Spring 2013 Nursing Graduates Reach Milestone
This semester the University of South Florida College of Nursing graduated a total of 146 students including one Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP), six PhDs in Nursing, 49 Master’s of Science (MS), and 90 Bachelor’s of Science (BS).
At the University of South Florida College of Nursing Spring 2013 Pinning Ceremony featuring the Alumni Path of Light, May 3, 2013, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Community Engagement, Connie Visovsky, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, welcomed alumni, faculty, family and friends who were celebrating an incredible milestone in the graduates’ journey of lifelong learning as health professionals. The Pinning Ceremony is a nursing tradition which marks the transition of baccalaureate graduates from students to professional nurses.
Many of the students graduated with University honors: 20 Cum Laude, 22 Magna Cum Laude and 2 Summa Cum Laude. Additionally, 1 student, Temre Smith, earning the highest honors, Summa Cum Laude, has been chosen by the USF Alumni Association to receive the King O’Neal Scholars Award at commencement for graduating with an outstanding 4.0 GPA. Exemplar students were also recognized with several awards including Academic Excellence, Clinical Excellence, Leadership Award, Spirit of Nursing Award, Service Award, Capstone Award, Evidence Based Practice Award, and Quality & Safety Award.
Class mates and room mates, Carolyn Steel and Rachel Tax, both became the third generation of nurses in their families, and both of their mothers and grandmothers were there to celebrate with them at the Pinning Ceremony on May 3, 2013.
(Right to Left). USF Nursing Spring 2013 nursing graduate, Carolyn Steel, her grandmother, Sarah Newton, and her mother at the pinning ceremony. Steel proudly became the third generation of nurses in her family. Steel’s grandmother graduated with her nursing degree in 1973, while her mother received her bachelor’s degree in nursing at USF in 2010.
USF Nursing Spring 2013 nursing graduate, Rachel Tax (center), is pictured her grandmother, Jeremy Sherman (far right), and her mother, Misty Tax. Tax’s mother received her bachelor’s degree in nursing at USF in 1990. Tax also became the third generation of nurses in her family.
“I am fortunate to be able to participate in this pinning tradition with all of our graduating students, and was delighted to meet these two families of 3rd generation nurses (2nd Generation Bull Nurses!),” said Assistant Professor, Melissa Molinari Shelton, PhD, RN. “A call to nursing is a special bond they share with one another. As our College continues to educate the nursing leaders of tomorrow, I expect that we will certainly welcome many more Bull Nurse legacies into our family.”
At the USF Commencement Ceremony recognizing graduate students from all colleges of the university on Saturday, May 4, 2013, Spring 2013 Nursing BS-PhD graduate, Crystal L. Chapman-Lambert, MS, FNP-BC, ACRN, AAHIVS, spoke to more than 730 graduates and their friends and family during the student address. “I cannot deny that I will forever be a bull, more specifically, a bull nurse,” she said, humbled and grateful for being selected.
“I was honored and horrified because my public speaking is something that I fear, but I was up for the challenge,” Chapman-Lambert said. “Thank you to everyone at the USF College of Nursing for recognizing my hard work and dedication to the advancement of nursing science.”
Chapman-Lambert has shown tremendous success throughout her education journey at USF College of Nursing. In 2007, she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, and was the USF Nursing McKnight Doctoral Fellow. In 2011, she also received the Sigma Theta Tau International/Virginia Henderson Clinical Research Grant from Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing to allow her to conduct research on HIV-infected women’s knowledge, perceived susceptibility and seriousness of cervical cancer.
“We are all proud of Crystal, and what she has accomplished,” said USF Nursing Distinguished Professor and Thompson Professor of Oncology Nursing, Susan C. McMillan, PhD, ARNP, FAAN, who has been Chapman-Lambert’s mentor during her dissertation. “My perspective is that she is bright and articulate and will be a talented researcher and teacher. I’m proud of her, and wish her an amazing career.”
To read Crystal Chapman-Lambert’s story in its entirety click here.
For related stories on Chapman-Lambert click here.
For information about USF Commencement visit www.usf.edu/commencement
For more photos from USF Commencement May3-5, 2013 click here.
For details about USF Commencement Ceremonies held May 3-5, 2013 click here.
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