Pinning Ceremony Honors Nursing Graduates

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Nursing program recognized 69 graduates from January 2022 and 78 graduates from June 2022 during a traditional rite of passage, the Nurse’s Pinning Ceremony.

Held June 22 in Theatre 1 at BMCC’s Chambers Street campus, the program’s featured guests included BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe. He congratulated the graduates on having excelled in their studies, even as they managed family and work responsibilities, and dealt with pandemic restrictions on their education.

“We are all grateful you chose BMCC to guide you in becoming the members of the next generation of nurses. You have learned many skills that equip you to make a difference every day in someone’s life—no matter how big or small,” said President Munroe. “You will be a light in their lives during the darkness. You will be their hope and their guide. You will be there to comfort them when they have pain and sorrow. I know each of you will make a difference and do great things, and I, along with the professors and staff from BMCC, will be cheering you along the way.”

The keynote guest speaker for the event was Sonia Nelson, Former Director of Nursing at Mount Sinai Health Systems. “I am so proud of the BMCC nursing graduates of January and June 2022,” said Ms. Nelson. “Congratulations to a job well done!”

Other speakers were Dr. Erwin Wong, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Marva Craig, Vice President for Student Affairs, and Dr. Michael Hutmaker, Dean of Student Affairs. The ceremony was led by Judy Eng, Professor and Chair of Nursing.

Program highlights included the singing of the national anthem, “Star-Spangled Banner,” by 2022 Nursing graduate Janessa Lyons. Other ceremonial traditions included the lighting of the nursing lamp, and the nurse’s pledge.

Closing of the ceremony featured reflections shared by 2022 graduates Ki Bang, Janika Reid, Fred Ditman and Ethan Schiavi.

Nursing graduate Jolly Santoro shares this advise for aspiring nurses: “Follow your calling as a nurse and help those in need with courage and pride. There is no greater satisfaction than making a difference in someone else’s life.”

Ethan Schiavi, also member of the Nursing graduating class, says, “The nursing pinning ceremony is a time-honored tradition, and this year’s ceremony— in person for the first time in two years—was extra special. We worked incredibly hard at our education during this pandemic and now we’re able to go out in the world with a fresh set of hands to help give our fellow healthcare workers a break. They’ve gone above and beyond, so it’s well deserved. I’m ready to help out in any way that I can!”

In the weeks to come, the most recent BMCC Nursing graduates will take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (RNs).

Notable Nursing alumni from BMCC include Dr. Sandra Lindsay, the first person in the United States to receive the coronavirus vaccine, and an advocate for public health in underrepresented communities.

BMCC offers both full- and part-time, evening and weekend nursing programs for students who wish to become Registered Nurses. Highlights of the Nursing curriculum include courses in medical-surgical nursing care, pediatric care, maternal-newborn care and psychiatric nursing care. The program offers a Nursing Skills Laboratory, where students practice techniques with human patients simulators. BMCC Nursing majors also benefit from a robust extern program that provides clinical experience in public and private hospitals throughout New York City.

For more information on the Nursing program at BMCC, contact (212) 220-8230 or nursing@bmcc.cuny.edu.