The College of Arts and Sciences Hosts its Annual Sophomore Pinning Ceremony

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University hosted its annual Sophomore Pinning Ceremony in Bethany Hall. The event is an opportunity to inspire students to pursue the interests that they have discovered during freshmen year, to take some chances on second majors or minors or experiences that will distinguish them from other people in their chosen fields, and to be intentional about pursuing their goals and helping Seton Hall help them.

As excited students filled the room, they were warmly greeted by the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Christopher Kaiser, Ph.D., the Master of Ceremonies. Dean Kaiser invited Father Colin Kay to give the invocation, and Fr. Kay—or "Blade," as he nicknamed himself—prayed for all to cut through the distractions and find God and each other. With the Pinning Ceremony officially underway, Dean Kaiser provided a brief history of the importance of Pinning Ceremonies. At Seton Hall, the College of Arts and Sciences’ Pinning Ceremony not only celebrates students for approaching the halfway point in their undergraduate curricula, it also inspires them to make the most of their time in college and enables them to keep learning from successful alumni. Dean Kaiser welcomed several successful alumni and friends of the college to share the advice they wish they had as sophomores, before graduating, and to relate the twists and turns of their careers. The goal throughout was to reinforce to students the importance of pursuing their passions, because success in their careers and in their relationships will be a product of their investment of energy and care.

Jonathan Farina, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, addressed the sophomore class on this investment. Dean Farina shared a story about a required class in business statistics that he took many—many—years ago when he was a freshman. Though he is not a fan of statistics, he recalled loving the course because the professor, a Jesuit priest, made a habit of connecting every lesson in statistics to a pragmatic lesson about life. That class, oddly enough, inspired him to take a chance on a career in literature. Dean Farina encouraged the sophomores to let themselves be inspired by those moments in their first two years of college that surprised them with joy, inside and outside of the classroom. After elaborating on the ability for creative combinations of different majors—chemistry and creative writing, biology and business, computer science and psychology—to distinguish the unique capabilities and personalities of graduates from other applicants for similar jobs, Dean Farina emphasized that, "No matter what field you are in, the ability to cultivate and maintain relationships effectively is what will determine your success."

To that end, the sophomores were then able to hear from exciting graduates and friends of the college in digital marketing, banking, pediatrics, and biological research: Mrs. Carmela Cirelli Mr. Joseph Hehl, Dr. Ashley Serrette, and Ayuni Yussofl, Ph.D. This diverse set of talented—and funny—Setonians offered sage advice about how to be resilient, make the most of their college experience, and align career and family success. As students were adorned with their pristine new pins, they also had the opportunity to network with these four keynote speakers.

It can be too easy to feel lost in the shuffle of everyday college life, to lose sight of the big picture amidst immediate deadlines and requirements. Milestone events such as the Sophomore Year Pinning Ceremony ground students in the greater purpose of a liberal arts and sciences education and remind them how important they are to our community. 

Categories: Campus Life, Education