- WHEN:
Friday, August 8, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.
Doors open at 8:00 a.m.; students and pinners report to their assigned rooms by 8:15 a.m.; all others are seated by 8:45 a.m.; processional at 9:00 a.m. - WHERE:
University Auditorium
333 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611 - Livestream link: Click here
- ACTIONS FOR BSN GRADUATING SENIORS:
- ORDER YOUR PIN – The deadline to order was noon on June 4th. An email with instructions was also sent directly to the graduates.
- RSVP FOR PINNING & RECOGNITION CEREMONY – Use the Student RSVP Form below. The deadline was June 4th at noon (EST).
- ORDER REGALIA – CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS – The deadline to order with standard shipping is June 27th.
- PLAN TO ATTEND REHEARSAL – Dates and times are set for August 4th at 1:30 PM for Jacksonville students (at the Jacksonville campus), and August 6th at 1:30 PM for Gainesville and RN-BSN students (at the Gainesville campus, HPNP Auditorium).
- INFORM YOUR GUESTS – Share the date, time, and location of the ceremony with your guests so they can mark their calendars. There will be a limit of three guests per student for the Summer 2025 Pinning ceremony.
- Parking will be available in Garage 4, on the corner of Newell Drive and Museum Road. Please see instructions with parking and walking maps here for students, pinners, and guests.
- Please note that guests will have to walk a short distance (estimated 8 minutes) from the garage to the University Auditorium. If you have guests attending unable to walk that distance, please plan to drop them off at the entrance of the University Auditorium.
- HOW DO THE SEPARATE CEREMONIES RELATE TO EACH OTHER:
- PINNING & RECOGNITION CEREMONY – This is a COLLEGE CEREMONY welcoming graduating seniors to the profession of Nursing, specifically for Nursing undergraduates to mark their transition into the Nursing profession, hosted by the College of Nursing. It is NOT the Commencement (aka – Graduation) Ceremony. Students will each have their names called, walk across the stage, be pinned, and have a photo taken by the official UF Photographer (available for purchase at a later date). Academic regalia is required.
- COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY (aka – Graduation) – This is a UNIVERSITY CEREMONY (the ONLY GRADUATION CEREMONY for undergraduates) – The Commencement Ceremony is hosted by the Office of the President. It is the graduation ceremony, where a nationally recognized speaker participates, individuals are recognized during the summer, academic regalia is required, and a degree is conferred by the UF President.
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 GRADUATES
ATTIRE – ACADEMIC REGALIA REQURIED to participate in this event. Stoles and cords are also encouraged.
CHECK-IN – All participating students and guest pinners MUST arrive to their designated rooms by 8:15 a.m. on Friday, August 8th.
Personal belongings (like purses) must be left with a guest. You will not be allowed to pick up your pin if you bring them.
Phones must be silenced and kept in your pocket. Your hands must be free during the ceremony.
Pin and name card pickup will occur during check-in.
GUEST INFORMATION
Tickets will be required for entry and is limited to three guests per student.
Guest seating: Please be seated in the University Auditorium by 8:45 a.m.
Student recess: At the ceremony’s conclusion, students will exit the building completely.
Meeting spot: Please arrange a designated meeting location with your student prior to the ceremony, as student-guest interaction will not be permitted during the event.
Accessibility: The venue is ADA accessible. Assistance with wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers is available upon request from an usher.
PARKING
Parking will be available in Garage 4, on the corner of Newell Drive and Museum Road. Please see the map attached in the instructions above.
For questions regarding the Pinning Ceremony, please contact:
