WEST WINDSOR – With an Associate Degree and numerous opportunities before them, graduates of the Mercer County Community College (MCCC) Nursing program were urged to "keep going" at the Nursing Pinning Ceremony May 16 in Kelsey Theatre.

“I urge all of you tonight to think where will you go from here,” Dr. David Edwards, MCCC’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, told the graduates. “Don’t let your journey end here – let it begin.”

Director of Nursing Education Elizabeth Mizerek presided over the ceremony where 36 MCCC Nursing program graduates received their pins, a rite of passage for nurses that dates back to the Crusades of the 12th century to recognize the hard work required to treat the injured and the sick – the same hard work required today to obtain a Nursing degree.

“There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears in the degree that we have earned,” said Rebecca Hanaway, class valedictorian. “And we couldn’t have done it without the support of family and friends.”

In her address to graduates, MCCC President Dr. Jianping Wang praised the students for their commitment to their studies and their commitment to their chosen profession.

“As we gather tonight to celebrate accomplishments, you must remember the hardships you endured, the obstacles you overcame, and the sacrifices you made,” Wang said. “We salute you for your audacity to dream, and keeping your dreams alive through your perseverance and determination.”

In addition to the pinning ceremony, five special awards were given in recognition of outstanding performance. Adria Trapani-Barnacz received the HelenMarie Dolton Clinical Excellence Award; Katelyn McCarthy was the recipient of the Clara Lidz Nursing Leadership Award; the Nightingale Award went to James Buonanno; Jennifer Whitman received the MCCC Nursing Faculty Award; and valedictorian Rebecca Hanaway received the Academic Excellence Award.

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