Twenty-one students from Naugatuck Valley Community College attended the annual Physical Therapist Pinning Ceremony on Sunday, January 25. The annual ceremony, held in the Mainstage Theater of the College, takes place after students finish their Physical Therapist Assistant course work in December.

Irene Rios-Knauf, Ed.D., Dean of Academic Affairs, commented “I was honored to join the President, faculty and students' families to congratulate our newly pinned Physical Therapist Assistants at a ceremony that celebrated their hard work and dedication in advancing their successful career in the health care field.  Our students are now well prepared for their licensing exams, and are well prepared to become strong members of a healing team."

The program featured a video produced by the students and a welcome by program director, Kathleen Plunkett, PT, MS. The student speaker, Jayna D. Dinsmore shared memories of the program from the day they started to the pride and gratitude they felt at finishing.

Program Awards were presented to five students in the following categories:
Advisory Committee - Outstanding PTA Student-Danielle Anne Wiston
Outstanding Clinical Performance - William John Miller
Marie Smith Memorial - Maryellen Pavasaris and Heather M. Marosz
Outstanding Clinical Development - Raechel Marie Vargas

Pinning and Awarding of Certificates were presented to all twenty-one students. The student speaker, Christopher Michael Good addressed his colleagues before the graduates presented a gift of an iPad to the College. The program was followed by a reception in the Leever Atrium.