Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu 
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

            The Department of Nursing at Shawnee State University held a Pinning Ceremony for students receiving bachelor’s and associate degrees in nursing on April 30 at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.
            The pinning ceremony is a public symbol of work well done. It originated from the time when the Crusaders marched to Jerusalem to recover the Holy Land. Among the Crusaders were the Hospitallers in black robes with a white Maltese cross sewn on the front of the robe. That cross became the symbol of people who cared for the sick.
            The pin itself relates to customs from the 16th century. It was a symbol of noblemen who served kings with distinction. Later, the privilege was extended to schools, and Florence Nightingale chose the Maltese cross for the badge worn by graduates of her school of nursing. In modern times, each school has adopted a unique pin that is symbolic of the program.

In Photo:
Five students received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. All students are listed in alphabetical order: Jessica Hubbard, Kimberley D. Jodrey, Brittany Morgan, Sandra Rogers and Connie Sullivan. The following 45 students received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing: Frankie Benson, Kristi Chapman, Christopher Cruea, Brent Downing, Jessica Eldridge, Kristen A. Fike, Sarah R. Fox, Lena Gambill, Penny Hafer, Erin Hankins, Rae Heimbach, Ashley Henderson, Christine Highland, Amanda Hill, Danielle Holtz, Rana L. Howard, Deanna Hunt, Pamela Hunter, Richard Jackson, Robert Charles Kerecz Jr., Andrea D. King, Kristen Ann LaCoste, Melissa M. LeMaster, Matthew Little, Samantha Brooke Mays, Kristyn M. McLaughlin, Robert S. Mitchell II, Laken D. Moore, Kayla Page, Teresa Patrick, Erin M. Peoples, Autumn Nichole Perry, Ashley F. Rapp, Charlene K. Rapp, Deborahann Red, Kayla Ross, Joshua L. Salley, Michelle Alexandra Slone, Tonya Renea Sowards, Casey Renee Stapleton, Terry Stewart, Courtney Thornsberry, Regina E. Tolliver, Jessica Waugh and Laurel Westberg-Walsh.