A Night of Firsts: Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Holds First Pinning Ceremony and Announces Alumni Advisory Board

The event recognized and celebrated second-year students dedicated to careers helping others communicate, as well as their families and alumni committed to student success.

The pinning ceremony is a long-standing tradition in which nursing students are pinned with emblems of the nursing profession and begin their new careers helping and healing others. This semester, Adelphi's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) decided to change this up by holding its first pinning ceremony acknowledging students beginning their second year of graduate study "for their dedication to CSD in building a sense of responsibility and camaraderie with regard to the clinical commitment they are making in the years to come in helping others communicate," said Hariklia Proios, PhD, professor and CSD chair.

"This event was created for students by students," she continued, "spearheaded by the Graduate Students Pinning Subcommittee."

More than 110 people attended, including the students being honored, their family and friends, faculty, staff, and alumni-and, another first-the newly established Alumni Advisory Board, which Dr. Proios said "Will be a renewable resource for all of our students, past and present."

A New Tradition Begins

The first to take the stage was Xiao-lei Wang, PhD, dean of the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences (CEHS). She highlighted Adelphi's commitment to students and alumni working toward their respective educational or career goals.

Dr. Proios, who served as the event host, addressed the students with what she referred to as "themes of optimism and resilience, that together anything is possible, aligning with our CSD mission statement: You Can, I Can, We Can, Create New CSD Futures!"

Kiera "Keke" Venza, a second-year graduate student, spoke eloquently about forging unbreakable bonds through supportive relationships with classmates at Adelphi. "She, alongside other pinning committee members, played pivotal roles mobilizing and sharing the vision that became our first pinning ceremony," said Dr. Proios.

Alumni Advisory Board members Joy Minkoff, MS '99; Paola Rodriquez, MS '23, and Angelea Allegretti, MS 'YR, each took the stage and shared her unique path from student to present day. Their presentations included photos from the past and present to show the different environments in which a career in communication sciences and disorders will take you.

Then the official pinning began. Dr. Proios announced each student by name. One by one, the students came to the stage and received their pins from Anne-Marie Skvarla, director of the Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders, and Angela Murphy, associate director of student success in field experiences for CEHS.

Dr. Proios thanked "all those who have made this journey and event possible," including Kerry Scalere and Barbara Clemens, CSD administrative assistants who helped organize and support this event; Stacey Barbato, director of operations for CEHS; Erik Swartz, PhD, CEHS vice dean and professor, for his unwavering support; the pinning subcommittee; and first-year CSD graduate assistants Lodwica Silva and Taylor Slicklein for volunteering their time to help.

"A special thank-you went out to all families and loved ones for standing by the side of our matriculating students as a source of strength throughout their journey," said Dr. Proios. "This event was as much for the students as it is for their families."

Steven Cox, PhD, associate professor and director of the CSD Graduate Program, gave the closing remarks, ending the evening with positivity.

"A new tradition was created from the vision, teamwork and commitment to our students," said Dr. Proios. "We are looking forward with excitement to the next pinning ceremony to continue the new tradition of honoring our own CSD future rising professionals."