Southern Miss Gulf Park Celebrates Nursing Graduates at Pinning Ceremony
Tue, 08/25/2026 - 10:54am | By: Amber S. Scott
The School of Professional Nursing Practice in the College of Nursing and Health Professions (CNHP) recently celebrated its newest nursing graduates during a pinning ceremony
held Aug. 4 at the Fleming Center at Southern Miss Gulf Park in Long Beach, Miss.
The ceremony recognized 14 graduates of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) pathway and two graduates of the RN-BSN pathway. The ABSN graduates received their nursing pins and Nightingale Lamps of Learning,
while the RN-BSN graduates received their nursing pins, marking an important milestone
in their professional nursing journeys.
ABSN graduate Olivia Conger delivered the class address, while fellow ABSN graduate
Kendriana McCullum led the Nightingale Pledge.
Several graduates were also recognized for academic achievement, clinical excellence,
leadership and commitment to the nursing profession. Award recipients included:
- College of Nursing and Health Professions Dean’s Award: Arushi Kaur and McKenna Phillips
- College of Nursing and Health Professions Collegiate Nursing Award: Hasting Hitt
- Elizabeth C. Harkins Award: McKenna Phillips
- Jerri Laube-Morgan Award: Jennifer Collins
- Nursing Eagle Award: Madelyn Harris
- Bates-Sisemore Excellence in Maternal-Child Nursing Award: Alexandria Torres
- Spirit of Nursing Award: Arushi Kaur
- Art and Heart of Nursing Award: Olivia Conger and Denesha James
The pinning ceremony represents a longstanding tradition in nursing education and
celebrates graduates as they transition from students into the next stage of their
professional careers.
Through its nursing programs, Southern Miss continues to prepare graduates with the
knowledge, clinical experience and skills needed to serve patients and communities
throughout Mississippi and beyond. The accelerated BSN concentration provides an intensive
pathway for eligible students to earn their nursing degree in 12 months, while the
fully online RN-BSN concentration provides registered nurses an opportunity to advance
their education and earn a bachelor’s degree while continuing their careers.
The College of Nursing and Health Professions congratulates the newest graduates of
the School of Professional Nursing Practice and celebrates their commitment to advancing
health care through excellence in nursing.
Learn more about the College of Nursing and Health Professions.
About the College of Nursing and Health Professions
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at The University of Southern Mississippi prepares students for rewarding careers
in healthcare through innovative, evidence-based education and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Comprised of four academic units—the School of Health Professions, the School of Leadership
and Advanced Nursing Practice, the School of Professional Nursing Practice, and the
School of Speech and Hearing Sciences—the college offers a wide range of programs
in nursing, audiology, speech-language pathology, public health, athletic training,
recreational therapy, kinesiotherapy and other health-related disciplines. Through
exemplary academic programs and a commitment to student success, the college prepares
highly qualified professionals equipped to improve health outcomes and advance healthcare
at the local, state, national and global levels.