La Plata, Md., May 15, 2025 — The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated 50 nursing graduates during a pinning ceremony on May 8 at the La Plata Campus, marking their transition from students to healthcare professionals. Held at the Brad and Linda Gottfried Theater, the event honored the Associate Degree Nursing graduates for their dedication and prepared them for careers or further medical education.
CSM President Dr. Yolanda Wilson addressed the graduates, emphasizing the significance of their journey. “Graduates, you chose an academic journey that would lead to a career rooted in care, compassion, and responsibility,” Wilson said. “You accepted the challenge of long days, late nights, and sacrifices. You did this not only for yourselves, but for the patients and communities you will serve.”
The pinning ceremony, a tradition dating back to 1916 in the United States, symbolizes the completion of nursing education and readiness for professional practice. Linda Goodman, Professor of Nursing, Clinical Simulation, explained its historical roots, noting that Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing in New York City was the first to award a nursing pin. “The nursing pin’s design is unique to each school and nursing program,” Goodman said. CSM’s nursing program, established in 1979 as part of Charles County Community College, awarded its first pins in 1981, continuing a legacy of service.
Wilson highlighted the communal effort behind the graduates’ success. “Tonight is also a moment to celebrate those who supported you, the faculty who challenged you and believed in you, the clinical instructors who helped turn your learning into practice, the families and friends who stood by you through every obstacle and achievement,” she said. She described the nursing pin as more than a symbol of academic completion. “The pin is a symbol of your readiness. It represents your transition from student to professional. It carries a legacy of service, and it connects you to generations of nurses who came before you and those who will follow,” Wilson added.
Professor of Nursing Annette Ragland spoke to the graduates’ role in healthcare. “You are entering a profession that is often considered to be the heart of healthcare. And that is not just because of what nurses do, it is because of who nurses are,” Ragland said. She emphasized resilience and empathy, stating, “The strength of a nurse doesn’t come from being unshakable — it comes from being human. A nurse’s strength comes from bringing compassion into chaos, and from being the calm in someone else’s storm.” Ragland encouraged the graduates to view their compassion as a strength, saying, “Caring deeply is not a weakness. As a nurse, it is your superpower.”
Graduate Jazylyn Hernandez reflected on the cohort’s shared experience. “Nursing students here today were called to the profession because of their courage to care and passion to help others. Caring is not something we were taught; we brought this trait with us on the very first day of nursing school and have consistently used it ever since,” Hernandez said. She highlighted the camaraderie among students, noting,“Our shared compassion has built a sense of community within our cohort to not only care for our patients at clinicals but also for each other as we experienced this journey together.” Hernandez praised her peers, stating, “I am proud to be graduating with a group of very knowledgeable, hardworking, caring, and compassionate individuals.”
The ceremony recognized 50 graduates, including Nadine Allen, Kortni Amundson, Koutouan Assande, Maggie Barnes, and Jazylyn Hernandez, among others. Photos of the event are available online.
CSM’s nursing program has grown since its inception, maintaining a commitment to training skilled and compassionate nurses. The pinning ceremony underscores the institution’s role in preparing healthcare professionals for Southern Maryland and beyond. Graduates now join a network of alumni contributing to patient care in hospitals, clinics, and communities, carrying forward the values instilled during their education.
The event also highlighted the broader impact of nursing education, with faculty and clinical instructors playing a pivotal role in shaping competent professionals. As the graduates move forward, they carry the legacy of CSM’s nursing program and the enduring symbol of their pins, representing their readiness to serve.
