May 20, 2021 The Spring 2021 College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) 67 nursing candidates for graduation celebrated their achievements May 12 when they attended their nursing recognition and pinning ceremony. It is a time-honored ceremony that has CSM faculty welcoming their students as peers and colleagues in the field of nursing. Like much of their last year together – the cohort gathered in a virtual environment – this time to share the tradition that included speeches, photo collages and offering of the CSM Nursing pin. CSM Professor Robin Madera spoke first about the importance and history of the CSM nursing pin. She explained how the modern pinning ceremony dates to the 1860s, when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George in recognition for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, Nightingale in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates and by 1916, the practice of pinning new graduates was standard throughout the United States.