Pinning Ceremony Celebrates Transition of Nursing Students

Recognition Awards Presented

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, [email protected], 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) - Fourteen undergraduate nursing students received the Bowie State University Nursing Pin during the traditional Pinning Ceremony on Dec. 17, signaling their transition from a student nurse to a professional nurse as they prepare to receive their degrees on Thursday morning.

Chisom Divine Okongwu, graduating with a 3.5 GPA, is one of the nursing department's outstanding students. She received the Department of Nursing Peer Advocate Award and the Student of Distinction Award. The College of Professional Studies also presented her with the Change Agent Award. Okongwu is passionate about patient care and evidence-based practice and will begin her career as a nurse in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of MedStar Health.

"We're very proud of all of our students as they prepare to leave the university and apply the nursing skills they learned at Bowie State to real-world situations caring for patients," said Professor Jacqueline Hill, nursing department chair.

The American Nursing Association's Senior Vice President of Equity & Engagement, Katie Boston-Leary, provided remarks at the Pinning Ceremony.

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.