Pinning & Recognition Ceremony for Class of 2025
In the spirit of commemorating the success of our 2025 graduates, Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) hosted its Pinning and Recognition Ceremony on May 16, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale First Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, Texas.
“Congratulations Baylor nurses! As these amazing students now embark on their professional journey the administration, faculty, staff, and alumni of the LHSON are incredibly proud,” said Linda Plank, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, Dean, LHSON. “Whether the new graduates realize it or not, they have chosen a noble and vital profession that requires immense dedication and compassion. And I have no doubt that each one will rise to the challenge, bringing their unique talents and perspectives to their practice, and making a positive difference in the world of healthcare.”
Highlighting the day, the LHSON shared several special recognitions. The Learn.Lead.Serve. Award was presented by Dean Plank to two students who most exemplified the core mission of the Baylor LHSON: Ryan Gabriel Esparza, Traditional Track; and Caroline Wilkerson, FastBacc®.
The second recognition included the 2024-2025 Student Daisy Awards presented to the following recipients: Chandler Ann Alvarez, Traditional Track; Angelica Reyes, FastBacc Track; and Jeffrey Howard, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Program (APRN). Dr. Plank also awarded the 2024-2025 Faculty Daisy Award winners to Brittany Butler, Undergraduate and Diaz Clark, Graduate.
The next recognition was an award given to the students who developed and implemented the most Outstanding Student Translational Research Project. This award is recognized through the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Foundation and is presented to a senior nurse or team of anesthesia student/resident from a nurse anesthesia program. The Award recognizes the student’s/resident’s work in research and commitment to the profession of nursing anesthesia to advance the art and science of anesthesia. The Spring 2025 Outstanding Student Translational Research Project Award was given to CPT Inga Burkhart, CPT Laura Cyr, CPT Suwaro Gassama, and CPT Jillian Heide, for their project: “Retrospective Analysis of the Effectiveness of Sublingual Sufentanil in Adult Patients Undergoing Orthopedic, Otolaryngology or Oral Maxillofacial Surgery.”
The Second Spring 2025 AANA Foundation 2025 award was the Program Administrator’s Outstanding Student Scholarly Project Award, established in 2016, and presented to a senior nurse anesthesia student, or a group of students, and recognizes the student’s scholarly impactful work through evidence-based projects that advance anesthesia care. The Spring 2025 Program Administrator’s Outstanding Resident Research Project Award was given to CPT Jayden B. Hammond and CPT Frank A. Parkinson, for their project: “Implementing a TEG® 6s Algorithm for Trauma Surgery at a Military Treatment Facility: An Evidence Based Project”
This next award was sponsored by the LHSON United States Army Program and is specific to a student’s operational readiness. The “Jim Reed Award for Clinical and Operational Excellence” is awarded to the student that best exemplifies the critical thinking and adaptability needed for the battlefield nurse anesthetist. The Spring 2025 Jim Reed Award for Clinical and Operational Excellence was given to CPT Colton Whitehouse.
The final award recognition was given to the student who developed and implemented the most Outstanding DNP Project. The faculty reviewed all projects and selected the one that best represented the applications of leadership and systems process improvement to impact the care and outcomes of patients. The Spring 2025 Outstanding DNP-APRN Project Award was given to Abigail Devine for the project titled: “Early Detection of Perinatal Mood Disorders Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).”
Further recognition included the Highest Ranking for the Spring 2025 Graduating Class (Traditional & FastBacc ®). Congratulations to Caroline Tibbetts, Traditional student, with a nursing school GPA of 3.95 and Erin Jorgensen FastBacc® student, with a nursing school GPA of 3.93.
During this festive occasion, nursing students received their nursing school pin and cords prior to Baylor University Commencement in Waco. Each pin is distinctive; and for the nurse, it also symbolizes honorable completion of a rigorous and physically demanding nursing program. The cords signify membership into Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and for the Baylor Student Nurses Association.
The class addresses were given by: Savannah Long for the Traditional Track; Agnes Bus-Kwofie for FastBacc; Major Luke Scipioni for USAGPAN and Elijiah Treto, for APRN.
The presentation of Undergraduate Traditional pins were presented by Dr. Lisa Jones, Associate Dean for Pre-Licensure Programs; FastBacc pins were presented by Dr. Beth Hultquist, Clinical Associate Professor and Graduate pins and hoods were presented by Dr. Deborah Shirey, Associate Dean for Online Graduate Program & Clinical Associate Professor. In addition, USAGPAN pins and hoods were presented by Lieutenant Colonel Lisa Post, USAGPAN Deputy Director.
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In closing the ceremony offered a Blessing of the Hands given Dr. Sahr Mbriwa, Chaplain, LHSON. The special message represented the blessing of our nurses to be the hands of Jesus to bring comfort and healing to those they care for, and a dedication to a ministry of caring. The memorable day concluded with a group of graduating seniors who led the audience in singing “That Good Old Baylor Line.”
To view event photos click here.