Graduating FSW nursing students honored in virtual pinning ceremony

Reporter: Breana Ross Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

Those who have set out to join others in their work to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic are getting big honors this weekend.

FSW nursing students who have completed their program at the state college took part in a virtual pinning ceremony Saturday.

We spoke with the two professors who organized the pinning ceremony, and they called it a rite of passage, one that dates back decades and one they refused to let their students miss out on.

Professors Hope Goodwin and Amanda Fetchko hosted a virtual pinning ceremony for 16 students graduating from the FSW nursing program.

The ceremony is designed to honor the students’ hard work and accomplishments with a pin representing their school, which they can wear with pride once they begin working as nurses.

The ceremony also honored Diane Catalano a member of the graduating class who tragically passed away in an accident. Her son gave a keynote speech during the virtual ceremony.

Professors with the program say the ceremony is always emotional, and this year was no different.

“You get a little attached to them, and it’s hard to let them go,” Goodwin told WINK News. “But we’re so happy to see them excel and just make the nursing profession even better and promoting positive change during this crazy time right now.”

The ceremony also honored health care workers already serving on the front lines. The professors we spoke to told us this graduating class is eager to pass their licensing exams, so they can help save lives too.

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