Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia

Virginia Union University graduates proudly wear the Professional Social Worker Pin

Beverly Aurand, PhD, MSW, Associate Professor of Social Work at Virginia Union University, writes, “Here are our newly-pinned graduating seniors from the Virginia Union University’s Department of Social Work. We distributed the Professional Social Worker pins at our Spring Luncheon, with seniors, juniors and our field supervisors present. The students came up one by one, with their field supervisor, and each of our four faculty members shook their hands; one pinned them, and one presented them with a photo frame so that they could display the picture that we took of all of them.“This was the first year that we distributed the pins, and the students were very excited to receive them. Many of the students wore them on their robes at graduation.“Thank you so much for making the pins available to us at a cost that we could afford. We plan to continue to make them a part of our senior recognition event.”

Edinboro University

Donna Hixon, PhD, ACSW, Department Chairperson and BSW Program Director, pins Edinboro University social work graduates.

University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois

University of St. Francis MSW Dinner and Pinning Ceremony, April 12, 2008.

University of West Florida

The NASW Florida Chapter–Northwest Florida Unit’s University of West Florida BSW Convocation was held on April 17, 2008. The celebration included welcoming new graduates to the social work profession. To symbolize this transition, graduates were given a silver Professional Social Worker pin.

Youngstown State University Department of Social Work pinning ceremony for BSW and MSW graduating students.

"We held our Social Work Day to celebrate and provide social work pins to our graduating students.
 We called each student's name and had them come up on the stage.  All faculty was on the stage to give the pins.  The students loved their pins.  Thank you for having these pins available at a lower cost." - Shirley M. Keller, Ph.D. LISW, ACSW, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Youngstown State University and NASW Faculty Liaison (third from left).  Also pictured are BSW graduating students, MSW graduating students, faculty, and BSW and MSW Field Education Coordinators, with Pam Patton MSW, LISW, President of NASW-Ohio Chapter (front row second left) and Cynthia (Cindy) M. Webb, MSSA, LISW, Executive Director of NASW-OHIO Chapter (seventh from left).

Florida Atlantic University School
of Social Work

Michele Hawkins, PhD, MSW right, Director of the Florida Atlantic University School of Social Work, lights the candle of Pascale Brown, a graduating MSW student and President of Acolyte, the MSW student social work association.

Arlene Kaplan, PhD, Coordinator of Field Education Program at Florida Atlantic University writes, “On May 1, 2008, the faculty of the Florida Atlantic University School of Social Work held their 7th Annual Induction Ceremony to honor the 53 graduating MSW students. Along with warm welcome and congratulatory comments from university officials, one highlight of the evening was an inspiring keynote speech by Jackie Nash, MSW, LCSW, President of NASW Florida Chapter.

“The solemn candlelight induction and pinning ceremony included individual recognition of each graduate by Drs. Michele Hawkins and Elwood Hamlin, followed by a presentation to each student of the Professional Social Worker pin by Ms. Nash. Graduates recited the “Pledge to the Profession of Social Work” wherein they pledged their dedication and loyalty to carry on the traditions of social work. Following the ceremony, the graduates, their 270 guests, and faculty attended a reception in the graduates’ honor. Graduates stated they felt many emotions, including pride in their educational endeavors and amazement at how much they have learned through their studies and field placements.”