{"id":218071,"date":"2022-05-11T15:32:18","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T19:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=218071"},"modified":"2022-05-17T08:33:48","modified_gmt":"2022-05-17T12:33:48","slug":"nursing-grads-rock-the-today-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/05\/11\/nursing-grads-rock-the-today-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Nursing Grads Rock The Today Show"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe title=\"Video: Graduating Students Take Nursing School Pledge On TODAY Plaza\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p9wuaY5IuWI?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen style=\"width: 500px; height: 281px; border: 0px solid #000;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This year\u2019s graduates of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/nursing\/4-year-bsn\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">four-year bachelor\u2019s in nursing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> program experienced a once-in-a-lifetime graduation moment on Wednesday, May 11: a special, live Pinning Ceremony on NBC\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.today.com\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Today Show<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> as part of the program\u2019s Nurses Week coverage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The program\u2019s 22 graduates, nursing faculty and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ President Jonathan Koppell appeared on the national broadcast, which is seen by more than three million people each morning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Set against the backdrop of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Today Show<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Plaza in Rockefeller Center, the Red Hawks received their nursing pins in a ceremony befitting an extraordinary college experience \u2013 one that included them participating in the vaccine initiative \u2013 that took place amid a global pandemic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">But that wasn\u2019t all the program had in store. As part of the event, students received special gifts including espresso machines and sneakers to wear on the job; and, to cap the unforgettable morning, event sponsor Johnson &amp; Johnson honored the School of Nursing and its students with a $15,000 donation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday was truly a special moment for our students, the School of Nursing, and for Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ,\u201d said Koppell. \u201cThis ceremony was a testament to all they have accomplished, and all they will continue to achieve as they enter the healthcare industry. We also want to thank Johnson &amp; Johnson for their donation, and look forward to building a relationship that gives future nurses the opportunity to learn and thrive at our University.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Video: Nursing graduates surprised with gifts on TODAY plaza\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-FXxz1rAFR4?feature=oembed\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen style=\"width: 500px; height: 281px; border: 0px solid #000;\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218082\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8324-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8324-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Graduating students from the BSN program at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ during the pinning ceremony at Rockefeller Plaza.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Graduating students from the BSN program at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ during the pinning ceremony at Rockefeller Plaza. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>\u201cThis is a dream come true\u201d<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As part of the broadcast, three members of the Class of 2022 \u2013 Aminata Coundoul, Carin Adler and Alexander Ng \u2013 were featured in a pre-ceremony story, shot on campus in the weeks leading up to the event.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In the piece, the trio shared why they wanted to pursue nursing, their chosen specialties after graduation and how the pandemic has brought them closer together as a class and only strengthened their determination to become nurses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cTo be part of something like this was incredible,\u201d said Ng. \u201cWe have come so far as a class and been through so much together, we have become like a family. To share our story and show the world who we are and how far we have come, and do it on live TV in New York City, is a dream come true and an amazing experience I will never forget.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cI could not be happier for our students, faculty and staff to have this moment on a national stage,\u201d said School of Nursing Dean Janice Smolowitz. \u201cWhat they have accomplished these past four years has been nothing short of remarkable. They deserve all of the accolades and attention they receive, and I have no doubt they will make an impact in the field from the minute they begin their careers.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For more information on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ\u2019s School of Nursing, visit <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/nursing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">montclair.edu\/nursing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8387-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8387-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Hosts from the Today Show on stage with President Koppell and Dean Smolowitz\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hosts from <em>The Today Show<\/em> joined President Koppell and Dean Smolowitz on stage for the special Pinning Ceremony. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8344-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8344-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ State nursing graduates on stage with the cast of The Today Show\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carin Adler, one of the students graduating from the BSN program, shakes hands with <em>The Today Show<\/em> host Hoda Kotb. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218091\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_83611-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_83611-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Student shaking hands with Today Show host\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Hoda Kotb joined her <em>Today Show<\/em> co-hosts and the University in congratulating the graduating students. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218085\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8376-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8376-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Al Roker and representatives from Johnson &amp; Johnson\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Al Roker (in the hat) interviews a team from Johnson &amp; Johnson about the donation they gave to the School of Nursing. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218092\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_66741-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_66741-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Dean Jan Smolowitz on stage, with President Koppell and Today Show hosts standing beside her.\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dean Janice Smolowitz led the students in reciting the International Council of Nurses&#8217; Pledge. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218093\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_6662-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_6662-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"President Jonathan Koppell standing at the podium\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">President Koppell commended the graduating nursing students for persevering through extraordinary circumstances to get their degrees. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218089\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8367-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8367-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Student receiving their pin during the ceremony\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">After reciting the International Council of Nurses&#8217; Pledge, graduating students from the BSN program accepted pins from the School of Nursing faculty. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218087\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8332-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_8332-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Alexander Ng receives his pin during the ceremony\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alexander Ng was one of three students profiled for the special segment that aired on <em>The Today Show<\/em>. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218085\" class=\"responsive-image-holder wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"mlt-responsive-image\" data-original-image=\"\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_6685-scaled.jpg\" src=\"\/responsive-media\/cache\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2022\/05\/NRC_6685-scaled.jpg.0.1x.generic.jpg\" alt=\"Student Aminata Coundoul receiving her pin\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Twenty-two students from the School of Nursing, including Aminata Coundoul, took part in the live pinning ceremony. Photo: Nathan Congleton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/\/ Output tags as a list for Google Analytics custom dimension\nwindow.MSU_TagList = [];\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Red Hawks shine during surprise-filled live Pinning Ceremony at Rockefeller Center<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":218078,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[123,256,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-218071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-homepage-news","category-nursing","category-university"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218071","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=218071"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218071\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":218125,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218071\/revisions\/218125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/218078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=218071"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=218071"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=218071"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}