(Music Playing) Good morning and welcome.

Everyone has to be here.

Today we celebrate the academic accomplishments of our newest Spartan nurse graduates.

We ask that all in attendance are respectful of today's ceremony and adhere to the university ordinances and expectations.

As dean of the College of Nursing, I am pleased to welcome you to the College of Nursing Spring 2025 Commencement and Pinning Ceremony.

An age old tradition in nursing.

Would everyone please stand as you're able for the Star-Spangled banner, performed by the Lansing Concert Band and soloist Cathy Forrest.

O say can you see by the dawns early light What so proudly we haild at the twilights last gleaming Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight Oer the ramparts we watchd were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets red glare the bomb bursting in air Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave Oer the land of the free and the home of the brave Thank you.

Please be seated.

I would like to extend a special welcome to all the family and friends of our graduates.

As members of our students Support Network, you have played a pivotal role in their academic success.

I'm certain that you have likely received texts and phone calls at odd hours of the time, so I appreciate them.

We cannot thank you enough for the support and encouragement you have provided to thes absolutely incredible students.

Today we celebrate the graduates of the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursin and the RN and to BSN program.

Each of these 84 students has completed a rigorous didacti and clinical coursework to meet the requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

We are proud that each of these graduates have chosen the nursing profession, and are exceptionally proud to have these individuals represent Michigan State University.

They are part of an esteemed 75 year tradition of Spartan nursing who have contributed to improving health care worldwide.

Nursing is not still listed as one of the most challenging degrees to achieve in the US and globally.

I believe it ranks in the top ten most difficult baccalaureate degrees.

So to students, you have done this.

You may see or hear about nursing burnout, among other potentially negative portrayals of nursing.

You have been offered several resiliency, skill building, and self-car strategies during your program.

Please use them and remember your why.

Why you ever became a nurse to begin with.

That why has been inspired by your passion and driven you to complete your academic program.

And we hope you will hold your Y very close to your heart and reflect on it frequently.

This will re-energize you and refresh your caring and compassionate spirit that makes your nursing practice impactful.

Graduation is a very exciting time because it marks the accomplishment in individuals lives and represent both an ending and a beginning.

These graduates are starting a career that, for 23 consecutive years has been identified by Americans as one of the most essential and trusted healthcare professions.

Nurses are with individuals during every critical and personal life passage, one of which you'll hear a bit more about today.

Everyone in this room has experienced or knows someone who has experienced expert nursing care that was necessar for themselves or a loved one.

Our graduate know what high quality care is and are very well prepared to provide it.

We are proud of them and enthusiastically look forward to following their careers.

Class of 2025.

We are confident that you all are the nurse leaders of the future.

The faculty and I look forward to our new relationship with you as colleagues, and we hope you will share your future successes, of which you will have many.

This is where you're supposed to apply.

The entire College of Nursing communit is celebrating these graduates.

Importantly, the faculty have made significant contributions to the continued success of our students and the field of nursing as a whole.

And at this point, I' like all the faculty to stand.

They put forwar extraordinary efforts for each and every on and the collective student body.

I can still remember a faculty member who made an impression on me that maybe wasn't a great impression to begin with, but I will forever remember Doctor Radke.

And you will remember people, too, because what she taught me about physiology was incredible and formed the basis of my practice.

Though at the tim I may not have appreciated it.

Every semester has offered unique challenges with a great deal of uncertainty.

In the last several years.

However, our faculty have adapted very quickly, prioritizing and meeting their students needs in the classroom through simulatio and in the clinical experiences, and I cannot thank them enough for their hard work and dedication this year and all the previous years, and invite you to thank them as well.

It also gives me great pleasure to publicly recognize our outstanding College of Nursing staff.

Please raise your hands.

I can't see, but I'm hoping they're raising their hands.

Their hard wor steadfastly supports our faculty and contributes to the success of our students on their educational journey.

They provide exceptional, dedicated service to our college community, and I want to thank them as well.

I want to offer a special welcome and thank you to MSU Board of Trustee Kelly Tebay, doctor Tebay.

Trustee Tebay was elected to Michigan State University Board of Trustees with a term that began in January 2019.

She is a graduate of James Madison College here at Michigan State University, where she earned her baccalaureate degree in international relations.

Ships.

International relations, excuse me, with a specialty in Muslim studies.

She later earned a master's degree in law enforcement, intelligence and analysis from MSU with certificates in Homelan Security and Critical Thinking.

In addition to serving on the board of the MSU trustees, TB Trustee Bey serves on the Board of Volunteers of America in Michigan.

Please join me in acknowledging trustee TB.

It is an honor and a privilege to introduce our keynote speaker this morning, Julie Abrahim.

You'll hear more from her and her story in just a few moments.

Julie was born in 1958, in Wichita, Kansas, the first of three children to Don and in Carlisle.

At 11, her family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where her father opened a restaurant in Julie.

Work there after school and on weekends.

As a young woman, Julie participated in the Young Adults progra with her church, Saint George.

Anti-abortion Orthodox Church and eventually became president of the Midwest Region of 46 churches.

In 1977, while attending an event at Grand Rapids, Michigan, she met her future husband, Jerry Abraham.

They married in 1978 and have two children, one son, Steven, and a daughter, Jamie.

In 1985 after purchasing a new company, her family moved from Grand Rapids to East Lansing.

In East Lansing, Julie becam active in East Lansing schools, becoming a volunteer coordinator for the entire school system from 1989 until 1992, when they moved their business headquarters back to Grand Rapids.

She became the president of the Baby's Welfare Guild, the Financial arm of Camp Blodgett, to support and send inner city children to camp on Lake Michigan every summer.

Julies story, which led her to being here with us today, began in the spring of 1981.

Please join me in welcoming Julie Abraham.

Good morning.

I would like to acknowledge Dean Leigh Small.

All the faculty here present trustee Kelly.

We'd like to also welcome and say hell to all of our graduating nurses, and to all of your parents for the dedication that they're going to witness, that you will be taking upon here shortly.

I'd like to also say a welcome to my husband, Jerry, and my fellow Tammy, who are in the audience today to support me to do this.

I have always had an admiration of nurses and nursing.

In 1958, the year I was born.

My aunt, Nancy CaCieri, graduated in the first class of nurses at the University of Iowa.

She had a lifelong career as a nurse at the University Hospita and many different departments.

Unfortunately, my aspirations to be a nurse were set aside when my husband, Jerry, swept me away to Grand Rapids, where my story begins, and the spring of 1981, which happens to also be 44 years ago.

Today was the day that my journey truly began.

I was 22 years old, almost the same age of many of you here today.

I was pregnant with my daughter and was misdiagnose with a duodenal bleeding ulcer.

Eight months later, after having my daughter, the doctor that was treating me told me all the pain I was having was in my head and there was nothing wrong with me.

A month later, I was correctly diagnosed with gall bladder disease by another physician.

In early March of 1982 I had my gall bladder removed, along with a jar full of pebble sized stones.

Laparoscopic surgery was used minimally for diagnostic purposes only.

Therefore, open abdominal surgery was the only option.

After a week in the hospital, I went home and a great deal of pai believed to be from the surgery.

It would be determined several weeks later that I was having an acute case of severe pancreatitis.

April 1st I was back in the hospital for the next month and a half after countless tests.

No food, only NPO, meaning nothing by mouth, IV antibiotics.

It was finally determined I needed a sphincter, a plaster of my biliary duct.

Hence now surgery number two.

This is when I truly began understanding the hard work of nursing without my nurses providing me expert care.

During my 40 day stay in the hospital, tending to my eve changing needs, cheering me on.

Being so supportive, knowing that my babies were in Iowa.

I think I would have lost my mind.

I was able to go home at the end of May.

Jerry went out to Iowa and brought our little boy Steve, who was two at the time, and his baby sister, now six months old, home.

The 1st of June.

I have never been so happy to be home with my babies and husband.

Three months later, I would end up back in the hospital with another case of severe pancreatitis.

My doctor, James Fusion, and his nurse Margo Wreight, who would become one of my best friends, determined my case, needed more input from another physician.

After having three more visits to the hospital in December, I went to Indianapolis to see a pancreatic specialist, Doctor James Madeira.

He determined that I needed another surgery, so we packed up the kids, drove them back out to Iowa for Christmas, where they stayed until the beginning of March 1983.

In early January 1983, we returned to Indianapolis, where I had a double sphincter, a placid one on both my biliary and pancreatic duct surgery.

Number three.

Now that my abdomen had been opened up many times, the recovery wasn't as hard.

At the end of February, I was able to come home.

This is another time when I wouldn't have survived without my nurses.

Imagine being in a hospital four hours from home.

My husband being with me for my surgery, but having to go back and forth to Grand Rapids to work.

My family is in Iowa taking care of my kids.

I had a few friends and a priest in Indy who came to visit, but it was my nurses who held my hand, listened to m talk, and answered my questions.

When I was scared.

It was my nurses who sat with me at night when I couldn't sleep.

I wish I could tell you that this is the end of the story, but it is not.

For mid 1983 to 1985.

I was in and out of the hospital for five days or up to two weeks with pancreatitis from 1985 to 1989.

I learned from my nurses how to control the pain as best I could to be abl to stay home with my children.

When a case of pancreatitis occurred.

In addition I was now diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis.

PBC from 1989 to 1999.

The doctors tried several experimenta treatments with moderate success in 1999.

The pancreatic duct collapsed just after moving our son back in his dorm her at MSU for his sophomore year.

Every 6 to 12 weeks, I would then endure an urge to replace a pancreatic stent until 2008, when I made a decision to have my fourth surgery, and it would be the granddaddy of all surgeries known as the Whipple.

It took one year for my system to react to the surgery and finally the pain was gone.

Again, my thanks for surviving this beast, as I call it, is to my nurses, but to one in particular.

Bernie's.

In 2014 I realized it was not absorbing nutrients anymore.

This is when my primary doctor Sam, suggested the born clinic, whose primary focus is functional medicine.

There I met Doctor Robin Bedke.

Doctor Tammy, born, both MSU graduates.

I went through months of infusion treatments to keep me healthy.

During the treatments, we discovered my PBC had become activ to a level stage four, and now I needed a liver transplant.

I was initially sent to Henry Ford Hospital and accepted for transplant until they realized I had a Whipple surgery.

It was then recommended by the transplant doctor, who had done a fellowship at Indiana University, to go there for a consultation of a multi-organ transplant.

June 2015 I went to Indianapolis, met with Doctor Sean Mangus, who, after reviewing my case, was able to get me listed for transplant as soon as possible based on my needs.

I was approved for a multi-organ transplant in August and received my transplant on October 31st, 2015.

Halloween.

The biggest challenge is that it was surgery number five because I have no fat pad.

Healing was an issue.

The major setback was healing from the inside out, inside, outside, in instead of inside out.

Therefore, a need for a wound vac.

Being discharged from the hospital to the Marriott Hotel for the next month meant I had a machine hooked to my body to help it close properly.

I thank my sister in law, Mary, who has been a nurse for most of her life.

Enough for her help when she came to visit me and it was time to change the bandage on the wound, watching her take care of this big incision helped me accept that my bod could not take another surgery that required me to be opened up again.

By the grace of God, my husband and family and friends.

In addition to the outstandin men and women, doctors, nurses, professionals that helped and taught us how to survive long term illness, do I stand here before you today?

To Kathy Schultz, who helped me through the anxiety upon learning how to deal with waiting for a dono and just being there to listen whenever I was unsure of what I was doing.

To Steve, who was my ICU nurse.

When I woke up from my transplant, he reassured me that I only had a liver transplant and not five organs.

He also helped me adjust to having the breathing tube in place, when all I wanted to do is breathe on my own.

But most of all, I bugged him constantly wanting to know how MSU was doing and football because it was football.

Saturday.

If there is one thing I would like to impart on you today is the following.

Whether you are a nurse in a doctor's office, the hospital, the lab, radiology, home health care, or even in a nursing home, you can't imagine the impac you will have on your patients.

I am here to tell you.

Thank you for what you are about to embark on in your careers.

Your impact will be felt for years to come.

It will never be forgotten.

It will never be forgotte because I have never forgotten the nurses that have taken care of me.

Go green.

I'm very glad that you came to talk to us today, to tell us about the impact nursing had on her life, and I want you to always remember this story, because as nurses, we can get caught up on all.

I don't want to work on the weekend.

I don't want to work on the holiday.

These are the things that keep you going, so please remember that.

Thank you very much.

A prominent moment in the life of a nurse is the pinning ceremony.

We are proud to continue that tradition today with our spring 2025 graduates.

This ceremony provides the opportunity to recognize each graduate individuall and carry out a special and time honored ritual in the profession of nursing.

The Michigan State University Pin is unique to our College of Nursing and signifies, excuse me, signifies the special status of our graduates.

The pins of our graduates who received today were a generous donation from alumni and friends of the College of Nursing, who participated in the Pin Pals program.

The program supports the cost associated with the pinning and the pins of the BSN graduates, while linking donors to our newest Spartan nurses.

In a very significant way.

Doctor Donna Marshall Moyer, Doctor Hayen Lu, and Doctor McKenzie Misane, faculty at the College of Nursing will have the hono of pinning each of our graduates today.

At this time with the candidates, please follow the direct directions of Doctor Jessica.

Excuse me, Miss Jessica.

Gallagher academic advisor.

Please be seate once you have crossed the stage.

Your picture and your picture taken.

We now welcome Miss Jessica Meir, assistant director of advising and enrollment, to the microphone to announce the graduate as they walk across the stage.

(Conferral of Degrees, Pinning Reading Graduate Names) Well here's the moment you've been waiting for.

Will the baccalaureate candidates please rise?

As you were able?

Anybody can do a drum roll if you'd like.

On behalf of the president, who has delegated to me the authority of the state of Michigan vested in the Board of trustees, I confer upon all of you the degrees to which you have been recommended with all rights and distinctions to which they entitle you, according to customs.

You may now move your tasse from the right side of your cap to the left.

All right.

We have a little more to go, and then you can be released for your celebrations.

Which I think will be quite celebratory this afternoon.

Doctor Kathleen Poindexter, assistant dean for the undergraduate progra and interim associate academic dean will now recognize these members of the graduating clas who have gone above and beyond, inside and outside of the classroom.

Doctor Poindexter.

Thank you, Dean small.

And I just want to say, wow, it's real.

Guys, you did it.

I have the honor of of recognizing those student that have demonstrated exemplary leadership in the classroo and the professional community and would like to take this opportunity to recognize and honor those students who have exhibited an extra ordinary commitment to service and leadership.

And this is a really difficult decision.

As those of you who have heard, Dean Small State earlier, undergraduate baccalaureate nursing education is one of the most difficul curriculum in the United States.

And to go above and beyon these already best of the best is a major challenge to select.

So one kudos to every one of you.

And, congratulations to those that I'm about to recognize above and beyond.

First, our commissioned officers, I would like to take the opportunity to hono the members of the senior class who will be commissioned a officers following graduation.

Please join me in recognizing Jordan Duff, Jack Peterso and Ainsley Stearns, who will be commissioned officers in the United States Army.

Jack, Jordan and Ainsley, please stand up and be honored.

I had the greatest respect for these three.

What they accomplished long before those dark hours when all the rest of us get to clinical or start courses, they've already achieve so much and run how many miles they ever.

If they ever invite you to a, a the abilit to to see who could run the fire this or who can do something most physical, just just graciously deny it and watch them.

The outstanding student award.

Every semester we pay tribute to graduates who completed their academic program successfully and were recognized by their peers and faculty for their exceptional academic achievements.

The selection of the Outstanding Student Award recipient is based on education, leadership, scholarship, and clinical practice.

Students are nominated by faculty and students and selected by th undergraduate Program Committee.

We are proud to honor Ainsley Woodrum from the traditional BSN program as the outstanding student for her class.

Ainsley, please stand and be congratulated.

Sounds like it was pretty unanimous.

Honors.

We now pay tribute to graduates who have the distinction of maintainin the highest grade point average in the class, thereby merit in a 4.0 grade point average, one I never achieved to be eligible for a 4.0 at least three fourths of the credits for the degree must be earned in residence at Michigan State University.

This honor is designated by the green, white, and gold braided cord worn with the academic robe.

This spring semester 271 students across all programs at Michigan State University qualified for 4.0 honors.

The College of Nursing is proud to have five students qualify for 4.0.

And did I mention this is one of the most difficult curriculum .Will Sidney Butler, Caroline Kmiec, Gianna O'Brien, Christine O'Donnell, and Ainsley Woodrum please ris to accept our congratulations.

The Spirit Award recognizes students who have inspired their classmates and fostered positive energy in the classroom.

The class of 2025 selected Emory cameras out to receive this year's award.

Yesterday, Avery represented the college as the banner carrier for the university convocation ceremony.

Please join me in congratulating Avery and thanking her for her exemplary spirit.

Avery, please stand and be recognized and thank you.

There are other graduate that we would like to recognize today, so student please stand when appropriate.

The Colleg of Nursing Student Ambassador.

The journey of becoming a Spartan Nurse is challenging and multifaceted.

Thankfully, our students benefit from the experience and counsel of our Colleg of Nursing Student ambassadors.

Student ambassador are available to advise students on everythin from elective recommendations, t, BSN applications, tutoring resources, internships and learning work life balance.

Student ambassadors understand the challenges of being a Spartan nurse.

Let us show them our deep appreciation for their mentorship with representatives from the College of Nursing, Student Ambassador Program.

Please stand and be recognized and receive our thanks.

High honor and honor students with grade poin averages between 3.98 and 4.0.

That's still pretty high.

receive University high honor.

In addition, University Honor is awarded to students who have earned grade poin averages between 3.89 and 3.98.

Gold honor cords designate both honors well, all students graduating with honors in high honor.

Please stand and accept our sincere congratulations.

We also have Honors College students who fulfill the requirements of the Honors College by completing enriched programs of study.

Are wearing white stoles with the HCC designation.

Well, all students graduating a members of the Honors College.

Please stand and be recognized and congratulated.

Next, I would like to acknowledge the students participating in the Access in Nurse Scholar programs.

These two exceptional programs operate under the umbrella of the College of Nursing, Office of Student Affairs, Student Success and Retention Unit.

This initiative is dedicated to empowering students from diverse backgrounds fostering academic excellence, and molding individuals into competent, well rounded, and compassionate nurse who will thrive in their careers and positively contribute to nursing profession.

Well, all students in the Access and Scholars programs please stand so that we can recognize and congratulate.

Nursing students also at all levels, can represent their classmate on the Student Advisory Council.

In addition, the Student Advisory Council advises our administrators and facult on curriculum and student needs.

And we have listened to you honestly.

Well the graduates who served on SAC, please stand to be recognized, and we thank you for being the voice for your classmates and helping us to continu to improve our program offering.

I want to say that student who participated in this nursing student association are dedicated to ongoing professional development.

Members of this organizatio participate in service projects and continuous leadership training to grow as students and a profession in the nursing will.

Members of the National.

Yes, National.

And they had a voic on the national stage this year.

You presented some some bills and some recommendations.

So we are very, very proud of you.

Please stand so that we can recognize you.

As you can see, these students went above and beyond the basic curricular requirements to receive the Bachelor of Nursing degree from the College of Nursing at Michigan State.

We are proud health care is in good hands.

Congrats.

Now, I would like t welcome Doctor Christa Walker, our assistant dean for the college day, so she can recognize members of the graduating class along with the faculty advisors who participate in student engagement groups.

Doctor Walker.

Thank you, doctor Poindexter.

We want to take a moment to reflect on the values that make Michigan State College of Nursing a place of growth, inclusivity, and excellence.

MSU College of Nursin is deeply committed to fostering an environment where everyone's experiences, identities, and perspectives are welcome, respected and celebrated.

Our commitment t inclusive excellence is evident in our student engagement groups, who play an essential rol in ensuring that our community remains one of belonging, respect and connection.

These groups not only enhance our collective culture, but also promote creativity, innovation and equity.

Values that we as future nurses carry with us into the world.

Today, we can take time to recognize for student engagement groups that have made significant contributions that increase access, inclusivity and a sense of belonging within our community.

I ask that the members and faculty advisors of these group please stand and be recognized.

Men in nursing, Student Association.

Black Student Nurses Association.

LGBTQ+ Allied student association.

Multicultural student nurses association.

These groups, with the guidance of their faculty advisors, embody MS College of Nursing core values by advancing inclusive excellence, both within our college and in the health care field, their collective work ensure that we are not only developing skilled nurses, but compassionate ones who are committed to addressing health disparities and serving under-resourced communities.

Let us give a round of applause to these groups for their dedication to inclusive excellence, and for the example they set in building a more just and equitable health care system.

Doctor Susan Bucholz associate dean for research, will now recognize graduating class members who participate in undergraduate research.

As a public research intensive land grant university, Michigan State advances knowledge by conducting high caliber research that seeks to answer questions and create solutions to make a positive difference, both locally, statewide, nationally, and globally.

As such, the university is considered a Carnegie foundation.

One research intensive university at the College of Nursing.

We believe in the power of research to have a lasting effect that will enhance nursing science, strengthen nursing care practices, and most importantly, improve those health outcomes in our communities.

Research is essential.

Faculty in the College of Nursing and across campus are committed to addressing today's most pressing health challenges.

It is extraordinary the research that is occurring in our College of Nursing.

We also seek to share these experiences in the classroom and through collaborative opportunities with faculty, allowing our graduates to grow as learners and critical thinkers who will help advance our ever important nursing science.

Now, this time, I want to acknowledge our undergraduate research assistants.

It is a pleasure to see undergraduate students taking advantag of opportunities to participate in our faculty research projects.

We have one of the most strongest undergraduat research programs in the nation.

It has just extraordinary student, and the undergraduate research program gained valuable experience as part of a research team preparing for their work for graduate school and inspiring them to continue on and pursue a doctorate in nursing.

Will those who have served in undergraduate research assistant role please stand to be recognized?

Thank you.

We're.

We're just so proud of you.

to all of our graduates, I encourage you to stay abreast of the research evidence, be engaged in research, and allow yourself to be curious, always curious as you move forward in your career.

Some of the best researc that I've seen comes right from.

In fact the majority of it comes right from those nurses who are working out in the field.

Congratulations to all of you.

Now I get the distinct honor of introducing your student speaker, Ainsley Woodrum.

Thanks.

For those who didn't know, Ainsle comes from Lake Orion, Michigan.

She chose nursing as a career because she wants to provide a patient care closest to the patient and pursue a career rooted in lifelong learning.

She holds leadership roles in the Nursing Student Association as the secretary and mentor annually for PSL 310.

It's physiology goes.

In her spare time she volunteers with cozy covers, Letters of Love and Bertram Hills Community Center.

Ainsley plans to pursue emergency department nursing.

She currently works as a nurse intern in the emergency department at Henry Ford Rochester Hospital, and following graduation, she will be moving to Rochester, Minnesota, where she has a position at the Mayo Clinic Emergency Department Pathway Program and.

Please join me in welcoming Ainsley.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

Hello everyone.

They really made me go after all that emotional walking and clapping.

Like now I have to give my speech.

It's an honor to stand before you all today.

As your student speaker, I'm filled with gratitude to share this incredible moment with all of you, looking out and seeing all of your smilin faces and the family and friends who supported us every step of the way.

It fills me with joy.

I know they are beamin with pride today just as I am.

So we thank you all for your presence, your encouragement, and your unwavering support throughout these transformative years.

It feels like just yesterda we were stepping into room C1 60 for the very first time.

Nervous, unsure and surrounded by unfamiliar faces.

But along the way, through early morning drives to clinical nursing formals and food runs between classes we built something long lasting.

We leaned on each other not just as students, but as a family.

And just in the same way you have your usual spot at the family dinner table.

We all found our assigned seats in the classroom to nursing school.

It's tough.

It' something we can all attest to.

Who knew?

Something as simple as washing your hands could feel so high stakes during our first check off, or how one exam can make you seriously consider switching majors.

We've pushed through tough lessons, long study nights, and learned how to show up for people on their hardest days.

But we've also made friends who make even the library feel fun.

Had our clinical grou cheering us on as we performed a skill for the first time, and had someone look us in the eyes and say, you're going to be an amazing nurse.

We are the some of the patients we've cared for, the friendships we forme and the lessons we've learned, and these moments, both the hard and the heartfelt, have shaped us into who we are now resilient, compassionate and ready.

And we didn't walk this path alone.

Our incredible faculty and staf stood beside us with patience, humor and guidance.

Even when we doubted ourselves.

So thank you to the Board of Trustees, the associate deans, professors, and clinical instructors.

You believed in us before.

We believed in ourselves.

As we step into this nex chapter, I challenge each of us to live out what it truly means to be a Spartan nurse.

Our time at the College of Nursing has instilled in us values that go fa beyond the classroom integrity, advocacy, compassion, collaboration, excellence.

These are more than words.

They are the pillars that guide us and the principles that will shape the legacy we continue to build.

Living out these value isn't just our responsibility, it's our privilege.

So wherever we go, may we carry the Spartan fire with us, not just into our workplaces, but into the world.

And the road ahead won't be easy.

But if we've proven anything, it' that we are more than capable.

So wherever we go, I am so prou to be a part of this community and say that I'm a Spartan nurse.

I can't wait to see the lives you'll touch and the impact you'll make and we will always be connected by a few simple words go green, go white.

Congratulations everyone.

You all can see the bonds that are created here will last a lifetime.

You all will find each other wherever you are.

And please always give each other grace and praise.

Grace for the hard times.

But praise always.

Because that we know from the research evidence, provides positive environment for us all to live and thrive.

So thank you, Ainsley.

And at this time, Docto Gottschalk, president of Alpha Psi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society for nursing, will offer his remarks.

No, I'm sorry, it's Doctor Katherine Dontje.

Well, that's a hard act to follow for sure.

And I'm sure I won't get that kind of applause at the end.

But anyhow, I am representing Doctor Gottschalk.

he wasn't able to be here today, but I am a member of Sigma Theta Tau and very invested in this organization on behalf of the president and members of Alpha Psi of Sigma Theta Tau, I'd lik to congratulate our graduates, our guests, colleagues and fellow members.

for those who are not familiar with Sigma Theta Tau, this is an honor society that was founded in 1922 by six nurses at at the Indiana University with Alpha Psi chapter at MSU being established in 1969.

The name Sigma Theta Tau was chosen from Greek words love, courage and honor.

It is one of the largest global organizations of over 100,000 members, including clinical nurses, administrators, educators, researchers, policymakers, and others working to fulfill the organization's vision of connected, empowered nurse leaders.

Transforming Global health care.

And I will just say that, being at one of their international conference is just a wonderful experience.

You'll see individuals from all over the world.

It's quite impressive.

the 2023, 25 Sigma Theta Tau, a organizational call to action.

Ask us to represent.

We're all leaders and must represent our unique selves and collective change in our shared world.

Considering the global footprint of nursing and the fact that it is the most trusted profession, we are well positioned to accomplish this.

The years ahead will be challenging as you continue to address affordable, equitable access to health care globally.

Slowly the growth of current slowing, the growth of chronic health conditions, promoting planetary health, and the list goes on.

We may face these challenges by drawing on the core values of Sigma, Theta Tau, love, courage, and honor.

This includes being helpers of mankind and ensuring all population receive the best care possible.

We need to own our creative, creation of knowledge, own our own innovations, and be empowered by the technology versus being beholden to it.

Being a leader at the interprofessional table is more critical than ever.

This is our time to influence a future that is different from today.

Membership and Alpha Psi chapter at MSU is open to students of Nursing' baccalaureate program, nursing, graduate stud programs, and community leaders.

For those of you who are graduating and not yet a member, please consider reaching out to your local chapter, wherever they may be, to join this esteemed population of nursing leaders.

In closing, I'd like to take this opportunity to recognize the 2024, 2025 Sigma Theta Tau inductees.

Would you please stand?

Thank you.

These new Sigm Theta Tau International members are identified today as they wear their purple and white honor cords.

I would also like to ask all the members of Alpha Psi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, who are present today, and members of other chapters across the nation, to please stand.

Congratulations again, graduates.

And together, let's accept the challenge to represent the best of our individuality and shared contribution to our profession in three ways reflect, respect, and respond.

And I know you can.

We are Spartan nurses.

Thank you, doctorDontj I want to remind all of you that having a bachelor's degree in nursing is like walking through a threshold, and you can go from here to any specialt that you want to be a part of.

There are, I believe, 15 different specialties for advanced practice and other things.

So please, learn how to be a nurse.

You've walked through the threshold and then consider what else you want to do to impact health care into the future.

And then as you walk through the threshold, you all now become alumni of Michigan State University.

So with that, I'd like to ask Doctor Kimberly Jones, a member of the Nursing Alumni Association and DNP, Adult Gerontology clinical nurse specialist graduate, to offer her remarks.

Please join me in welcoming Doctor Jones.

Good morning.

What a great day to be with you all.

It's so exciting to finally reach the en and move on to the next chapter.

I'm here toda on behalf of the college sorry, of the Michigan State University Alumni Association, including the College of Nursing Alumni Board to offer our sincere congratulations on your amazing achievement.

Over 8000 graduates have come before you and we all welcome you to the Spartan Nurse family.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge other Spartans nurses who are present today.

So if you are an alumni of the college, can you please stand and be recognized?

So exciting.

Thank you.

Today you shine.

You have within you the best preparation, knowledge and compassion for patients.

We know this to be true because you've done all that was required of you.

The exams, the physical assessments, clinical hours, simulations and the ever important skill of hand washing.

You've studied hard and proven your ability to be a professional nurse, which makes MSU very proud.

You.

You've also been gifted with a legacy of excellence from the College of Nursing, one that you now carry forth, spreading the wisdom to all that you care for.

A legacy is a gift, one that is given to those who came before us and established the path that we now follow.

They include my fellow board members, faculty, staff members who work in this caring institution.

Your families and your friends who all knew you could do it.

The support has been invaluable and today they also shine with you.

We ask that you stay connected.

Let us know where you are, what you're doing, share your stories, your successes, and your challenges as you move throughout your career.

We will be here waiting to hear from you.

congratulations.

You did it.

It's a great feeling.

Keep shining and don't forget to take MSU with you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Doctor Jones.

Nurses are on the front lines of health care and comprise the largest health care workforce.

You need to hear that clearly.

Nurses are the largest health care workforce.

I used to say that there are ten nurses for every three physicians, but apparently that statistic has changed.

There are now five nurse for every physician, and you all now join 5.2 million nurses in the United States.

Our Spartan nurses are ver well-educated, very hardworking, and determined to mak a difference in health outcomes.

The faculty and staff and I could not be prouder of the spring 2025 graduates.

So on behalf of the College of Nursing faculty and staff, congratulations to our graduates, to their families, friends and loved one who helped them on this academic journey and spurred them on.

As Spartan nurses we know that you will represent the College of Nursing and the nursing profession with high integrity as yo provide exemplary health care.

As we close our ceremony, please join me in thanking the Lansing Concert Band and soloist, Kathy Forest for leading us in our music today.

And no I would ask that the graduates, their guests and faculty please stand as you are able to join us in singing the first stanza of Michigan State University's alma mater, MSU shadows.

MSU we love thy shadows When twilight silence falls Flushing deep and softly paling Oer ivy covered halls Beneath the pines well gather To give our faith so true Sing our love for Alma Mater And thy praises MSU.

(MSU Fight Song)