The College of Nursing and Health Sciences honored the Class of 2023 with a celebration in Patrick Gymnasium following the University's formal commencement ceremony on May 21. Dean Noma Anderson welcomed the crowd, expressing pride and excitement for the accomplishments of the 239 graduates as they prepare to enter the healthcare professions.

“To the Class of 2023, I say begin this new chapter of your life with confidence, compassion, caring, cultural humility, and commitment to ethical practice and lifelong learning,” said Anderson. “Be committed to reaching across the divide of health inequity, whether that divide be geographic, racial, ethnic, gender expression, sexual orientation, or age. I ask you to engage with your patients, their families, your colleagues, and your neighbors, with a lens that allows for social justice and the sense of humanity for all.”

Anderson wished the new graduates well as they enter the fields of communication sciences and disorders, exercise science, medical laboratory science, medical radiation science, nursing, and public health sciences, and offered some final words of advice: “Many of us grew up hearing the golden rule - do unto others as you want them to do unto you. As healthcare providers, follow the platinum rule: Treat others as they want to be treated.”

The ceremony featured student retrospectives by Claire Dougherty, Biomedical and Health Sciences; Taylor Dalzell, Communication Sciences and Disorders; Madeline Wilson, Nursing; and Frances O’Donnell, Rehabilitation and Movement Science. The Class of 2023 then received their diplomas.

Anderson presented posthumous degrees to Cody Ray Surprise, who majored in Exercise Science, and Maisie Talbot, who majored in Health Sciences. Anderson also recognized retiring faculty member Shelley Velleman, chair and professor of communication and sciences and disorders.

Following the ceremony, Dean Anderson hosted a reception for the graduates, their families, and friends in the Davis Center Grand Maple Ballroom.