The University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana will honor graduating students from the Licensed Practical Nursing Program with a special nurse pinning ceremony on Wednesday, May 13, at 6:00 p.m. in the Hempstead Hall Theater.
The nurse pinning ceremony is a time-honored nursing school tradition. Often more personally meaningful than the graduation ceremony, it signifies a student’s official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses. The ceremony is rich with symbolism. The history of this rite of passage dates back to the Crusades of the 12th century. During this time, the Knights of the Order of the Hospital of St. John the Baptist tended to injured and infirm Crusaders. When new monks were initiated into the order, they vowed to serve these sick soldiers in a ceremony in which each monk was given a Maltese cross, the first badge given to those who nurse.
The modern ceremony dates back to the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition of her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she, in turn, presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. By 1916, the practice of pinning new graduates was standard throughout the U.S.
All nursing pins are unique. The UAHT pin was designed in 1966 by Hazel Underwood, the first program director and instructor of the Practical Nursing Program. The cross on the UAHT pin traces back to the Knights who cared for the Crusaders. The state of Arkansas represents our home, and the circle represents the life cycle from birth to death and birth anew.
The public is invited to attend this special event to honor these graduating nurses as a symbol of the care and devotion they will provide to the sick and the hope they will offer in the practice of nursing.
For more information or to apply for the Hope campus LPN program, visit https://www.uaht.edu/news/lpn-app-hope-deadline-2026.php today. The application deadline is May 1, 2026, by 4:30 p.m.
Pictured: Front Row left to right: Kiana Graham, Dayhanara Santamaria, Niesha Wright, Skylar Schooler, Yahir Jimenez
Back Row left to right: Malaijah McClenton, Addison Herron, Kelli Haba, Leightyn Hillery, Tracy Morris, Charisse Sanchez, Christian Martinez, Arrieon Moore