Atkinson Native Among Nurses Recognized During College of St. Mary Pinning Ceremony

SPECIAL EVENT — Jessica Pongratz of Atkinson was among the nursing students who attended the special event.

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OMAHA — College of Saint Mary (CSM) celebrated its annual Nurse Pinning Ceremony on July 20.  At the ceremony, each bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduate in the Class of 2019, including Jessica Pongratz of Atkinson, received a pin as a symbolic welcome into the nursing profession.  

Pinning is a time-honored tradition in the nursing field and every school designs its own special pin for its students. The pin for College of Saint Mary incorporates the shape of a cross and represents the virtues of loyalty, courage, knowledge, worthiness, constancy and truth.

Dr. Christi Glesmann, director of the nursing program at CSM, presided over the ceremony. Shelby Vejvoda ‘19 gave the student reflection. Amy Peck ‘19 led the invocation, and Whitney Turok ‘19 said the closing prayer. Dr. Maryanne Stevens, RSM, president of College of Saint Mary, delivered the closing remarks.

“I know each of you in this particular class will be successful,” said Dr. Stevens in her address to the graduates. “I also know that all nurses, especially those educated here at College of Saint Mary, demonstrate ‘the kind word, the gentle, compassionate look and the patient hearing of sorrows' emphasized by Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.”  

Nearly all 57 nursing students who graduated this summer attended the special event. During the ceremony, the nursing graduates also recited the nursing pledge. 

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