Celebrating Pinning & Recognition - December 2025
In the spirit of commemorating the success of our 2025 graduates, Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) hosted a Pinning and Recognition Ceremony on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. at Sunnyvale First Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, Texas. Graduating students were from the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (DABSN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program. The Invocation was given by Dr. Deborah Shirey, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Clinical Associate Professor and the Welcome and Recognition of Awards was presented by Dr. Linda Plank, Dean and Clinical Associate Professor.
“Congratulations Baylor nurses! We are honored to celebrate this significant moment in the lives of our graduates. 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 and Clinical Associate Professor, LHSON.
Highlighting the day, award recognitions included: Learn.Lead.Serve Dean's Awards to Shane Joseph, Traditional track and Araceli Alvidrez, DABSN track. The second recognition were the DAISY Awards which stands for “Diseases Attacking the Immune System.” This year’s recipients of the Student DAISY Awards were Gavin Gagucas, Traditional Track; Keshna Collins and Mahala Griffin-Halvorson, DABSN and Ron Woita, DNP Executive Nurse Leader (ENL) program track. The DAISY Faculty Awards were presented to Dr. Brooke Browder, Undergraduate and Dr. Shirley Marion, Graduate. The Fall 2025 Outstanding DNP-NNP Project Award was presented to Jodie McCraw for the project titled, “Evidence Meets Practice: Ensuring Safe Feeding Tube Placement in Neonates (NNP).”
Further recognition included the Highest Ranking Nursing School GPA for the Traditional track. The outstanding student at the LHSON who deserves congratulations for her impeccable academic success is Rachel Braswell with a 3.91 GPA. In addition, distinguished honor students included: Rachel Braswell, Magna Cum Laude; Kayla Hofshi, Cum Laude; Rachel Ham, Cum Laude and Madison Lane, Magna Cum Laude. In addition, the highest GPA for the DABSN track went to Allison Scott with a 3.94 GPA.
During this festive celebration week, 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. Dr. Brandy Brown, Clinical Associate Professor, gave Sigma Induction remarks.
The Traditional track class address was given by Becca Hannan followed by the presentation of Undergraduate pins announced by Dr. Beth Hultquist, Clinical Associate Professor. The DABSN class address was given by Heather Reilly, followed by the presentation of Undergraduate pins announced by Dr. Ethany Howden, Clinical Associate Professor and DABSN Coordinator. The APRN class address was given by Harley Berning, followed by Graduate pins and hoods presented by Dr. Deborah Shirey, Associate Dean for the Online Graduate Program and Clinical Associate Professor.
The ceremony continued and offered a Blessing of the Hands given by Dr. Deborah Petty, Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Clinical Associate Professor. 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 closing remarks by Dr. Lisa Jones, Associated Dean for Pre-Licensure Program and Clinical Associate Professor and a group of graduating seniors who led the audience in singing, “That Good Old Baylor Line.”
To view photos, click here.