East Tennessee State University College of Nursing’s fall 2025 Hooding and Pinning Ceremony opened with a processional led by the Appalachian Highlands Nurses Honor Guard, marking the group’s first appearance at an ETSU ceremony. The processional was accompanied by live musicians Matthew Haagen on hammered dulcimer and Jonathan Brown on guitar. The Honor Guard then led graduates in reciting the Nightingale Pledge.
Although this was the first hooding and pinning ceremony attended by the Nurses Honor Guard at ETSU, they embody the heritage of service, compassion, and excellence that has defined nursing for generations. Clad in traditional white uniforms with capes and lamps reminiscent of Florence Nightingale, they set the tone for the rest of the ceremony.
Dr. Dena Evans, Dean of the College of Nursing, welcomed graduates and guests before inviting ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly D. McCorkle to offer remarks.
Evans then recognized distinguished students and welcomed this year’s College of Nursing Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, Alisa Hearl, to address the graduates. Hearl shared words of encouragement, reminding graduates, “You’ve become the kind of person who runs toward the need, not away from it, so continue to run forward with courage, compassion, and confidence.”
She concluded by affirming the graduates’ new role, “You are nurses. One patient, one moment, one heartbeat at a time, you will change your world.”
The ceremony concluded with a recessional led by the Appalachian Highlands Nurses Honor Guard, accompanied by live music from Haagen and Brown.
View photos from the ceremony here
