Daelyn Lazor of Liberty and her parents attend a medallion ceremony for Youngstown State University nursing graduates on Thursday. “She’s worked extremely hard for this and we are very proud. This isn’t a normal situation and we are making the best of a challenging time,” said Daelyn’s mother, Danielle. Staff photo / Beth Shiller

YOUNGSTOWN — Instead of applause in the Chestnut Room, car horns could be heard congratulating Youngstown State University nursing graduates as they received their nursing medallions in a drive-thru ceremony Thursday evening at Stambaugh Stadium.

“It’s a takeoff from the nursing pinning ceremony that celebrates going from student to a professional,” Nancy Wagner, nursing department chair, said. “This is the best we can do to make them feel special.”

Since 2009, the YSU Nursing Medallion ceremony has been held on campus where the students receive a medallion created by Wendell August Forge in Pennsylvania. The bronze medallion, held on a thick red grosgrain ribbon, is proudly worn by all graduates annually at commencement.

“It’s not the medallion ceremony that you expected, that you had hoped for, but I think as your career progresses, you’ll think back on the symbolism of this moment, and what it means to you and what it means for all of us,” YSU Provost Brien Smith said over a loudspeaker. “I wish I could be shaking your hands personally. But, again, I think that we couldn’t be more proud of your accomplishments. And I know for sure we’re going to be proud of what you’re accomplishing far into the future.”

The students didn’t seem to care that the ceremony wasn’t traditional — they were happy to be recognized for their accomplishments and are looking forward to starting their careers.

“This really shows how ingenuitive the nursing faculty and staff are to be able to pull this off safely in just a matter of weeks. It’s very impressive,” said Kyle Gulling of Niles, who has been working at Akron Children’s Hospital in the neonatal intensive care unit. His mother, Lori, was in the car with him and got very emotional because, she said, she is so proud of him and because she’s “never missed a thing.”

The 89 graduates and their families lined up in their cars in the parking lot by Stambaugh Stadium for the ceremony that included greetings by President Jim Tressel, Smith and Tammy King, dean of the Bitonte College of Health and Human Services. This year’s ceremony was organized by the department’s Honors and Awards committee, chaired by assistant professor Laura Calcagni.

“This is very important because we’re missing out on our graduation ceremony. This is a special moment for us to come together to celebrate,” said Alison Heydle of Austinown who also missed her high school graduation so she’s happy to celebrate this big achievement.

Valerie Kinsey, who has been working as a nursing aide at Masternick Memorial, is happy to participate in the ceremony after a tough spring semester. Kinsey tested positive for COVID-19 on Easter Sunday and now her whole family is suffering from it and could not be with her during the ceremony.

“I actually was mostly sleeping for everything and it was kind of hard to keep up with school at the same time, but I managed to get through it,” said Kinsey, who said her experience with the virus has prepared her for a career in the field.

She was inspired to become a nurse after watching nurses and doctors take care of her mother after a heart attack. “It’s crazy to think I’m one now.”

The cars lined up and Calcagni read their names as they were handed their medallions.

“I think all of us knew the extraordinary calling that you answered, to be a nurse. But I think the world knows even more now, as we face this pandemic, that some of the real heroes and heroines in our world are those of you that have given your lives and have studied and have sacrificed so that you can help people in the time of their greatest need,” Tressel said.

The students will officially graduate at the virtual spring commencement Saturday.

bshiller@tribtoday.com