The New Knight Nurse Celebration: Spring Recognition is a special event hosted by the College of Nursing to honor graduating students as they prepare to enter the nursing profession. This celebration recognizes your achievements and provides an opportunity to celebrate with faculty, staff, peers, and loved ones.

This event is in addition to — not in place of — UCF Commencement. 

Students are still encouraged to participate in their official university Commencement Ceremony (information on this can be found HERE). The New Knight Nurse Celebration is a College of Nursing–specific recognition event that complements Commencement and celebrates your transition into the nursing profession.

In previous years, this milestone has been celebrated through a more traditional ceremony format, often referred to as the Pinning Ceremony or Recognition Ceremony. 

The New Knight Nurse Celebration reimagines this experience into a more come and go reception-style, flexible, interactive, and personalized format, while still honoring the meaningful traditions of nursing recognition.

This year’s celebration will be a reception-style, come-and-go rather than a seated ceremony. 

Students will be assigned an arrival window and will move through a series of experiences throughout the building. During your time, you can expect opportunities to: 

• Participate in your pinning moment with a member of faculty or leadership 

• Take pinning photos provided by GradImages with the opportunity to include a photo with your guests

• Explore interactive stations for new graduates 

• Enjoy a complimentary light refreshment with your peers, friends, family, and the College of Nursing community 

Most students will spend approximately 45–60 minutes at the event.

Yes, you will still be pinned. 

Pinning remains a central part of this celebration. Instead of taking place on stage, you will be pinned in a personalized photo-experience format, by a member of UCF Nursing Faculty or Leadership.

Your guests will be able to accompany you through the experience and have a front-row view of your pinning moment, allowing you to share that meaningful moment with your loved ones in a more intimate, interactive, and memorable setting. 

Additionally, in the spirit of the nursing tradition, students may choose to be pinned by an accompanying family member instead, if they are a nurse. 

Students completing MSN, DNP, PhD and Certificate programs will be recognized and will receive a graduate recognition pin to commemorate their achievement as well. 

Wearing regalia to the celebration is optional. However, if you would like to be hooded by a graduate faculty member during your photo experience, you are welcome to wear your regalia. 

No. All graduating students will be gifted a recognition pin by the College of Nursing at the event. 

Please note: 

• You must attend the event to receive your pin  

• Pins will not be mailed or distributed outside of the event  

Additional pins available at student expense through the UCF Bookstore, Herff Jones, or other vendors are optional and may be purchased at the student’s discretion. The official recognition pin will be provided by the College at the celebration.

Yes. Students are required to RSVP in advance in order to participate. 

A registration link has been sent via your UCF email, and students must confirm their attendance and indicate the number of guests they plan to bring.

If you have not received a registration link, please reach out to NursingEvents@ucf.edu.

Wednesday, April 29^th, 2026

Yes. Graduates will still be recognized as part of the celebration through event displays and program materials.

Participation is highly encouraged but not required. This is a meaningful opportunity to celebrate your accomplishments and be recognized by the College of Nursing community.

Yes. Each graduate may bring up to 4 guests to attend the celebration. 

If you would like to request additional guests, you will have the opportunity to submit a request through your registration form. Please note that due to space limitations, additional guest requests are not guaranteed, but we will do our best to accommodate based on availability. Requests for additional guests will be assessed after the RSVP Deadline.

Yes. You will receive tickets for you and your registered number of guests at the check-in table on the day of the event. 

Tickets are required for entry, so please make sure to accurately fill out your RSVP form. We cannot guarantee additional tickets at the door. 

Yes. UCF Nursing students from all campuses — including Orlando, Cocoa, Daytona, Seminole State, and Valencia — are invited to participate in the celebration. 

Online students are also invited to attend. 

Please refer to your event invitation email or the timeline of events above for your assigned arrival window based on your campus or program.

Students are encouraged to wear: 

• Professional festive attire suitable for a celebratory event  

• White Coat (optional but not required for pinning moment) 

• Regalia (optional but not required; please wear if you would like to be hooded) 

Wearing commencement regalia is not required, but you are welcome to wear it if you would like your photos to reflect that look. 

The event will take place at the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion (6825 Lake Nona Blvd., Orlando, FL 32827) on Thursday, May 7, 2026. Upon arrival, students should proceed to the check-in area at the South Entrance. 

We ask that you arrive during your assigned group window.

Light refreshments will be available for students and guests to enjoy during the celebration.

This new format was designed to complement Commencement by offering an experience that provides College of Nursing students with a celebratory, interactive event.

Complimentary parking will be available in the Academic Health Sciences Campus Parking Lots.

Students should carry all personal items with them unless in a lab or simulation space. During that time, personal items may be stored in the daily use lockers.

The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is 90,000 square feet and features the following classroom learning spaces to educate Knight nurses:

• Three large classrooms, each with 96 seats
• Two skills lab classrooms, each with 24 seats
• One simulation lab classroom with 50 seats

Yes, a student-designated printer is available for printing on the second floor, facing the art display.

Yes, two shuttles run between UCF Main Campus and the UCF Health Science Campus. The shuttle schedule can be found on the Health Sciences Campus Transportation page.

The main campus shuttle pick-up for students is at the UCF Transit Center between parking garages A and I. The Health Science Campus drop-off is behind the College of Medicine, an approximate 5-minute walk from the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion.

The total ride from the first stop on main campus to the final stop at UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus is approximately 50 minutes.

No, there is no UCF-affiliated student housing in Lake Nona. Search online for nearby rentals. UCF also provides an Off-Campus Housing and Roommate Search website.

Yes, students have a food preparation area on the first floor. This area includes access to refrigerators, microwaves, vending machines, sink, and preparation area.

Directions from Main Campus

Use this Central Florida Expressway Toll Calculator. For reference, the cost for a one-way toll from UCF main campus is:

• $2.91 with Epass
• $3.75 with cash
• $5.82 with pay by plate

UCF Dining Services operates the Foodlab in the College of Medicine. This dining option is open Monday-Friday from 7:30am-2:30pm. This food service option features standard menu options as well as rotating menu options each month with mobile ordering capability and UCF prepaid meal plan options. For more information visit College of Medicine’s cafeteria page.

In addition, the Lake Nona area of Central Florida offers a lot of dining options, from fast food to take-out to cafes, food trucks and more.

The following is a list of some of the nearby quick dining options near the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion:

• Starbucks, 0.3 miles
• P.F. Chang’s, 0.3 miles
• Kati Roll Wala, 0.3 miles
• UCF HCA Hospital Cafeteria, 0.4 miles
• Foxtail Coffee, 0.4 miles
• Island Fin Poke, 0.4 miles
• Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, 0.4 miles
• Chroma Modern Bar & Kitchen, 0.4 miles
• Park Pizza & Brewing Company, 0.4 miles
• Boxi Park Food Trucks, 0.4 miles
• The Wave Hotel (several dining options), 0.6 miles
• Publix, 2 miles
• Giovannis, 2 miles
• Wawa, 2 miles
• Wendy’s, 2 miles
• Keke’s, 2.5 miles
• The Great Greek, 2.5 miles
• Nature’s Table, 2.5 miles
• CFS Coffee, 2.5 miles

Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion
6825 Lake Nona Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32827

UCF Building Code and ID: CON 1003 

Parking Information

UCF’s College of Nursing Knight Nurse Academic Center for Success is available in Lake Nona for individual meetings to discuss personal and academic success strategies and to provide referrals for other needs.

UCF’s College of Nursing librarian is available in Lake Nona, but other library services remain on the UCF Main Campus.

Students may utilize the UCF Health Student Health Services location in the College of Medicine.

Students also have access to all UCF Main Campus resources. 

The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion features many open spaces to support student success.

Open spaces are located on all three floors for students to study, eat, meet and relax:

• 1st Floor:
  • Outdoor covered patio seating
  • Indoor atrium seating
• 2nd Floor:
  • 8 study seats
  • Small study room
• 3rd Floor:
  • 8 study seats
  • Small study area

In addition, the following study rooms and conference rooms may be reserved:

• 1st Floor:
  • 16-seat student study room
  • 24-seat conference room
• 2nd Floor:
  • Seven 12-seat conference rooms
• 3rd Floor:
  • Three 6-8-seat conference rooms

Technology inside the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion includes:

• Virtual Reality (VR) room
• Permanent immersive space
• Expanded skills/lab and assessment spaces
• Simulated apartment for home health care
• Open lab room
• New simulation mannequins

Keeping the campuses and community safe is a top priority. UCF Police officers patrol around the Academic Health Sciences Campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

There are emergency blue light phones located throughout UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus, and four are around the exterior of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion. These phones offer direct access to a police dispatcher by pushing a red button.  

At the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, all exterior doors can only be accessed outside of regular business hours by a UCF ID badge. UCF ID badges are remotely programmed at the beginning and end of each semester, and as needed. The building also features security cameras and emergency lockdown buttons. 

The south entrance of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students have additional badge access to limited areas in the building Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Building access hours are subject to change. 

Students must have a compatible UCF ID that has the iCLASS logo on the back in the bottom left corner and a chain of numbers and letters on the bottom right. IDs can be swapped at UCF Card Services on the UCF Main Campus for free.

Student Parking is available in the P3 lot next to the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion. View all parking information here.

Overflow parking is available in lot P4 at the UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center, which is approximately a 1/2 mile away.

For overflow parking during peak times, such as the first week of classes or special events, UCF will provide a shuttle service to transport individuals between the overflow lot and the College of Nursing. 

All students, faculty, staff, and visitors at UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona must have official UCF parking permits or pay the daily rate.

Students should carry all personal items with them unless in a lab or simulation space. During that time, personal items may be stored in the daily use lockers.

The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is 90,000 square feet and features the following classroom learning spaces to educate Knight nurses:

• Three large classrooms, each with 96 seats
• Two skills lab classrooms, each with 24 seats
• One simulation lab classroom with 50 seats

Yes, a student-designated printer is available for printing on the second floor, facing the art display.

Yes, students have a food preparation area on the first floor. This area includes access to refrigerators, microwaves, vending machines, sink, and preparation area.

The Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion features many open spaces to support student success.

Open spaces are located on all three floors for students to study, eat, meet and relax:

• 1st Floor:
  • Outdoor covered patio seating
  • Indoor atrium seating
• 2nd Floor:
  • 8 study seats
  • Small study room
• 3rd Floor:
  • 8 study seats
  • Small study area

In addition, the following study rooms and conference rooms may be reserved:

• 1st Floor:
  • 16-seat student study room
  • 24-seat conference room
• 2nd Floor:
  • Seven 12-seat conference rooms
• 3rd Floor:
  • Three 6-8-seat conference rooms

Technology inside the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion includes:

• Virtual Reality (VR) room
• Permanent immersive space
• Expanded skills/lab and assessment spaces
• Simulated apartment for home health care
• Open lab room
• New simulation mannequins

Students are welcome to invite up to 4 guests each.

Please email nursingevents@ucf.edu if you need additional guest seats after you complete the RSVP.  Additional guest seats should be able to be accommodated and will be determined after RSVPs are finalized. 

There are no physical tickets needed to attend UCF’s College of Nursing Recognition Ceremony.

Contact Barnes & Noble at 407-882-0365 or visit the website to order regalia and customizable specialty nursing pins.

An RSVP link will be sent to all graduating students later this semester. 

As you walk across the stage, drape the hood over your left arm.

When you reach center stage, hand your hood to a faculty member. Then turn to face the audience.

If necessary, bend your knees so your hood can be placed over your head from behind.

All degree-earning students (BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD) must wear graduation regalia (no cap). Those not in regalia will not be permitted to walk in the processional or across the stage. 

The only exception is for graduate certificate-earning candidates who may wear professional business attire.

Students may wear honor cords and/or stoles representing your academic achievements (Sigma, SNA, University honors).

Students will be ascending and descending steps to/from the stage. Please ensure you are able to do so in your footwear.

Jeans, t-shirts, shorts, very high heels and/or flip-flop-style shoes are NOT appropriate attire for graduation candidates.

Leave your cap and reader card provided by UCF at home. These are for UCF Commencement.

Doors open at 2:00 p.m. and guests should be seated by 2:50 p.m. The ceremony will begin promptly at 3:00 p.m.

Please allow extra time for rush hour traffic and/or inclement weather, as well as plenty of time to park and go through the security screening. 

Students should arrive by 2:15pm to line up for the processional.

Upon arrival, students should proceed to the student check-in area to complete a beige reader card and prepare for the processional.

The Venue entrance is on East Knights Plaza Drive behind Addition Financial Arena.

No, storage will not be available. Please plan to leave any personal belongings safely in your car or with a friend or family member.

Students are advised to only bring what you would like to carry during the ceremony.

Yes, two shuttles run between UCF Main Campus and the UCF Health Science Campus. The shuttle schedule can be found on the Health Sciences Campus Transportation page.

The main campus shuttle pick-up for students is at the UCF Transit Center between parking garages A and I. The Health Science Campus drop-off is behind the College of Medicine, an approximate 5-minute walk from the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion.

The total ride from the first stop on main campus to the final stop at UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus is approximately 50 minutes.

No, there is no UCF-affiliated student housing in Lake Nona. Search online for nearby rentals. UCF also provides an Off-Campus Housing and Roommate Search website.

UCF’s College of Nursing Knight Nurse Academic Center for Success is available in Lake Nona for individual meetings to discuss personal and academic success strategies and to provide referrals for other needs.

UCF’s College of Nursing librarian is available in Lake Nona, but other library services remain on the UCF Main Campus.

Students may utilize the UCF Health Student Health Services location in the College of Medicine.

Students also have access to all UCF Main Campus resources. 

Keeping the campuses and community safe is a top priority. UCF Police officers patrol around the Academic Health Sciences Campus 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

There are emergency blue light phones located throughout UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus, and four are around the exterior of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion. These phones offer direct access to a police dispatcher by pushing a red button.  

At the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion, all exterior doors can only be accessed outside of regular business hours by a UCF ID badge. UCF ID badges are remotely programmed at the beginning and end of each semester, and as needed. The building also features security cameras and emergency lockdown buttons. 

Student Parking is available in the P3 lot next to the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion. View all parking information here.

Overflow parking is available in lot P4 at the UCF Lake Nona Cancer Center, which is approximately a 1/2 mile away.

For overflow parking during peak times, such as the first week of classes or special events, UCF will provide a shuttle service to transport individuals between the overflow lot and the College of Nursing. 

All students, faculty, staff, and visitors at UCF’s Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona must have official UCF parking permits or pay the daily rate.

Directions from Main Campus

Use this Central Florida Expressway Toll Calculator. For reference, the cost for a one-way toll from UCF main campus is:

• $2.91 with Epass
• $3.75 with cash
• $5.82 with pay by plate

Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion
6825 Lake Nona Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32827

UCF Building Code and ID: CON 1003 

Parking Information

The south entrance of the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion is open to the public Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students have additional badge access to limited areas in the building Monday – Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Building access hours are subject to change. 

Students must have a compatible UCF ID that has the iCLASS logo on the back in the bottom left corner and a chain of numbers and letters on the bottom right. IDs can be swapped at UCF Card Services on the UCF Main Campus for free.

UCF Dining Services operates the Foodlab in the College of Medicine. This dining option is open Monday-Friday from 7:30am-2:30pm. This food service option features standard menu options as well as rotating menu options each month with mobile ordering capability and UCF prepaid meal plan options. For more information visit College of Medicine’s cafeteria page.

In addition, the Lake Nona area of Central Florida offers a lot of dining options, from fast food to take-out to cafes, food trucks and more.

The following is a list of some of the nearby quick dining options near the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion:

• Starbucks, 0.3 miles
• P.F. Chang’s, 0.3 miles
• Kati Roll Wala, 0.3 miles
• UCF HCA Hospital Cafeteria, 0.4 miles
• Foxtail Coffee, 0.4 miles
• Island Fin Poke, 0.4 miles
• Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, 0.4 miles
• Chroma Modern Bar & Kitchen, 0.4 miles
• Park Pizza & Brewing Company, 0.4 miles
• Boxi Park Food Trucks, 0.4 miles
• The Wave Hotel (several dining options), 0.6 miles
• Publix, 2 miles
• Giovannis, 2 miles
• Wawa, 2 miles
• Wendy’s, 2 miles
• Keke’s, 2.5 miles
• The Great Greek, 2.5 miles
• Nature’s Table, 2.5 miles
• CFS Coffee, 2.5 miles