History of the Nursing Pin
Traditionally, each school of nursing has its own distinct pin. The pin for the University of Wisconsin—Madison School of Nursing was planned in 1926, since it was to be worn by members of the first graduating class the next year, The design, submitted by a firm, was selected by a committee of five: Miss Helen Denne, director of the school, Miss Lila Fletcher, superintendent of nurses, Miss Christina Murray, instructor in the school, Dr. Robin Buerki, hospital superintendent, and Dr. Joseph Evans, of the Medical School staff.
Apparently, a contest was held for the best design. Interestingly, the design selected bears a strong resemblance to a British medal, Order of the Royal Red Cross, awarded to Miss Denne, who served as a Canadian military nurse overseas in World War I. The medal was given to the School of Nursing after Miss Denne’s death.
The School of Nursing pin consists of three parts: The Cross Pattee, representative of nursing; the Caduceus, symbolic of medicine and healing; and the seal of the University, signifying the educational setting of the School.
Tradition of Promise
The pin of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing, designed in 1926, symbolizes a proud tradition of service. Each year, select pins are passed on from a past graduate to a new graduate as a sign of the recipient’s achievement and future promise.
“I am so honored to donate my pin to Raquel. I look forward to watching her progress in her career. UW–Madison was the best springboard for my career. You must take risks and advance in the direction of your dreams. Be kind, give back, and mentor–then the cycle begins again.”
Stephanie Swartz '74
NAO Pin Recipients & Donors
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2023
Pin Recipients:
Cassandra Bauer
Judy Chen
Yesenia Gamero
Annaly Garcia
Danielle Nicole Harris
Paige Danielle Henry
Jamie Anne Hernandez
Anna Eleanor Hinz
Karl Hummel
Abigail MaryJoy Joseph
Angie Li
Emily J. Mauerman
Kiana Elizabeth Montalvo
Hannah Park
Annika Leigh Vaerst
Lauren Ashley Wightman
Ariana Yar
Pin Donors:
Shari Paulus Diehl ’78
Elaine Stecker-Kochanski ’69
Jane Weinstein Rosenfeld ’68
Karen Breitzke Walter ’60
Sandy Laedtke ’71
Sonja Nealis ’74
Elaine Hrupka Williams, Cert ’51, ’52
Michelle Byrne ’79, MS ’86
Barbara Brown ’71
Mary Kay Gardenier ’70, MS ’81
Mary Dowds ’97
Charlotte Pagel Anderson ’59
Malissa Wightman ’97
Helen Ritzler ’55
2022
Pin Recipients:
Raquel Burnham
Maica Ho
Chaya Miller
Chinaza Nwosa
Rey Okoene
David Sohl
Ashley Thomas
Max Wuest
Nancy Yang
Pin Donors:
Stephanie Swartz ’74
Nancy Dextrom ’66
Jane Jordan Farrell ’61
Eileen Smit ’69, MS ’77
Molly Meyer ’71
Cathryn Eckberg ’71
Mary Moat CERT ’77, MS ’82
2021
Pin Recipients:
Noor Bontz
Michaela Ginter-Powers
Katie Kalvelage
Mariah Larson
Eric Schiller
Kayla Siok
Sara Thao
Bryce Trimberger
Kayla Van Boxtel
Pin Donors:
Joan Bachhuber ’75
Edna Johnson Luckow ’52
Ruth Drye ’66
Nancy Oldenburg ’74
Sally (Martalock) Wangsness ’63
Jeanne (Culter) Appelbaum ’76
Susan Curtis ’86
2020
Pin Recipients:
Laura Block
Hannah Bonneville
Emily Hanna
Sirirothnak Seng
Dallas Prockl
Pin Donors:
Nancy Seegers Schaper Cert ’57, ’57
Mary Huseth Black Cert ’57, ’70
Cheryl Donkle ’74
2019
Pin Recipients:
Alex Dudek
Guisella Medrano
Aniqueka Jamie Scott
Grace Stewart
Pa Ying Vang
Pin Donors:
Betty Putzi ’58
Nancy Stone Davis ’63
Nancy Watts ’67
Learn More About the Pin Recipients & Donors
Nurses Alumni Organization Honors Outstanding Members of Class of 2022
The School of Nursing is proud to honor nine graduates with nursing pins, presented by the Nurses Alumni Organization. Meet the NAO 2022 Pin Recipients!
Nurses Alumni Organization Honors Nine Pin Recipients in Class of 2021
The School of Nursing is proud to honor nine graduates with nursing pins, presented by the Nurses Alumni Organization. Meet the NAO 2021 Pin Recipients!
Five Honored as 2020 NAO Pin Recipients for Leadership, Service, and Achievement
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing honored five graduates with nursing pins presented by the Nurses Alumni Organization (NAO) on May 6.
Contact
Connect With the Nurses Alumni Organization
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization (UW NAO) was founded in 1927 shortly after the first class graduated from the School of Nursing. All School of Nursing graduates become members upon graduation or certificate completion.
Jordan Langer
Position title: Alumni Relations Officer
Email:
jlanger3
Phone: 608-262-1179
Address:
5173 Signe Skott Cooper Hall