School of Nursing graduates participate in pinning ceremony
The Linfield University School of Nursing celebrated its graduating class during the 2025 Spring Pinning Ceremony, held Sunday, June 1, 2025.
The time-honored tradition marks the transition from student to professional nurse for graduates of the university’s prelicensure nursing programs. Nearly 150 students were celebrated by friends, families, faculty and staff for their compassion, resilience and dedication.
The ceremony recognized the graduates of the School of Nursing’s traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (TBSN) program, accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN) program. It followed Linfield University’s 2025 Commencement earlier in the day, which celebrated more than 470 Linfield University graduates from the School of Nursing, as well as the School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences.
Paul Smith, dean of the School of Nursing, applauded the graduates’ perseverance on their nursing school journey.
“As dean, I had the privilege of watching your growth. And let me just say you didn’t simply make it through this program, you earned every step,” he said. Smith went on to highlight the tight-knit community that developed within each cohort.
“Just as important as the knowledge you’ve gained was the way you showed up for one another,” he said. “You leaned in, you lifted each other up and created a community grounded in care, encouragement and shared purpose. Through it all, you proved time and again that you have what it takes. And somewhere along the way, you found your people. Forming friendships that will carry you long after you hang up your student badge.”
Receiving their pins and entering the profession
Continuing Linfield tradition, each graduate selected a mentor, family member or friend to present them with their nursing pin.
“Each student has chosen someone who played a pivotal role in their journey,” Smith said. “This moment is a symbol of gratitude, connection and support.”
Cheers, applause and a few joyful tears filled the crowd as grandparents, friends, parents, partners, children and even other cohort members shared the stage with Linfield’s newest nursing graduates.
ABSN graduate Justin Hall gave one of the student addresses, reflecting on the unique joys and challenges of being a nurse.
“Each one of us brings something powerful to this profession: life experience, grit, and even the ability to survive a full shift on nothing but a sip of water and a leftover piece of bacon…” said Justin Hall, the ABSN student speaker. “We get to show up in people’s worst moments, not to save the day like superheroes but to offer compassion, skill, presence and the occasional perfectly-timed shot of epinephrine.”
Dean Smith concurred and reminded students that while their time at Linfield may be ending, their journey in nursing is just beginning.
“You’re stepping into one of the most powerful and human professions there is,” he said. “Nurses are the backbone of health care. You will be the eyes, ears and heart of your care teams. You will advocate, educate and care for patients in moments of celebration and in moments of grief. You will be the one they remember, not for how you charted, but for how you showed up … Know that you are ready, you are needed and you are capable of extraordinary things.”
Awards recognize student excellence
In addition to their pins, several students received special recognition during the ceremony for academic achievement, leadership and professional excellence.
The Senior Honors in Nursing Award celebrates exceptional performance in clinical practice and in the classroom, with honorees earning a 3.5 or higher GPA in required nursing courses. Congratulations to:
- Brielle Brick of Creswell (TBSN)
- Steele Burry of Portland (MEPN)
- Justin Hall of Milwaukie (ABSN)
The Professional Excellence in Nursing Award recognizes students who excel in leadership, scholarship and the human science of nursing. It is given to students who are critical thinkers, have excellent communication skills and show high levels of care, among other criteria. Congratulations to:
- Elsa Schuman-Lanier of Portland (MEPN)
- Jeremy Abe of Portland (ABSN)
- Jenna Wong of Kaneohe, Hawaii (TBSN)
The Wilma Pope Alumni Award honors a Good Samaritan nursing graduate and former educator in the Emanuel and Good Samaritan diploma schools of nursing (from which the Linfield School of Nursing evolved). Reserved for TBSN graduates, this award is given to a student who show high levels of caring, clinical competence, professionalism and leadership in student organizations. This year’s Wilma Pope Alumni Award recipient is Violet Strange of Newberg.
Capping off the student recognition was The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nursing Students. This national honor celebrates student nurses who demonstrate outstanding clinical care and deep compassion for patients and families. This Spring 2025 recipients are:
- Ray Anthony (MEPN)
- Jamie Calderbank of Corbett (ABSN)
- Hailie Lopez-Santiago of Beaverton (TBSN)
