The Class of 2026 marks the second cohort to graduate from the university’s four-year Bachelor of Science program. On May 20, the graduates were honored in a pinning ceremony in McCrary Theatre.
Speaking before soon-to-be Department of Nursing graduates, Cyra Kussman, assistant teaching professor of nursing, administered the students’ final — and likely easiest — pop quiz.
Kussman, who retired from Elon this year, asked the graduates whether they were ready to change the world, whether their families were ready for them to enter the nursing profession, whether the faculty were prepared to continue supporting and encouraging them, and whether the administration was ready to send them into the world. Each question was met with a resounding “yes.”
“Your career can grow with you. Shift with you. Support you. Again and again,” Kussman said. “And the answer is yes.”
Thirty-eight Bachelor of Science in Nursing students were honored during a May 21 pinning ceremony in McCrary Theater attended by faculty, staff, family members and friends. The tradition of the nursing pin dates back to the Middle Ages. However, modern nursing symbolism is often associated with Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, whose nurses were identified by the Maltese cross displayed on their uniforms.
“The world you are graduating into is complicated. Healthcare is changing. Systems are stressed and overwhelmed. And real trust is rare,” Kussman told graduates. “And that’s why you matter so much. Because when a patient is scared, they don’t ask for a flow chart, they don’t ask for a piece of paper — they ask for a nurse.”
In 2021, Elon launched both a traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and a 16-month accelerated program for students who had already completed a bachelor’s degree. The Class of 2026 marks the second cohort to graduate from the university’s four-year BSN program.
Taylor Girard ’26, who introduced Kussman during the ceremony, described her as a professor who “creates a learning environment where students feel supported, challenged and genuinely seen.” Kussman also reminded graduates of the “four Cs of nursing” emphasized throughout their time at Elon: competence, caring, communication and cultural awareness.
“Your patients may not remember the medications, they may not remember the procedures, but they will remember that kindness,” Kussman said. “And when they rang that bell, somebody showed up who knew what to do.”
Student speaker Maiah Giampietro ’26 reflected on the close bonds formed within the cohort and the importance of becoming “flexible, creative people,” a phrase students heard often throughout the program. That adaptability, she said, helped carry them through both the challenges and successes of nursing school.
“No shift goes exactly how you plan it. No patient is exactly like a textbook example. Rarely does anything work out exactly how you plan it,” Giampietro said. “But we are now equipped with the skills, the knowledge and the confidence to put plan B into action — whatever that may look like. This is what makes us ready.”
Following the presentation of pins, led by Kussman and Jeanmarie Koonts, assistant professor of nursing, graduates and registered nurses in attendance recited the Nursing Professional Oath, led by Elizabeth Tonaj ’26. Giampietro reflected on the significance of the pledge in her remarks.
“It represents the kind of nurses we have spent the last four years learning about,” she said. “The nurses who advocate. The nurses who listen. And the nurses who care even on the hardest of days. We are those nurses.”
As the ceremony concluded, Cathy Quay, chair of the Department of Nursing, reminded graduates of both the responsibility and impact of their profession.
“Our healthcare system needs you, our communities need you, our world needs you,” Quay said. “Because nursing, perhaps more than any other profession, holds the power to change lives.”
Department Awards
Academic Achievement Award: Allison Schult ’26
This award is presented to the students with the highest overall GPA and has a commitment to academic excellence.
Trailblazer Award: Victoria Whetstone ’26
This award is presented to a senior nursing student who exemplifies integrity, accuracy and innovative leadership. Nominated and voted on by students and faculty, the recipient shows outstanding leadership, listens and guides others, is dedicated to driving change, raising awareness of social justice issues, and fostering an equitable campus community.
Heart of the Cohort: Eamonn Gallagher ’26
This award is presented to a senior nursing student who inspires their peers and demonstrates a commitment to encouraging and supporting fellow students. Nominated and voted on by students, the recipient is known for their positive attitude, ability to motivate others, and perseverance throughout the program.
Phoenix Award: Allison Schult ’26
The Phoenix Award is given to a senior nursing student who excels in supporting peers and the Elon Department of Nursing throughout their program. Nominated and voted by students and faculty, the recipient demonstrates outstanding academic achievements, excellent character and interactions, active involvement in university organizations and significant community services, all while promoting the nursing profession and enhancing student life.
2026 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Graduates
Gia Agrawal
Gabrielle Carlson
Grace Dias
Leah Freeman
Jillian Freglette
Eamonn Gallagher
Maiah Giampietro
Taylor Girard
Skye Greene
Julianna Hood
Eva Korn
Meredith Korwan
Haley Kyle
Kalia Lilly
Amelia Loughlin
Kali Mahoney
Louisa Manthe
Jake Marion
Caroline McCormic
Emily McNamee
Olivia Minchello
Sara Morrison
Lauren Murray
Lauren Noble
Katherine O’Neill
Jenna Petrarca
Eva Rashkovsky
Katherine Richer
Julia Ricker
Lathan Rubant
Emily Sabad
Allison Schult
Alexandra Simon
Elizabeth Tonaj
Paris Van Dyke
Victoria Whetstone
Dylin Wilson
Alaina Witter