SIC Honors 2026 Nursing Graduates at Annual Pinning Ceremony
Southeastern Illinois College honored its newest class of nurses during the 2026 Nursing Pinning Ceremony held Thursday, May 14, at 4 p.m. in the Joseph Deaton Gymnasium. Family members, friends, faculty, and healthcare professionals gathered to celebrate Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) graduates as they received their nursing pins and prepared to begin their careers in healthcare.
The pinning ceremony is a longstanding nursing tradition symbolizing the transition from student to professional nurse. During the ceremony, graduates were pinned by nursing faculty and recited the Florence Nightingale Pledge together.
“This ceremony represents far more than completing a program,” said Dr. Emily York, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at SIC. “These graduates have shown resilience, compassion, and dedication through challenging clinical experiences and rigorous coursework. As healthcare continues to evolve, I encouraged students to remember the importance of listening, showing compassion, and truly seeing their patients.”
York reminded graduates that while technology continues to change healthcare, human connection remains one of the most important parts of nursing care.
“Our patients need healthcare providers who listen and make eye contact,” York said. “Nursing must continue to hold onto the compassion and authentic human touch that makes it one of the most trusted professions.”
The keynote address was delivered by Stacey Knight, BSN, RN, Behavioral Health Nurse Manager at Harrisburg Medical Center’s Mulberry Center and a former SIC nursing graduate and instructor. Knight reflected on her own nursing journey and encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, lead with compassion, and stay engaged in shaping the future of healthcare.
“Nursing is more than a job,” Knight told graduates. “It is one of the most meaningful professions a person can choose. Every day you will have opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life.”
During the ceremony, Practical Nursing students Sydney Farmer and Mary Beth Winkleman presented the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty to Will Soward. The award honors nursing educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication to students and the nursing profession. Soward was nominated by students who praised his encouragement, commitment, and willingness to invest in their success.
Students recognized for achieving a GPA of 3.25 or higher also received honors cords during the ceremony.
The following Associate Degree Nursing students were recognized during the ceremony: Mackensie Avery, Owen Butler, McKyla Coogan, Hailey Crowell, Hailey Culkin, Brittany Dutton, Sydney Farmer, Ashley Foster, Kenlee Grisham, Maddison Hepp, Adrian Hill, Addison Kittinger, Hailey McDowell, Jessica Miller, Megan Morgan, Katelyn Niehaus, Tanya Peterson, Emma Tauiliili, Hunter Throgmorton, Cierra Vos, Sidney Wheeler, and Caleigh Whiting.
The following Practical Nursing students were recognized during the ceremony: Braxtyn Baugher, McKenna Boon, Layla Borders, Jeni Browning, Isabelle Clarida, Jocelyn Dismuke, Hannah Farmer, Derrick Fitzpatrick, Brianna Fleeger, Ryne Hawkins, Adrianna Hendrix, Brandi Hineman, Mallory Hobbs, Brandon Jordan, Julia Keith, Joshua Lowe, Olivia Moore, Tiffany Musgrave, Ezekiel Narvasa, Hallie Kate Oldham, Zara Pinkston, Christy Pollard, Paige Potts, Madison Smothers, Callie Sturgal, Dayton Tharp, Kody Turner, and Reagan Vaughn, Mary Beth Winkleman, Jaci Wood, and Abby Zertuche.
SIC’s nursing programs continue a long tradition of preparing highly skilled healthcare professionals for southern Illinois and beyond. The college’s Practical Nursing program, established in 1955, was the first nursing program south of St. Louis at the time, while the Associate Degree Nursing program recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Applications for SIC nursing programs are due annually by Feb. 28 for fall admission, and several prerequisite courses must be completed prior to acceptance.
For more information about SIC’s nursing programs, contact Dr. Emily York, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, at 618-252-5400, ext. 2330, email nursing@sic.edu, or visit sic.edu/nursing.
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