Niagara University’s College of Nursing honored 70 graduating students during its annual pinning ceremony in the university’s Gallagher Center on May 16, 2025.
During the event, which included a gathering song performed by Niagara University alumni Gabrielle Iacona, ’20, and Ryan Henneberger, ’22; opening and closing prayers offered by the Rev. Gregory Semeniuk, C.M., vice president for mission integration; a welcome by Alycia Cramer, director of undergraduate nursing education; and reflections and remarks by the Rev. James Maher, C.M., Niagara University president, and Dr. Christine Verni, dean of the College of Nursing, the graduates received pins signifying academic achievement, scholarly learning, professional dedication, and Christian commitment. The pins acknowledge entry into the nursing profession and have been worn by more than 4,000 NU nurses.
Following the blessing of the pins, the students crossed the stage to receive their pins from family, friends, and faculty. Mikayla Robinson, a student in the college’s accelerated program, received her pin from her grandmother, L. Jeanne (Burns) Argy, an alumna from the college’s Class of 1952 and a nurse for 73 years, who wore her purple NU nursing cape.
The students’ hands were also anointed and blessed as a symbolic welcome into the nursing profession.
Several students in both the traditional and accelerated programs were recognized with special awards during the ceremony, as well.
Joshua Depoty, a student in the traditional program, was selected for the ANA-New York Future Nurse Leader Award, which recognizes new graduates who, as nursing students, display strong leadership abilities.
Vincentian Spirit Awards were given to Lance Lustig (accelerated program) and to Makayla D’Albano (traditional program). Nana Ama Sekyere (accelerated program) and Ariana Zapata (traditional program) received Resilience in Nursing Awards. Samantha Herran (accelerated program) and Jenna Snieszko (traditional program) were recognized for having the highest GPAs (4.0 and 3.99, respectively) in their programs with Dean’s Awards.
DAISY Awards for Extraordinary Nursing Students were given to Daisy Rochez (accelerated program) and Damion Lattimer (traditional program). The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educator was given to associate professor Dr. Theresa Puckett. These awards were established by the DAISY Foundation as part of its service to the nursing profession’s role in patient care.
Watch WGRZ’s story on Mikayla and her grandmother here.
