CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Thursday, May 7, Austin Peay State University’s School of Nursing hosted a drive-thru pinning ceremony for spring nursing graduates.

Pinning ceremonies are symbolic events welcoming graduates into their new professions. The tradition was established over 100 years ago by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

This year’s ceremony carried extra weight, with many students preparing to join the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to uphold CDC guidelines for social distancing, the School of Nursing hosted this year’s ceremony in the McCord parking lot on campus. Campus officials wore masks and gloves while students remained in their vehicles.

As part of the ceremony, students received a pin, a gift and any awards they might have received. 86 students received their pins, 66 having received their BSN and 20 receiving their RN-to-BSN

“We are so excited, even though COVID put a dent in a lot of our semester annual traditions. We wanted to do an outside, virtual drive-thru pinning to make things somewhat normal. We didn’t want to skip it or prolong it till August,” said Eve Rice Interim Director of the School of Nursing. “Just go out there, do what we trained you to do, be safe, stay healthy and make Austin Peay proud.”

“These students are graduating, they’ve achieved a milestone. The method in which we do it is not as important as the fact that we are celebrating their accomplishments, and I could not be more proud of them,” said APSU President, Dr. Alisa White. “Their going to do well throughout all sorts of crises they will face in the future.”

The same morning, across campus, APSU’s Medical Laboratory Science and Radiography programs also held pinning ceremonies. Students drove through to receive their pin, a gift and a certificate marking their achievements.

The School of Nursing also took the opportunity to thank APSU alumni working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of Americans.

“This is my eighth year at Austin Peay. I’ve taught over 500 students… I don’t have anything else to say except keep doing what you are doing, you’re making us proud and stay safe,” said Rice.

To learn more about APSU’s School of Nursing, click here.

To learn more about the Radiologic Technology program, click here.

For more information on the Medical Laboratory Science program, click here.