The Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing celebrated the Class of 2025 during its annual Nurse Pinning Ceremony on May 8, at the Hobson Performance Center at Campbell University. Surrounded by family, friends and faculty, the graduates were honored for their hard work, resilience and dedication to the nursing profession.
The auspicious event began with a warm welcome from Dr. Pamela Edwards, chair and director of Nursing, followed by greetings from Dr. Wes Rich, associate dean for Health Sciences. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Nancy Duffy, founding director of the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing, who reflected on the evolving role of nurses in a dynamic healthcare landscape and the enduring values that define the profession. In her remarks, she shared pearls of wisdom with the graduates to “always use your brain to think critically, your mouth to advocate for your patients and your spine to stand strong in the face of challenges.”
The ceremony continued with a series of student awards recognizing leadership, compassion, advocacy and service.
The Dr. Nancy Duffy Leadership Award, presented to a senior BSN student who exemplifies the qualities of a nurse leader, was awarded to Savannah-Grace Jones. Jones was commended for her creative approach to patient care, her ability to work constructively through the many challenges she faced, and her openness to opportunities for growth in her craft.
The Allison Ann Baker Impact Award, named in memory of a passionate mental health nurse who worked to combat stigma and elevate care for vulnerable patients, honors a student who shares that same commitment. This year’s recipient, Emily McAteer, was recognized for her calm demeanor, strong clinical judgment, and exceptional leadership as a Student Leadership Council member and as a member of the Student Nurses Association. She successfully juggled the demands of both coursework and clinical responsibilities while making a meaningful impact in the mental health field.
The Nursing Advocacy Award was presented to Kaitlyn Kidd for outstanding commitment to advocating for patient well-being and demonstrating clinical reasoning in complex care scenarios.
The Dr. Sandra Goins Nursing Duty, Honor, and Integrity Award was presented to Christian Contreras, a student with ties to military service who has persevered through the demands of nursing school while demonstrating unwavering support for his fellow students. He has remained committed to his nursing education while overcoming challenges often faced by our veterans.
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was presented to Zoe Hoffman-Edminster in recognition of compassionate, patient-centered care during clinical rotations. The award, part of a national program honoring exceptional nurses, celebrates the impact nursing students have on patients and families.
The inaugural Student Nurses Association Leadership Award recognizes a graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to the nursing profession through their role in the Student Nurses Association. This year’s first-ever recipient, Zoey Brewer, served as president of the SNA, where she led with dedication, fostered community among her peers, and championed opportunities for professional growth and engagement throughout the nursing program.
Also recognized during the ceremony was the Clinical Instructor of the Year, an honor voted on by the senior nursing students to acknowledge a faculty member who has made a lasting impact on their clinical education. This year’s recipient, Jeremy Robbins, was praised for his ability to inspire, challenge, and support each student. He fosters an environment where learning thrives and ensures students are equipped with both the knowledge and compassion needed to succeed in their nursing careers.
After the awards presentation, the most symbolic moment of the ceremony arrived: the pinning of each nursing graduate. Some were pinned by faculty members, others by loved ones—each moment marking a deeply personal and emotional milestone in the journey to becoming a nurse.
As the ceremony came to a close, the graduates, along with practicing nurses in attendance, stood together to recite the Florence Nightingale Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to integrity, compassion, and service.
About the Nursing Pinning Tradition
The tradition of the nursing pin dates back to the 1860s and the Nightingale School of Nursing at St. Thomas Hospital in London. Florence Nightingale, having been awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her service during the Crimean War, began presenting her outstanding students with a medal of excellence—a tradition that has evolved into the modern-day pinning ceremony. The pinning marks the transition from student to practicing nurse and is unique to each school. Campbell University’s pin was designed by the inaugural Class of 2018 and represents the values and mission of the Catherine W. Wood School of Nursing.
