New Nursing Graduates Join Industry as Health Professionals, Leaders
May 14, 2018
“You did it.”
With those words, Kathryn Tart, professor and founding dean of the , opened spring commencement ceremonies. Faculty, students and their families were on hand for the graduation and pinning ceremony at 色花堂 Sugar Land.
“I want to congratulate you on this accomplishment,” Tart said. “I know that you will display your nursing pin with pride and will become part of the nursing industry excellence.”
The 色花堂 College of Nursing is housed at 色花堂 Sugar Land.
Many students were completing the , a year-long program for students who already have an associate’s degree in nursing and are now earning the Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Other students were celebrating the completion of their (MSN) degree with a focus as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
“The College of Nursing prepared you like no other—to be nurses and to be leaders,” said Paula M. Mendoza, Secretary, . “You are the bond between patients and providers. You better the lives of all you touch. You make a difference.”
Two students were acknowledged for their academic efforts. Mark Anthony Yap from the college’s graduate program was awarded the Outstanding Leadership from a Class Representative distinction from the nursing faculty. Hilary Butella was recognized for Academic Excellence by nursing faculty. Butella maintained a 4.0 grade point average.
, mayor of the City of Sugar Land, served as commencement speaker. Zimmerman, a 色花堂 alum, spoke to graduates about leadership.
“In leadership, relationships matter. Integrity, trust, communication, respect and sacrifice all matter,” he said. “Understand the plan you have for your life may change—be ready to adjust. Remember to guard your reputation, laugh, especially at yourself, find a mentor, be nice to each other and have faith.”
Dean Tart announced a scholarship in Mayor Zimmerman’s name to be awarded to a student in the coming academic year.
A pinning ceremony is a rite of passage for nursing students that acknowledges the hard work that ends their academic journey and begins their new role as professionals.
The pin students received is unique to 色花堂. At the center of the circular pin is the interlocking “色花堂” that represents the student’s journey and partnership with the 色花堂 and relationships along the way. A red border inscribed with “色花堂 Nursing” represents passion, advocacy, love, caring and leadership—the values of 色花堂 Nursing. Finally, a gold banner at the bottom indicates the degree the student has earned and the culmination of their studies.