Elon University’s Nursing Program celebrated its inaugural bachelor of science in nursing cohort’s nursing pinning ceremony on May 21 in McCrary Theatre.
The cohort is the first to graduate from the undergraduate nursing program since its establishment in the fall of 2021. The program received its accreditation in February 2025.
During the ceremony, 27 nursing students were recognized for their work over the past four years, with each receiving a nursing pin and graduation stole.
In an interview with Elon News Network, nursing department chair and program director Dr. Cathy Quay said pinning ceremonies date back to the 1800s, with Florence Nightingale, deemed the founder of modern nursing, creating a crest for the graduates of her nursing school to wear.
Nursing department chair and program director Dr. Cathy Quay invites the nursing department to stand for recognition on May 21 at McCrary Theatre.
During the ceremony, Bella Saliba, a senior nursing student, read about the significance of receiving a nursing pin.
“Pinning signifies the transition from student nurse to professional nurse, and your entry into the world of our nursing colleagues,” Saliba said. “The nursing pin is a symbol of your new place in that world. It demonstrates in a visible way where you have come from, as well as where you were headed.”
Senior nursing student Amelia Tally said in an interview with Elon News Network she thinks it means a lot to her cohort and professors to see a group of students finish the accredited program for the first time.
“We just have a different bond and relationship amongst ourselves and the professors that I don't know if any of the classes after us will ever have, and so I feel like that's special,” Tally said.
Beyond receiving their pins and stoles, awards were given out, including “Academic Achievement,” the “Trailblazer Award,” “Heart of the Cohort Award” and “Phoenix Award.”
Senior nursing student Olivia Landolfo, who was selected by her class and the nursing faculty to speak during the ceremony, was one of the two recipients of the “Academic Achievement” award. In her speech, Landolfo highlighted the challenges and experiences her cohort faced as the inaugural group.
“We built the first committees and clubs, tested out academic schedules and clinical rotations and adapted to constant and significant change,” Landolfo said. “We learned how to be resilient in the face of adversity, and unknowingly, we paved the way for hundreds of new students gracing the Francis Center as incoming freshmen.”
Senior nursing student Eric Mulford received the “Heart of the Cohort Award,” an award nominated and voted on by the cohort for a student who is always inspirational and positive towards their peers.
“These women have been my everything,” Mulford said in an interview with Elon News Network. “I have studied with them, we've done clinicals together, we've breathed together, we've done a lot of things together. And to have them nominate me for this is very rewarding, and I'm very thankful for that.”
To close the ceremony, Quay highlighted the significance of being a nurse.
“People need you,” Quay said. “Our healthcare system needs you. Our world needs you, because nursing has the power to change lives.”
After graduation, the next step for the new cohort of nurses will be to pass their licensing exam so they can begin working in the medical field. Mulford said he is confident his cohort will accomplish even more post-graduation.
“We're going to do amazing things, and I'm looking forward to regrouping at homecoming events, and to seeing where everybody lands and see how everybody's doing,” Mulford said.