NEWBURGH – Mount Saint Mary College recently held a pinning ceremony for 31 adult accelerated program nursing graduates.
Fr. Kevin E. Mackin, OFM, president, gave an invocation and blessed the pins, which were presented to the graduates by chosen family members and friends.
The Mount Saint Mary College nursing pin contains the college’s motto, "doce me veritatem," which translates as "teach me the truth."
Mount professors Jill Brennan-Cook and Andrea Ackerman offered the graduates words of encouragement and advice.
The newly-minted nurses recited "A Nurse’s Prayer," which speaks of dedicating one’s life to helping others.
Although that part of life has just begun, "It’s been a long, rough road," mused Tammy Sherry of Wallkill, who was pinned by her mother and daughter. Sherry described the Mount’s nursing program as "difficult, but rewarding and worth it."
Graduate Joseph Brooks of New Paltz, who was one of two student speakers, added, "I’m proud to be part of a college that has prepared us so well for our future and our upcoming careers."
Jennifer Maloy of New Paltz, the second student speaker, dedicated her pin to "my wonderful husband Frank, and my beautiful children, Sophie and Lucas."
Lissette Del Toro of Middletown dedicated her pin to "my loving husband, Mom, Dad and Abuela for giving me the love and support I needed to get through this journey."
George Hughes of the Bronx dedicated his pin to "God Almighty for making this all possible," and to his family "for their prayers."
Seiba Jones of the Bronx was pinned by her cousin, Fatu Farl. Donald Eberhardt, Jr. of Danbury, Conn. was pinned by his mother, and dedicated his pin to his family "for their support during this adventurous journey."
The nursing graduates are: Ashly Abraham of Spring Valley; Valerie Andryshak of Goshen; Jessica Biegel of Westford; Joseph Brooks of New Paltz; Anne Michelle Bullicer of New Windsor; Amanda Cranmer of Poughkeepsie; Pamela Delano of Brentwood; Lissette Del Toro of Middletown; Donald Eberhardt, Jr. of Danbury, Conn.; Jonathan Gallin of Olive Bridge; Ashley Higgins of LaGrangeville; George Hughes of the Bronx; Catherine Jackson of Middletown; Victoria Johnson of Newburgh; Seiba Jones of the Bronx; Kathleen Kelly of Poughkeepsie; Jennifer Maloy of New Paltz; Audra Mancuso of Westtown; Alexa Markiewicz of Kingston; Dorisah Nelson of Nyack; Beth O’Brien of Carmel; Lisa O’Flaherty of Middletown; Nichole Perez of the Bronx; Jennifer Peterson of Westtown; Shelly Scott of Garrison; Tamara Seney of Newburgh; Tammy Sherry of Walden; Eric Steins of Newburgh; Raven Strange of Fishkill; Sady-Ann Sutherland of New Windsor; and Jennifer Zenz of Cold Spring.
The nationally accredited nursing program at Mount Saint Mary College boasts a high NCLEX-RN passage rate that consistently outperforms the state average.
