School of Nursing Graduates Celebrate Tradition, Triumph at 2025 Pinning Ceremony
With smiles, tears and a powerful sense of purpose, Hartwick College’s nursing graduates crossed the stage on May 16 in Binder Gymnasium—not for diplomas, but for something just as meaningful: their pins. Held the day before commencement, the Hartwick College School of Nursing Pinning Ceremony honored 37 graduating seniors in a tradition steeped in symbolism, emotion and pride.
The ceremony included three signature elements: the presentation of the white coat, a collective recitation of the International Nurse’s Pledge and insight into the tradition behind the nursing pin as it ties this year’s class to the more than 3,000 nursing alumni of Hartwick College who deliver nursing care across the nation and around the world.
Kim Smith, associate professor and chair of the School of Nursing, addressed the class with powerful affirmation.
“There is only a very small percentage of people who have the ability, compassion, resilience and tenacity to do what you have just done,” Smith said. “I am not sure if you realize it yet, but you are awesome! You should acknowledge this and draw a certain amount of confidence from it. The possibilities are endless for you.”
President Jim Mullen spoke of the profound impact the graduates are poised to make.
“You will enrich the profession of nursing by who you are and by the joy you bring to making the world healthier and more compassionate,” Mullen said. “Thank you for who you are, the dedication you brought to your studies and the difference you’re about to make for your world.”
Keynote speaker Lorena Marra, MS, FNP-C, was selected by the class of 2025 to share her wisdom. An assistant professor of nursing, Marra reminded students that their learning journey has only just begun.
“Embrace that this is not the end of your learning,” Marra said. “While school is done, for now, every day of your life, you will be learning and improving your practice as a result. This is one of the many sacred duties that you have as you take on the role of a nurse. Just as you have been held to a higher standard in college, you need to hold yourself to a higher standard in your practice.”
Nursing major and class speaker Mira Dinh ’25 reflected on the bonds that have carried her classmates through the challenges of nursing school.
“My fellow graduates, while this may be the end of our nursing school journey, it is only the beginning of the impact we will make,” Dinh said. “So as we step forward into this next chapter, may we carry with us not just the skills we’ve learned, but the friendships, the memories, and the resilience that we built together. Long after we leave Hartwick, these connections will remain a part of us, reminding us where we started and how far we’ve come.”
Hartwick Nursing alumna Maria Vezina ’73, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, offered insight from her distinguished nursing leadership and education career. A fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a member of Hartwick’s Board of Trustees, Vezina encouraged the graduates to embrace presence over perfection.
“My respect for nursing is very deep,” said Vezina. “Because being a nurse is not about being perfect. It’s about being present.”
Before the pinning ceremony, the students gathered on May 15 for a rehearsal, followed by a celebratory picnic at Neahwa Park hosted by Rehabilitation Support Services, a local provider of mental health and substance abuse services. The event served as a thank-you for the students’ contributions during their mental health clinical rotations and offered a space to reflect and connect before graduation.
The Class of 2025 spent approximately 115,000 hours studying during their time at Hartwick, according to a senior survey filled out just weeks before graduation. They powered through with 2,800 pizzas, 1,950 pounds of chocolate, 40,000 cups of coffee, and 12,000 energy drinks. Their favorite ways to de-stress after exams ranged from yoga and hiking to phone calls home, dog cuddles, and even bed rotting on TikTok.
They’ve also secured jobs at respected healthcare institutions across the country, from Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, and the Albany Medical Center to hospitals in Virginia and Maine.
