pinning ceremony.

: The lobby of Pearce Auditorium was high with emotion after the Brenau University School Nursing’s pinning ceremony which welcomed 65 new nurses into the fold.

: Thuy-Lieu Nguyen helps a friend with her candle afer the Brenau University School of Nursing pinning ceremony.

: Stephanie Mutton, holds out her hands as nursing faculty member Kathy Bridgefarmer reads the blessing of the hands portion of the Brenau University School of Nursing’s pinning ceremony.

: Tyrone Tucker, center, waits with the rest of the Brenau University School of Nursing students as they are pinned in historic Pearce Auditorium Thursday, May 2.

: Erik Nemecek speaks with Elizabeth Conoley before he pins his friend Kelly Gaddis during the School of Nursing pinning ceremony at Brenau University Thurdsay, May 2.

: Shannon Charles, center smiles to her daughter Allie after she was pinned by her daugher, her husband Bradley and son Landon during the School of Nursing pinning ceremony at Brenau University Thurdsay, May 2.

: Vanessa Dietrich, right waves to her family and friends as Teresa MC Donald, the Evening Weekend class president, speaks to the fmaily, friends and faculty in attendance at the School of Nursing pinning ceremony at Brenau University Thurdsay, May 2.

: James Armooh displays his pin from the Brenau University School of Nursing. Each nursing school has a pin that is unique so their graduates can remember the hard work, struggles and bonds created during their time as a nursing student.

: Ashley Latty, right, is pinned by her husband Bart and daughter Morgan during the Brenau University Nurses pinning ceremony on Thursday, May 2.

: Nursing students from Brenau University bow their heads and pray as Jami Leverett, Evening and Weekend class vice president, gives the benediction after the pinning ceremony.

: Traditionally the nurses pinning ceremony is an emotional event for the students because it signifys the completion of an intense amount of work and the departure from their nursing school into the working world.

: A standing ovation is given as the Brenau University School of Nursing presents the most recently pinned nurses.

: Shannon Charles, left, smiles as she is called to be pinned with her 3-year-old daughter Allie.

: Derick McConnell, Women’s College Class president, leans in to share a moemnt with Teresa McDonald, Evening and Weekend class president, while their colleagues are pinned during the pinning ceremony.

: Jami Leverett is pinned by her mother Beverly during the Brenau University School of Nursing’s pinning ceremony in Pearce Auditorium Thurdsay, May 2.

: Brenau University Chaplin Rev. Donald Harrison gives the invocation before the start of the Brenau University School of Nursing pinning ceremony Thursday, May 2.

: Brenau University Chaplin Rev. Donald Harrison gives the invocation before the start of the Brenau University School of Nursing pinning ceremony Thursday, May 2.

: Fromt left, Amy Sedgwick, Brandy Perry, Joni Quinlan, Jennifer Cawthorn, Caroline Larson and Derick McConnell stand on stage in Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium during the nursing school’s pinning ceremony.

: Shannon Charles walks with her 3-year-old daughter Allie who placed the pin on her mother’s robes during the Brenau University Nurses pinning ceremony on Thursday, May 2.