(energetic music) (audience applauding) (audience chattering) (energetic music) (audience applauding) (audience chattering) (energetic music) (audience applauding) (audience chattering) (energetic music) (audience applauding) (audience chattering) (energetic music) (audience shouting) (audience applauding) (energetic music) (audience applauding) (audience cheering) (energetic music) (audience shouting) (energetic music) (audience shouting) (energetic music) (audience shouting) (energetic music) (audience cheering) (energetic music) (audience applauding) (audience faintly speaking) (faculty laughing) - As interim dean to the College of Nursing, I am so pleased to welcome you to the College of Nursing Spring 2022 Commencement and Pinning Ceremony.

At this time, (audience applauding) at this time, would individuals please stand as they are comfortable for the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" performed by the Lansing Concert Band Brass Quintet, and soloist, Kathy Forrest.

(energetic music) ♪ O say, can you see ♪ ♪ By the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hail'd ♪ ♪ At the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ O'er the ramparts we watch'd ♪ ♪ Were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ And the rocket's red glare ♪ ♪ The bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ Gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ That our flag was still there ♪ ♪ O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ O'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪ (audience applauds) - Thank you, and please be seated.

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

As members of our students support network, you played a pivotal role in their academic success.

Today, we celebrate the graduates of the traditional Bachelors of Science in Nursing Program.

The accelerated second degree, Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, and the Bachelor of Science for Registered Nurses Program.

Each of these students has completed the rigorous didactic and clinical coursework to meet the Bachelor of Science in Nursing requirements.

We are pleased that each of these graduates has chosen the nursing profession, and we are proud to have them represent Michigan State University, and I will, as an aside, just say, everyone should wish them Happy Nurses Week.

They are a part of a proud tradition of over 70 years of Spartan nurses contributing to citizens healthcare worldwide.

Graduation is a very exciting time, it marked significant accomplishments in individual's lives and represents both an end and a beginning.

These graduates are starting a career in one of the most essential and trusted healthcare professions as identified by Americans for the last 20 consecutive years.

Nurses are with individuals during every critical life passage.

In fact, everyone in this room has likely had an experience where expert nursing care was necessary for themselves or a loved one.

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

We are proud of them and will follow their career with much enthusiasm.

Class of 2022, we are confident that you will be nursing leaders.

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.

You're supposed to clap.

(audience applauding) The entire college of nursing community is celebrating these graduates.

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

I would first like to recognize the extraordinary efforts made by our college faculty during the pandemic.

Every semester was offered unique challenges and a great deal of uncertainty.

And if I mentioned the word flexibility one more time, they might grown.

(Leigh laughing) However, our faculty quickly adapted while meeting the students needs in every classroom and during every clinical experience.

I cannot thank them enough for their hard work and dedication this past year or two years, excuse me.

Thank you all very much.

(audience applauding) It is an honor and a privilege to introduce our keynote speaker to you this morning.

Kathleen Nowicki Schwartz is a member of the College of Nursing Class of 1971.

She began working as a staff nurse at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, and held various management positions in nursing and hospital administration over the last 18 years.

She completed a Master's of Business Administration at the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management Executive MBA.

In 1985, while serving as Vice President of Community Services at St. Joseph Mercy.

Since 1990, her focus has been on voluntary community service family, as it should be, recreation and travel.

Kathy is a founding member of the College of Nursing Board of Visitors serving since 1997.

And she chaired the Board of Visitors for many years.

She also served in two dean search committees and two capital campaign committees for the College of Nursing.

In addition, Kathy was a member of the College of Nursing Alumni Board from 1995 to 2007, serving three terms as president.

Under her leadership, a College of Nursing Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund was created, and student representatives began participating on the Alumni Board.

She also co-chaired the College's 50th Birthday Celebration in 2000.

In addition, she has enjoyed serving as the MC many times for the annual scholarship event.

In 2012, Kathy was honored to receive the College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award.

Kathy is a former member of the MSU Alumni Association National Board, and served from 1995 to 1999.

She chaired the National Board from 1998 to 1999, and she worked with other past board chairs to create a board endowed scholarship fund supporting international studies.

Kathy received the MSUAA Alumni Service Award in 2002.

Kathy and her husband, Mike, are members of the Jonathan L. Snyder Society, which established an endowed fund in the College of Nursing to enhance the excellence of the college in areas of management, leadership, teaching, research, and practice.

They also funded student commons in the Bot Building, and if you haven't seen it, you should stop by, it's beautiful, for nursing education and research.

In addition, with a desire to assist those who will educate future generations of nurses, the Schwartz's created an endowed scholarship for students pursuing a PhD.

Kathy is a member of the National Honor Society for Nursing called the Sigma Theta Tau International.

She is an active volunteer with numerous community organizations and activities in and around Birmingham, Michigan.

She enjoys gardening, crafts, knitting, and genealogy.

Kathy and Mike love to travel, attend sporting and cultural events, and spend time with family and friends.

Ms. Nowicki Schwartz will offer some critical guidance to the graduates.

Please join me in welcoming Kathy Nowicki Schwartz back to campus today for the keynote speech.

(audience applauding) - Thank you so much, Interim Dean Small.

Good morning, distinguished guests, faculty members and staff, family and friends of the Class of 2022.

Good morning and congratulations new graduates of Michigan State University College of Nursing.

As a graduate of the college myself, it is truly my great honor and privilege to be with you on this special day.

You have had to face challenges these past couple of years, that one could truly say no other MSU College of Nursing graduates had ever faced.

Taking classes, studying, completing your clinical experiences, learning and interacting with faculty and each other, while living through a pandemic.

You have had to be strong, dedicated, determined, while doing all of what was necessary to achieve your dreams.

I salute and applaud all of you.

Another round.

(audience applauding) I would also like to acknowledge and congratulate the many student award recipients in this talented class.

We are very proud of all of you as well.

In thinking of what to say to you today, I thought of the platitudes and cliches that one often hears on a momentous day such as this, like this is your day.

This isn't the end, it's the beginning.

The future belongs to you.

Well, these little statements are trite, but they are true.

This really is your special day.

This isn't the end.

As Dean Small said, "It is really a beginning," and your future does belong to you, and it's up to you as to what you do with it.

Right now, you may be experiencing excitement, joy, exhaustion, pride, or maybe just relief.

Tomorrow or maybe Monday, you'll begin to think, how am I going to remember all the things that I learned?

How will I put that knowledge to use out there in the real world?

How will I perform as I begin or continue my career as a nurse, no longer a student?

That memory of how I felt as a new grad, even though it was 51 years ago is really fresh in my mind still.

When I started working at St. Joe in Pontiac, Michigan, I wondered if I was competent enough, organized enough to take care of all of the patients that I had been assigned to care for.

Would I know what to watch for?

What to do?

What to say?

You will find as I did that with some coaching and good mentors along the way, the effort that you have put into your studies here, at MSU along with your clinical experiences has built a body of knowledge that will allow you to succeed.

That is not to say you won't have to work hard or that you won't have more to learn, but you have a fantastic base on which to build and grow, if you are willing.

Some of you graduates today who have already been working as RNs, can surely identify with this memory as well.

And I know that you'll go out there and continue to be good mentors to new first time grads.

Today, I want to share with you some thoughts on practices that might be helpful to you in your careers, whether you find yourself working in a clinic, in a school, in academia, in a voluntary organization, or in a hospital like I did.

Although I may tend to focus on the hospital role, I think you will make the translation.

You have likely been exposed to these concepts before by your family, your friends, your professors here at MSU or other mentors.

I doubt that there will be much that I say that you haven't heard before or that is new to you.

I just ask you to think about these points as they will relate to you now, as a nurse.

Sometimes we forget to follow through on these concepts, and sometimes it just take a little while for us to put them all in action.

Number one, show up and do your best.

This means be on time, be in the present, participate, volunteer, both for projects and experiences at work and in the community.

For example, at St. Joe, I served on committees, participated in a talent show, led the United Way Campaign.

Some of these things had nothing to do with being a nurse, but I was exposed to other units in nursing, as well as other departments within the hospital.

I found out a bit more about how things worked in a hospital.

I met other employees and this exposure resulted in other opportunities.

Always do your best.

This is what your patients and clients will expect of you and what you should expect of yourselves.

Number two, maintain or develop good character.

As a nurse, you must be someone who is honest, has integrity, who is ethical, and can be dependent upon.

Follow those who set good examples, set a good example yourself, and choose friends and mentors wisely.

Be positive, help others to succeed, and give of yourself.

Having a good character applies both personally and professionally.

And again, as Dean Small said in January of this year, the Gallup poll reported that nurses were the most trusted profession for 20 years running.

I know that you will have the opportunity to make this ranking continue for many years to the future.

Number three, never stop learning.

Early on, find a mentor then later be a mentor.

You will learn from both experiences.

You'll also learn from positive and negative examples of what others say and do.

Keep up to date in your area of nursing, as well as in the broader healthcare environment or learn new skills to prepare for other opportunities.

In my own career, I had been a supervisor, and then a department head in nursing, but realized I could use some additional skills in management and finance.

I decided to obtain an MBA, which then also prepared me for other roles at the hospital.

Number four, communicate, talk with your colleagues, your mentor, your manager.

Speak and write clearly and correctly.

This is a skill to perfect.

It will serve you well in all facets of your life.

Talk to people face to face.

Oh, I know this is the age of texting, and emailing, and tweeting, but be willing to walk down the hall and discuss an idea, an issue or a problem, rather than just sending that email or text.

Try it, you may save time in the long run.

You will not be misunderstood, and you can actually see how the other person is responding real time.

And remember to make eye contact for those discussions face to face.

Number five, be nice.

Be the kind of person you'd like to work with, or hang out with.

Smile, have a sense of humor, admit when you're wrong, don't seek to blame others.

Be able to laugh at yourself, be kind and generous with your knowledge and time.

Smiling and being nice is contagious.

This is a pandemic we can go for.

Why don't you go out and start one.

You'll also help keep blood pressures, your own and those of others in a healthier range as well.

Number six, take risks.

I mean the good kind of risks, like trying something new, speaking up when you're a bit afraid to, volunteering for a task that might seem a reach for you.

Be willing to fail and learn from failure.

Remember that baseball players are a huge success when they get one hit out of every three times that bat.

Number seven, practice the golden rule.

This you may say is corny, but it is true.

It's a simple ethical code to live by.

Treat others like you would like to be treated.

Treat the things at your workplace, the way you treat the things at home, your own things.

Leave the environment and the people you meet better for having been around you.

Number eight, have a life, a real life, not just a work life, not just a virtual or digital life, a real life.

Give it all you've got while you're working and do the same with your personal time.

Go for a balance.

Sometimes it's kind of difficult, take your vacations.

It took me a while to learn to do that.

But enjoy your family, friends, nature, art, music, sports, photography, whatever.

Volunteer for causes you believe in.

Participate in your community.

Look around you at the beautiful world we have, and your family and friends who are here with you today.

All of this helps you be the best you can be when you are in your role as a nurse.

And it's what you would tell your patients and clients to do, right?

I'm adding two more points as a result of more firsthand experiences, myself and others, in hospitals observations that I made more recently.

So then number nine, develop your own system for organizing your day and your care of patients or clients.

It's important early in your career, or as you take on a new role to figure out how you're going to get done, all the things you need to get done.

You have surely experienced that already as student nurse.

Make notes, figure out how to save steps, focus on how to remember the things that you promised you would do, things you promised perhaps a patient or your colleagues.

Have a plan for that.

You'll be a lot less frustrated at the end of a day.

I would note that I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly in terms of organizational skills during my time as a nurse, and then also observing as a patient or a family member.

So go for the good.

Number 10, connect with your patients, their families, and other professionals and staff.

I'm afraid I've also seen too many nurses who are mainly connected to that computer and med cart that they were pushing around on the unit.

Remember that you, the nurse, are the patient's best advocate and perhaps the most knowledgeable about the whole patient.

If you accept and step into that connecting role, you can be the link for the patient, the family, other professionals.

Go on rounds with physicians, stay in the room and see what the physical therapist is teaching your patient, and meet the patient's family members.

I've always felt that developing these kind of advocate roles and relationships resulted in the most rewarding experiences for me as a nurse and as a person too.

I have seen some very good examples of this caring advocate role in nurses, and, of course, I've always thought they must be Spartan nurses.

My husband, Mike, thought that I should add one more trait.

In a view of what it is, I thought I should do so.

So number 10 plus 1 then is be flexible.

Again, something that you mentioned, Dean Small.

I think that all of you have really learned and practiced that skill to the health.

So probably over these last two years, so maybe there's enough said about being flexible.

So there you have it, a top 10 list you might say.

Well, okay, a top 10 plus 1.

Simple stuff really.

You learned a lot of it before you got here, didn't you?

Hopefully, you've been perfecting some of those behaviors while you've been a student.

And if you are not quite up to speed, that's okay, you can work on it and you've got time.

Start now, it's not too late.

These practices of showing up, being of good character, lifelong learning, communicating, being nice, taking risks, treating others well, finding balance, and work, and play, and being flexible will provide a framework into which you can fit all of the knowledge and skills you learned here in the MSU College of Nursing.

Then add in that system of organization and being your patient's best advocate, and you've got it.

Being a nurse can be very challenging, but it's also very, very rewarding.

Some of you already know that and some of you will soon find out.

As I mentioned earlier, you have already faced challenges like none of us can imagine, and I think that's likely to continue.

But I hope you know that you have the knowledge, the preparation, the experience, and the credentials to succeed in anything you may want to achieve in nursing.

So go out there and make all of your fellow alums proud, and don't be a stranger.

We can't wait to hear about your accomplishments.

Congratulations, and best wishes to all of you on this special day.

Thank you.

(audience applauding) - That was wonderful, thank you very much.

I have to just forward my notes a little bit.

Thank you, Kathy.

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

This is a tradition that began in 1916, a 106 years ago.

We are proud to continue that tradition today with our spring 2022 graduates.

The ceremony provides the opportunity to recognize each graduate individually 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 the special status of our graduates.

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

This program supports the cost associated with the pinning of our baccalaureate graduates while linking donors to our newest Spartan nurses in a significant way.

I want to point out that you will hear RN after some of the students who are announced today.

These individuals hold an associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution and have already worked as a nurse in the field.

These students have sought the opportunity to complete their baccalaureate to advance their understanding of the expanding professional roles nurses play in an ever evolving healthcare environment.

The BSN also prepares these graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in graduate education.

Dr. Pallav Deka, Dr. Hua Lu, and Dr. Patty West, faculty in the College of Nursing will have the honor of pinning each of our graduates today.

At this time with the candidates, please follow the direction of Ms. Tara Gazdecki, Academic Advisor.

Please be seated once you have crossed the stage and taken your picture.

We now welcome Ms. Jessica Knerr, Interim Assistant Director of the Office of Student Affair and Advisor Extraordinaire to the microphone to announce the graduates as they walk across the stage.

(audience shouting) - [Student] Go Terrence!

(audience shouting) - [Jessica] Terrence Lindsey.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Alexandra Marie Pringle.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Madeline Walsh.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Tesa Marie Kenig Shenet.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Trevor Jana, with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Michael Combs, RN.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Catherine Elizabeth Bellage with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Grace Ryan with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Grace Colungosky.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Alyssa Cafarsky with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Natalie Anne Scarcely.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Courtney Jean Roof.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Casey Marie Kramer with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Jenna Nicole Brown with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Mandy Yang with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Adriana Randy.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Karen Pham.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Brittany Simpson with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Tiffany Hang.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Eric Farhoti.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) - Congratulations.

- [Jessica] Samantha Eileen Sparks.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Stephanie Mile.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Jillian McKenna.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Olivia Rose Walder with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Julia Mary Brunicardi.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Taylor Drescher.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Riley Walter.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Shelby Stockwell.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Samantha Paige Clark.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Nicole Denise Horton with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Sarah Rachel Conlis with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Claire Pasdula with high honors.

(audience applauding) Abigail Luisa Suning Chrysler with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Isabelle Beck with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Caitlin Rose Zuremba with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Bridget Owens.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Kendall Piper with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Rachel Anne Rosati.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Megan Jane Murphy.

(audience applauding) Jennifer Gilbert.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Anna Ruth Barber with honors.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Anthony Quak Angyuen RN.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Jacqueline Alvarez RN.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Allison Rose McGregor with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Ashley Hallick.

(audience applauding) Alexander Michael Simpson.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Emily Ann Daniels with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Olivia Morris.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Piper Hunt.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Molly Ferguson.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Grace Murphy with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Amy Christine Lawler.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Jamie Largent with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Christine Marie Telly.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Gabriela Hayes with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Allison Duff with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Hannah Gabrielle Kaller.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Christina McNeil.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Kaylee Nicole Berso with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Taylor Rawl with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Clayton Redding with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Ethan McGregor.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Jessica K. Myers.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Audrey Elizabeth Jasu with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Claire Aller.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Emma Rathburn.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Jasmine Krista Julea Patone with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Krista Proch.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Megan Redgerello with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Jared Norris.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Kenzie Anne Cole with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Alyssa Hileg with high honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Madeline Hiscoch with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Lauren Latif.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Victoria Anne Matovsky.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Kayla Matthew with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Kate Hervy.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) Kelsey Cooney with honors.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) - I wanna take a minute to thank Dr. Pointdexter for assisting, and we need to recognize Dr.

Norm Beauchamp.

Who's the Executive Vice President of Health Sciences.

So thank you both.

(audience applauding) All right, graduates.

Here's the moment you've been waiting for.

Will the baccalaureate candidates please rise.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) On behalf of the president of the university 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 for which you have been recommended with all rights and distinctions to which they entitle you.

And according to the tradition, signifying the passage of one level of learning onto the next.

You may now move your tassels from the right side of your caps to the left.

(audience applauding) (audience cheering) - Please be seated.

My congratulations to all of our graduates.

This ceremony represents the culmination of an educational journey and the beginning of a lifetime of service.

It is an achievement worthy of celebration, and we are here this morning and someone is helping us (professors laughing) to celebrate each of you.

This semester, you completed the academic program requirements for a challenging program of study, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

We applaud you for your hard work, commitment and dedication.

I hope you wear your pin with pride.

People will recognize you are a Spartan nurse by your pin and know that you will provide the best healthcare to them.

You join other Spartan nurses and will forever be a part of the college of nursing and Michigan State University.

Let's give them another hand.

(audience applauding) Dr. Kathy Poindexter, Interim Associate Dean for Academic affairs will now recognize members of the graduating class who have gone above and beyond inside and outside of the classroom.

(audience applauding) - I just wanna say, thank you.

I get the best part of the ceremony here.

And I thank you, Dean Small, Spartan nurses demonstrate exemplary leadership in the classroom and the professional community.

Let us take this opportunity to recognize and honor those students who have exhibited an extraordinary level of commitment, service and leadership.

Before I do that, I just wanna recognize and reiterate what many of you have already heard?

I don't follow scripts well, but it's important to understand that every one of you have gone above and beyond your curriculum and your program was far from the normal curriculum that we generally experience.

You have learned firsthand, the agility it's going to require to demonstrate your expertise in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

None of that we can teach you in a course or a curriculum.

You have the tools, you have the foundation, you will excel.

You've also got the tools to provide your own self-care.

It's something that our faculty have spent a lot of time to provide the ability for you to provide your own self care, to promote your own well-being.

Because I don't want to hear that our Spartan graduates are part of the statistic that half of you will leave this profession in the next two years.

You will stay.

As they say Spartan's will.

So thanks, and you've got it.

Believe in yourself.

And I wanna also kind of jump off of what Interim Dean Small said and recognize EVP and thank him for providing us with the tools, the advocacy and the support to help provide you with the curriculum you needed as we all had to rapidly change ourselves and live that changing environment to meet the needs of the healthcare system in its moment, that's not going to change.

You'll see that in the future.

So I congratulate all of you for going above and beyond any other class I have ever seen graduate.

So for that, I want an applause.

(audience applauding) Our first award is to recognize commission officers, let us take the opportunity to honor members of the senior class who will be commissioned as officers following graduation.

Please join me in recognizing Piper Hunt.

(audience cheering) And (audience cheering) this is your moment you two, and Molly Ferguson.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Who will be commissioned in the US Army following graduation.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Please also join me in recognizing, Hannah Kahler, who will be commissioned officer in the United States Air Force.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) We're very proud of you, Holly, Molly, Hannah, Molly, and Piper.

Our outstanding student award.

Every semester, we pay tribute to graduates who not only completed their academic program successfully, but were recognized by their peers and faculty for their outstanding academic achievements.

The selection of the recipient of the outstanding student award is based on educational leadership, scholarship and clinical practice.

That's a lot.

Students are nominated by faculty and students and selected by the undergraduate program committee.

We're proud to honor Terrence Lindsey.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Terence will be graduating from our traditional BSN program.

And we also wanna recognize Deanna Kovacevich who will be graduating from our RN to BSN program as the outstanding students for their respective student classes.

(audience applauding) Thank you both.

The Board of Trustees Awards, Michigan State University Board of Trustees recognizes graduates with the highest scholastic average from every graduating class every year.

All recipients had 4.0 GPAs at the close of the fall semester '22.

The semester, the board recognized 175 students from across the university with the board of trustee award.

Our own Isabel Beck, Kayley Berceau, (audience cheering) (audience applauding) Isabel, stand please.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Kayley Berceau.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Taylor Rahl.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) And Cait Zaremba.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) All graduates from our traditional nursing program.

And once again, we are so proud of all of you.

The DAISY Award was offered this year for the first time and what the DAISY Award is, is for extraordinary nursing students designed to remind students why they wanted to be a nurse, even on those hardest days when you wanted to walk out.

By recognizing nursing students for the above and beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families, we celebrate what it truly means to be a nurse.

We honor the nurse patient connection that makes all the difference to patients and to their families.

The undergraduate student selected to receive the Spring '22 DAISY Award this year was Molly Ferguson.

Molly, please stand again.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) The highest value we hold as a Spartan Nurse.

The Spirit Award, the Spring '22 Spirit Award recognizes the student who has inspired her classmates and fostered positive energy in the classrooms.

Ally Pringle was selected by her classmates, (audience applauding) as the recipient of this year's award.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Ally represented the college as the banner carrier yesterday for the university convocation.

Again, please join me in congratulating, Ally, and thanking her for exemplary spirit, positive attitude, and can dos approach.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) High honors and awards.

Students who at attend grade point averages between 3.92 and 4.0 are awarded university high honor.

University honor is awarded to students who were in grade point averages between 3.77 and 3.91.

Both of these honors are designated by gold honor courts while all the students graduating with honor and high honor, please stand and accept our congratulations.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) It's an amazing achievement for a very rigorous curriculum In recognition of Michigan State University's ongoing commitment to study abroad.

I ask all graduates who participated in a study abroad program during their MSU years to also stand, so that we may recognize you.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Even in greater feat during pandemic years.

Student Advisory Council.

Nursing students at all levels have the opportunity to represent their classmates on the Student Advisory Council.

The Student Advisory Council advises our administrators and faculty on curriculum and student needs.

Will those individuals please stand to be recognized.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) And I know there were more throughout the years who didn't stand up, but they were a very strong voice and had very strong advocacy for all of you.

So we thank them as well.

RN to BSN students.

Today, we have graduates have already gained experienced as licensed registered nurses.

Will all of our RN to BSN graduates please stand, and again, accept our congratulations.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Next.

I would like to honor students who participated in the college of nursing's Achieving Culturally Competent Education and Student Success also known as ACCESS.

Will those individuals please stand.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) (woman faintly speaking) (faculty laughing) Students who participate in the Nursing Student Association are dedicated to ongoing professional development.

Members of this organization participate in service projects and continuous leadership training to grow as a student and a profession in nursing.

Will members of the Nursing Student Association, please stand to be recognized.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) I'd like to say I had the honor of speaking in Salt Lake City for the National Convention.

And these students did a tremendous job of representing our college in all of the Spartan Nurses.

So thank you for all of your professionalism during that convention.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) I would now like to welcome Dr. Susan Buchholz, the Associate Dean for Research to the podium.

(audience applauding) - 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 locally and around the globe.

Here in the College of Nursing, we believe in the power of research to have a lasting effect that will enhance nursing science and improve health outcomes in our communities.

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

We also seek to share these experiences in the classroom and throughout collaborative opportunities with faculty that allow our graduates to grow as learners and critical thinkers who will help advance the nursing science.

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

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

Students involved in the undergraduate research program gained valuable experience as part of a research team preparing for graduate school and receiving inspiration to pursue a doctorate in nursing.

Will those who have served in undergraduate research assistant roles, please stand to be recognized.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) Thank you.

To all of our graduates, I encourage you to stay, engaged in research and scholarship and allow yourself to be curious and innovative as you move forward in your career.

Congratulations to all of you.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Dr. Buchholz.

It is now my honor and my privilege to recognize, and to introduce our student speaker.

(audience cheering) (faculty laughing) We had the privilege of watching Terence exemplify what it means to be successful and to show how strong someone's dedication values and goals can help you grow above and beyond any type of hurdle or unclear path to get to where you want to achieve.

And for that, he has the utmost respect of every one of us as faculty and administrators in this program.

So it was an honor to watch that throughout these past four years.

Our outstanding speaker Terrance Lindsey was (student faintly speaking) (audience laughing) We're gonna see his name later on aren't we someday?

He's gonna be back here.

Was also selected as this semester student speaker, Terrence is from the West Side of Chicago.

When ask what motivated him to become a nurse, he shared, he chose nursing as a profession to help make a difference in low income communities and help decrease health disparities for people of color.

During Terrence's time as an undergraduate student, he is undertaken, he has taken on several leadership roles, including representing his cohort on the student advisory council.

Terrence has also served as member of rising black men.

The purpose of rising black men is to uplift the black community at Michigan State University and the greater Lansing Community throughout mentorships of first year black males and black males in K through 12 Lansing School System.

(student faintly speaking) He is also a member of MSU's Chapter of Global Medical Brigades, an international movement of students in medical professionals, working alongside local communities and staff to implement sustainable health systems.

Terrence has learned and served on three study abroad programs in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and in Mexico, each (student faintly speaking) (audience cheering) each medical outreach, we're gonna have to extend our list here, Karen, tell us that.

(faculty laughing) Each medical outreach program helps give back to communities and developing countries that need medical support.

After graduation, Terrance will serve as a registered nurse at the Cleveland Clinic and work in the cardiovascular ICU unit.

(audience cheering) After a few years of experience, Terrence plans to pursue his dreams of becoming a certified registered nurse and anesthetist.

Terrence will now address the Class of 2022.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) - I was thinking to myself, that guy sound familiar.

(audience cheering) (faculty laughing) (Terence laughing) Greetings friends, family, faculty, alumni, and of course, Michigan State College of Nursing graduating class of 2022.

You get yourself of applause.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) My name is Terrance Lindsey, and I am extremely honored and grateful to be addressing you all today.

It is such a blessing to be here in person to be surrounded about future nurses, healthcare innovators, and ready to be put in practice everything we have learned here at Michigan State University.

Thank you for our academic leaders who is with us today.

I wanna acknowledge those on the platform party, our interim dean, our associate dean, our faculty, our staff, and of course, our guests.

I also wanna thank my family.

I wanna thank my mom.

I wanna thank NLCP.

I wanna thank ESSA, and I wanna thank my mentor and I wanna thank my friends.

Without you all, I won't be standing here today.

So I appreciate you all.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) (student faintly speaking) You're welcome.

(faculty laughing) There's an old school song that goes, I hope you never feel those mountains in the distance and never settle for the path of least resistance.

Our class have never settled for the past of least resistance.

We have succeeded in one of the most competitive nursing programs in the country.

And this is because we did not fit those mountains in a distance.

Those mountains have made us who we are.

Those mountains have made us resilient.

We are all have had mountains we overcome.

And let me show you some of mine.

I grew up on the West Side of Chicago.

I have always had hopes and dream, helping my family escape the hood where so many dreams are crushed and still crushed to this day.

As a young boy, I was involved in everything simply to stay out the streets.

I had hopes and dreams of becoming an NFL player because like so many other low income neighborhoods, we saw sports as a way to escape our environment.

On August 6th, 2015, I was 15 years old.

My life changed forever.

(woman faintly speaking) My older brother was involved, my older brother was involved in a serious car accident that left him in intensive care unit for three months.

Those injuries he suffered from the results of getting his leg amputated.

And during those months of waiting for his recovery, all I can remember was those nurses came for my brother to sun up to sun down.

And this was the first time I really and truly saw myself.

I thought I wanna be just like those nurses who helped save my brother's life.

That sitting in the stands right now to this day.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) With this professional goal in mind, I had to find a way to go to college, but simply had no idea how I get there.

I did not have any parents who attended a four year college.

I did not have any other siblings or cousin who could advise me on a college admission process either, but despite all the obstacles, despite all those mountains, I was resilient in my purpose.

And just like those nurses that work day and night to heal my brother, I work day and night making a way outta no way.

I climb those mountains.

I was resilient.

I earned great grades.

I earned a scholarship and that young boy from the West Side of Chicago got admitted to Michigan State University College of Nursing Program.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) And of course, I met all of you, the 22 graduating class that embodies the same spirit of resilience, but there are still mountains climb.

The COVID pandemic immediately impact the nursing profession was had us as nursing students wondering is this even the right profession for us?

And we thought it was right.

We set our minds to do whatever it take to become registered nurses.

We put in a long eight hour zone zone, and we squeezed in two naps in between each lecture, (faculty laughing) Even performing our 1 through 40 on the pillow or Teddy Bear when we didn't have anyone to practice on.

(faculty laughing) And never forget the time we had took our central line checkouts, not once but twice.

And we'll never forget the nursing school concept that all answers are right, except one is better.

(faculty laughing) And to select all of apply all the teacher's favorite.

(faculty laughing) My question was why, why would they set us up like that?

(faculty laughing) But through it all MSU of course nursing faculty has provided us with the rigorous academic program that prepared us to go into the real world and impact many lives.

Throughout a lesson inside out the classroom, we have all been taught resilience and a graduating class of 2022, I'm gonna leave you with this message, but before I leave you with this message, I want you to tell the person next to you, you got this.

- [Faculty] You got this.

- Don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid to close your eyes and dream, but then open your eyes to see.

For a lot of people the distance between their dreams and reality is intimidating and they get stuck and they feel those mountains in a distance.

But the only way to move forward is decide that you're gonna, you want this dream so bad that you're gonna work harder.

You're gonna get up earlier.

You're gonna stay later.

You're gonna push past the people who doubted you or even hated on you.

And I want you to be fearless and I want you to be decisive.

And I want you to make the decision that right now, that when you fail and fall to your knees, I want you to remember the power of you.

And I want you to get back on your feet and remember that you are resilient day in and day out.

And our patients will see the resilience through the transformative healthcare that we provide to them.

And then follow our example of resilience as they individual healing process.

Once a Spartan Nurse, always a Spartan Nurse.

Go green.

- [Audience] Go white.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) - Thank you.

- Appreciate you all.

(student faintly speaking) (faculty laughing) - What an amazing young man, we are all inspired by you for sure, Terence.

All right.

I have to find my, I have to look past my mountains and I have to find my spot again.

(Leigh laughs) Thank you, Terrence.

And at this time, Dr. Mary Kay Smith, President of Alpha Psi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society will offer her remarks.

(audience applauding) - What an amazing and truly memorial morning.

On behalf of Sigma Theta Tau, I would like to congratulate the graduates, family, guests, colleagues, and fellow Sigma Theta Tau members.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Sigma Theta Tau International, it is a nursing society that recognizes and supports leadership and scholarship related to practice, education and research to promote the quality of care and health of individuals and populations throughout the world.

Sigma Theta Tau was founded in 1922 with the Alpha Psi chapter established in 1969.

Membership includes thousands of nurses around the world.

In fact, it is one of the largest global organizations in existence.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of Sigma Theta Tau, another occasion to celebrate into 2022.

The 2022 Sigma Theta Tau organizational call to action asks us to be bold within three critical domains, economics, technology, and conservation.

So what does this mean?

This may be advocating for the value of nurses in the broader healthcare landscape and ensuring that nurses have a seat at the interprofessional table.

It may be integrating innovative technologies to provide better care and being empowered by technology rather than beholden to it.

It may be exploring new approaches to contemporary health issues and inequities, and as a result influencing a future that is different from today.

You are Spartan Nurses.

You are prepared to be bold.

Membership to the Alpha Psi chapter at MSU is open to students of nursing baccalaureate and graduate programs.

In addition to community leaders, meeting eligibility requirements.

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

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the 2022 Sigma Theta Tau inductees.

Please stand.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) These new members of Sigma Theta Tau International are identified today as they wear purple and white honor courts.

I would also like to ask members of the Alpha PSi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau in addition to members of other Sigma Theta Tau honor society representing other chapters to also please stand.

(student faintly speaking) Congratulations to you all and be bold.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Dr. Smith.

The college of Nursing Alumni Association would also like to offer their congratulations to Ms. Kimberly Jones, a member of the Nursing Alumni Association.

We will now offer, she will now offer her remarks.

Please welcome me, welcome.

Excuse me, please join.

You have thrown me totally off.

(faculty laughing) Oh, that was just riveting, but anyway.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Jones.

(audience applauding) - Good morning.

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

Over 8,000 graduates have come before you and we welcome you to the Spartan Nurse family.

I'd like to take a moment to recognize any other Spartan Nurses that are here today.

If you are here out there, it's a little hard to see out there, but please rise so that we can recognize you.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) (Kimberly laughs) Okay.

(Kimberly laughs) Thank you.

Today you shine.

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

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

There's many exams, physical assessments apparently on Teddy Bears and pillows in this new age that we have.

Zoom, clinical hours when you were able to participate with them.

You've studied hard, proven your ability to be the professional nurses that make MSU very proud.

You've also been gifted with a legacy of excellence from the college of nursing.

One that you will carry forth, spreading the wisdom and care for all the patients that you'll serve.

A legacy is a gift one that's given to us by those who come before, those who establish a path that we now follow.

They include my fellow board members, faculty, staff members, working in this environment, your families and your friends who all knew that you could do this.

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

We ask that you stay connected to your Spartan home.

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'll be right here waiting to hear from you.

Congratulations.

You've done it.

You've made it.

This is a glorious day for you.

Keep shining and don't forget about your Spartan Nurse family here at home.

(audience applauding) - Thank you, Ms. Jones.

It would be remiss of me if I did not acknowledge the academic impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic.

On March 11th, 2020, President Stanley suspended face to face instruction in lectures, seminars, and classroom settings, and moved all coursework to virtual instruction.

The suspension of in-person classes created challenges for both our students and our faculty.

However, it was the grit and resilience that our Spartan nursing students have shown in completing their degrees despite a very difficult circumstances.

It has been truly remarkable.

Nurses are on the front line of this pandemic.

We know that our Spartan Nurses are well educated, hardworking, and have the determination to make a difference in this global pandemic.

The faculty staff and I could not be prouder of our spring 2022 graduates.

On behalf of the college of nursing faculty and staff, congratulations to our graduates, friends, families, and loved ones.

As Spartan Nurses, we know that you will represent the college of nursing and the nursing profession with high integrity as you provide exemplary healthcare.

As we close our ceremony, please join me in thanking the Lansing Concert Band and soloist, Kathy Forrest.

(audience applauding) I would now ask graduates, guests and faculty to please stand and join us in singing.

The first stanza of Michigan State University's Alma mater.

MSU Shadows followed by the MSU Fight Song.

The words to the Alma Mater can be found in your commencement program.

We request that our guests be seated and remain in their places until the faculty platform party and students have exited the auditorium.

Students may join guests following the recessional and once again, congratulations to you all.

(audience cheering) (audience applauding) (bright music) ♪ MSU, we love thy shadows ♪ ♪ When twilight silence falls ♪ ♪ Flushing deep and softly paling ♪ ♪ O'er ivy covered halls ♪ ♪ Beneath the pines we'll gather ♪ ♪ To give our faith so true ♪ ♪ Sing our love for Alma Mater ♪ ♪ And thy praises MSU ♪ (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (energetic music) ♪ On the banks of the Red Cedar ♪ ♪ There's a school that's known to all ♪ ♪ Its specialty is winning ♪ ♪ And those Spartans play good ball ♪ ♪ Spartan teams are never beaten ♪ ♪ All through the game they fight ♪ ♪ Fight for the only colors ♪ ♪ Green and White ♪ ♪ Go right through for MSU ♪ ♪ Watch the points keep growing ♪ ♪ Spartan teams are bound to win ♪ ♪ They're fighting with a vim ♪ ♪ Rah!

Rah!

Rah ♪ ♪ See their team is weakening ♪ ♪ We're going to win this game ♪ ♪ Fight!

Fight!

Rah!

Team, Fight ♪ ♪ Victory for MSU ♪ (audience cheering) (audience applauding) (energetic music) (audience cheering) (energetic music)