Pinning Ceremony Renamed in Moran's Honor
Friends, family, faculty, and staff gathered for the Mary Moran Pinning Celebration on August 6, 2026, to welcome 155 Masters Direct Entry (MDE) students into the nursing profession.
Pinning recognizes students' commitment to nursing and symbolizes their preparedness to serve the health needs of society after completing the rigorous MDE program.
The annual ceremony's new title honors Mary Moran, MS '08, whose "unwavering commitment to nursing education, compassion, and the development of future nurses continues to inspire each graduating class." Moran, who taught and mentored students as a clinical instructor at Columbia Nursing for more than 25 years, passed away in 2025.
MDE program director Heidi Hahn-Schroeder, DNP, opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks. "As you move forward, remember that your Columbia education has provided you with a strong foundation, equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to excel in this field," she said. "However, never cease to be learners. Health care is a rapidly evolving field, and your commitment to lifelong learning will ensure that you remain at the forefront of innovations and advancements.
Vice dean of education Mary Hickey, EdD, offered a special message to the class on behalf of Dean Lorraine Frazier, PhD. "We are incredibly proud of your hard work, resilience, and commitment, and are excited for the impact that you will have on the lives of your patients, families, and communities," Hickey said.
Assistant professor Jeanne Churchill, DNP '10, spoke about the history of the pinning ceremony and the significance of the Columbia Nursing pin's design. "Wear your pin with pride, and remember you have been given the gift of being invited into your patients' and family's lives at their most vulnerable times," she said, adding, "I've been a nurse for 48 years, and there isn't a day that goes by that I ever regret my decision."
The MDE students then received their pins from an individual of their choice who supported them through their journey. Some were pinned by MDE faculty, while others invited family members or friends to provide this honor, a change introduced last year. (Watch the video).
Candice Smith, DNP, director of clinical placement, then offered a remembrance of Moran, "a nurse, a peer, a mentor, a friend, and an educator who gave so much of herself to everyone around her, including the students she taught."
Smith added: "Tonight as this cohort receives their pins, you carry a piece of her with you: her kindness, her honesty, her dedication, and her belief that showing up in community role is what nursing's all about." She closed the ceremony by leading the students in the Columbia School of Nursing Pledge.
