Berkeley College Nurse Pinning Ceremony Honors 22 Rising Healthcare Heroes
Monday, April 28, 2025
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
BERKELEY COLLEGE NURSE PINNING CEREMONY
HONORS 22 RISING HEALTHCARE HEROES
Photo Caption: (Left) Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN) graduates and (right) Practical Nurse graduates celebrate their nurse pinning ceremony at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, on Friday, April 18, 2025.
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The Berkeley College School of Health Studies honored a new cohort of healthcare heroes entering the workforce at a pinning ceremony for its nursing graduates on Friday, April 18, 2025, at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ. The ceremony, hosted by Master of Ceremonies Angelica Delacruz, DNP, CPNP-PC, RN, CNE, CHSE, Chair, Nursing, recognized 16 graduates of the College’s Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN) program and six graduates of the Practical Nurse program.
“The pin you will receive today is a symbol of your commitment,” said Patricia Greer, JD, Provost, Berkeley College. “This is a moment that marks the beginning of your professional calling.”
Christopher Doran, RN, CDP, Professor, Nursing, Berkeley College School of Health Studies, addressed the audience. “Be respectful, but question everything,” Doran said. “Be curious, but always ask questions. Do not deviate from standards for the sake of convenience. Be compassionate. Be brave. Be caring. We have been called to this career.”
BSN graduate Steven Alonzo of Tuxedo Park, NY, offered a moving speech to his cohort and their loved ones. A student, volunteer firefighter, and veteran combat medic in the U.S. Army, Alonzo brought a moving and passionate message to his constituents. “We will carry with us the weight of sacrifice and pillars of dedication,” Alonzo said. “Our war zones are hospital floors, our victories measured in lives saved. May we go forward with courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication – and, if we’re lucky, a little more sleep.”
Photo Caption: Practical Nurse graduate Brianna Beauchamp of Clifton, NJ, addresses her cohort at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, on Friday, April 18, 2025.
Brianna Beauchamp, Practical Nurse graduate speaker, echoed similar sentiments. “I see fighters, dreamers, and future nurses,” said Beauchamp, a resident of Clifton, NJ. “We’re still here. That alone is proof of how strong we are. We are ready.”
Debora La Torre, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, Professor, Nursing, Berkeley College School of Health Studies, presented the Daisy Award to graduates Alonzo and Jessica Carchi of Hackensack, NJ. The Daisy Award was created in memory of J. Patrick Barnes to acknowledge the care, support, and empathy shown by his nurses.
Photo Captions: (Left) Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate and U.S. Army veteran Steven Alonzo of Tuxedo Park, NY, receives the Daisy Award. (Right) Practical Nurse graduate Jessica Carchi of Hackensack, NJ, receives the Daisy Award at the nurse pinning ceremony at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ, on Friday, April 18, 2025. Pictured (L to R) next to Alonzo and Carchi are Camile Richards, RN, Professor, Nursing, Berkeley College School of Health Studies and Caterina Sousa, RN, FNP-C, Program Director, Master of Science in Nursing, Berkeley College School of Health Studies.
“The pinning ceremony has been part of the profession for as long as I can remember,” said Delacruz, to close the ceremony. “Besides stepping out of your comfort zone, an even bigger attribute comes to mind when speaking of this class – and that is kindness. I, along with the faculty, have witnessed you advocate for your peers. I have also seen you deal with your own personal struggles and have seen you pick yourself up and continue on. You are joining a profession that is full of heart.”
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans for 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.
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