Goldsboro, N.C. – Wayne Community College (WCC) celebrated the accomplishments of its Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) graduates during a heartfelt pinning ceremony that honored both their academic success and their calling to care.
Held on campus, the ceremony marked a rite of passage for 29 nursing graduates, each of whom received a pin, a scroll, and a single red rose from faculty members. The pin design has been carried on since 1973, crafted by WCC’s first graduating ADN class, and symbolizes the enduring legacy of the college’s nursing tradition.
“You have worked hard, and that work has paid off today,” said Michelle Garon, WCC Nursing Department Chair. “We’re proud to welcome you to the ranks of over 2,200 nursing alumni who have walked this path before you.”
Class president Laura Grace Wade reflected on the deep bonds formed among the graduates throughout their journey. “Over time, through long nights, tough exams, and clinical rotations, we became more than classmates; we became a family,” she said. “Nursing takes heart and skill—it’s a calling, not just a career.”
The pinning ceremony included a lamp-lighting ritual and a recitation of the Florence Nightingale pledge, reinforcing the profession’s deep-rooted values of service and compassion. Female graduates wore the traditional nurse’s cap exclusive to WCC’s ADN program, featuring a distinctive black stripe—a symbol of their transition to registered nurse status, also reflected on the sleeves of male graduates.
WCC Nursing Instructor Bryan Johnson applauded the class’s resilience and grit. “Throughout the last two years, our graduates have overcome extraordinary challenges with determination, courage, and resilience,” he said. “Their journey has been marked by sacrifice, hard work, and countless hours of dedication.”
Three graduates received special recognition for academic and clinical excellence, with each awarded a monetary gift from the Foundation of WCC:
- Mary Wells earned the Theoretical Excellence Award for achieving the highest academic performance in the ADN program. Faculty praised her upbeat spirit and commitment to excellence.
- Tammy Price received the Clinical Excellence Award for outstanding performance in patient care during clinical training. Instructors noted her advocacy, compassion, and willingness to go above and beyond.
- Macy Mozingo was honored with the Outstanding Student Award for excelling in both academic and clinical components of the program. Faculty said she consistently demonstrated initiative, skill, and empathy in her work.
The Class of 2025 includes students from across Wayne County and surrounding areas:
Dudley: Karen Aguirre-Vargas, Abigail Cora Cox
Fremont: Leslie Paige Lanier
Goldsboro: Madison Alysse Blizzard, Elizabeth Brown, Kelly Lynn Edwards, Ericka Farrior, Anna Lee Freeman, Haley Phillips Gipson, Jayla Doris Holmes, Yuliana Elizabeth Mendez-Carrera, Lauren Claire Mercer, Macy Renee Mozingo, Alissa Grace Price, Elizabeth Lauren Romo, Leila Sanfo Barro, Connor Reed Wise, Bertha Rosibel Zamorano
La Grange: Mattie Rae Staps, Christine Marie Williams
Mount Olive: Jesmin Ramos, Mary Kathryn Wells
Pikeville: Amanda Noel Edens, Isaias Urbina
Seven Springs: Tammy Price
Smithfield: Natalie Brooke Casey, Karen Hernandez, Iris Paniagua-Canas
Walstonburg: Laura Grace Wade
WCC’s ADN program is a limited-entry, accredited program through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become licensed registered nurses in North Carolina.
To learn more about Wayne Community College’s nursing programs, visit www.waynecc.edu.
