- WHEN:
Friday, May 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
Doors open at 9:00 a.m.; graduates report to Fackler Foyer West by 9:15 a.m.; all others are seated by 9:45 a.m.; processional at 10:00 a.m. - WHERE:
Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
3201 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL (on the campus of the University of Florida) - ACTIONS FOR BSN GRADUATES:
- Order your pin according to our PIN ORDER INSTRUCTIONS. The deadline to order is extended to February 15, 2023 at noon EST.
- If you plan to participate in the ceremony, but do not plan to order a pin, please note that you may either be “pinned” with just a ribbon or you may bring your own pin to the ceremony and affix it to the ribbon at the event check-in.
- RSVP online, using the form below on this page, with your plans to attend by February 27, 2023.
- Order your pin according to our PIN ORDER INSTRUCTIONS. The deadline to order is extended to February 15, 2023 at noon EST.
- HOW DOES THIS CEREMONY RELATE TO COMMENCEMENT:
- The Pinning & Recognition Ceremony is a professional ceremony specifically for Nursing undergraduates to mark their transition into the Nursing profession, hosted by the College of Nursing, and sponsored by the UF College of Nursing Alumni Council. Assuming there are no health & safety restrictions (none are currently anticipated), the candidates will each have their names called and walk across the stage to be pinned by members of our Alumni Council, which does NOT happen at the Commencement Ceremony in the spring. Professional (business) attire is expected. White coats are preferred, but not required. Academic regalia is not suitable.
- The Commencement Ceremony is a graduation ceremony for all University of Florida undergraduates, hosted by the Office of the President. It is the graduation ceremony, where a nationally recognized speaker participated, academic regalia is required and a degree is conferred.
MAY 5, 2023
SPRING 2023 POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE CELEBRATION
In addition to the Pinning & Recognition Ceremony, we are planning a Pomp & Circumstance Celebration immediately following the Pinning & Recognition Ceremony, in the Phillips Center for Performing Arts. During this celebration, graduates will don their Regalia and be led back into the theatre to process onto the stage once more. Your name will be announced as you cross the stage, receive congratulations from Dean McDaniel and have a photo taken by an official UF graduation photographer. If you plan to participate in this optional activity, please let us know in your RSVP form below, for the Pinning & Recognition Ceremony. In order to participate, you are required to RSVP by the deadline and bring your own regalia. You must have regalia to participate – refer to information from the separate UF Commencement website for ordering information and TBD February deadline (UF, instead of the College of Nursing) is the source of your information for regalia and commencement).
History
The concept of the nursing pin dates back to the Crusades when the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem displayed the Maltese Cross on their uniforms. Following the Crusades, some of the Crusaders noted the excellent nursing care provided by the Hospital of Saint John and decided to join the nursing group. Over the centuries, various schools and craft guilds adopted symbols to use on buttons, badges or shields to represent their training, wisdom, strength, courage and faith.
In 1880, Florence Nightingale chose the Maltese cross as the badge to be worn by the graduates of her first school of nursing. As the profession of nursing developed, each school chose a unique pin to be awarded to students completing their programs. The pin then became a public symbol of excellence worn on nurses’ uniforms. Often, the pins first were put on at a “pinning” ceremony during graduation activities.
Graduates continue to purchase their colleges’ pins to wear after graduation. The unique pin provides an outstanding way to display pride in achievements and easily identifies each nurse’s alma mater to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
BSN Graduate Candidate Check-In
Participating candidates MUST REPORT to Fackler Foyer West, located in the west wing of the Curtis M. Phillips, M.D. Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) no later than 9:15 a.m. on May 5. All personal items (including phone, purse, etc.) should be left with your guest(s) prior to reporting to Fackler Foyer West, or you will not be permitted to pick up your pin. You will pick up your pin during the check-in process in Fackler Foyer West, prior to the Pinning Ceremony on May 5.
Guest Information
Tickets are NOT needed for admission. Guests MUST be seated in the CPA Auditorium no later than 9:45 a.m. At the conclusion of ceremony, grads will recess all of the way out of the building. Please arrange a “meeting spot” with graduate candidate/guests prior to the ceremony, as candidates will not be permitted to carry a cell phone with them during the ceremony. The venue is ADA accessible. At this time, we do NOT anticipate using tickets for admission.
Attire
Pinning & Recognition Ceremony – Professional attire is expected to participate in this ceremony, which marks a milestone in the transition to your professional career. You are encouraged to also wear your white coat, but it is optional. Academic regalia is not suitable for this ceremony.
Ladies: please note that you are being pinned so should you choose to wear a dress with thin straps, pair it with a cardigan or cover-up (or white coat) so that there is sufficient material to affix the pin. Also, remember that you will be walking up steps and across an elevated stage, so please wear shoes with a professional heel height and skirts/dresses of appropriate length.
Pomp & Circumstance Ceremony – participants MUST provide their own academic regalia to wear atop their attire from the Pinning & Recognition Ceremony. Additional details will be forwarded to participants prior to the event.
Parking
UPDATED INFORMATION – Participating graduates and their guests may park in the SURFACE LOT & parking garage at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts located off Hull Road (near the intersection of SW 34th Street and Hull Road). Decal restrictions are lifted on the day of the event. Gated, ADA spots or spots reserved for a specific individual tag are still enforced.
Faculty RSVP Form for Pinning
Faculty are encouraged to attend to celebrate the pinning of our BSN soon-to-be-graduates. Please RSVP by March 31 with your plans to attend.
Please be seated on stage not later than 9:45 a.m.
RSVP Form - Pinning Ceremony
For questions regarding the Pinning Ceremony, please contact:
