The Summer Pennsylvanian
Surrounded by the impressive wood paneling of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts' Verizon Hall, home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the most recent graduates of the School of Nursing marked the end of their time at Penn Monday afternoon.
The ceremony, which Nursing Dean Afaf Meleis said marked "a bittersweet time," honored and conferred degrees upon the departing undergraduates, graduate students and doctoral candidates.
Three graduates, selected by their peers, addressed the class and the audience of supporters. Caroline Canty, receiving her bachelor's in nursing, noted the many achievements and honors of her classmates. She described the challenge of nursing with a quote from Civil War nurse and founder of the Red Cross Clara Barton, saying, "I defy the tyranny of precedent."
Master's degree recipient Christopher Lee recounted the tale of stranded Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton's daring rescue of his crew, using it as an example of the human ability to overcome adversity.
Doctoral graduate Christina Calamaro noted the need for nurses to work "always for the benefit of the patient" and said that her class will "continue to bring honor and accolade" to the Nursing School.
The keynote speaker at the event was Nancy Woods, dean of the University of Washington School of Nursing, who received an honorary degree at the main Commencement ceremony Monday morning. Meleis introduced Woods by saying that she "defines the national agenda in women's health."
In her remarks, Woods highlighted the urgent demand for professional nurses, telling the graduates, "the need for your services is both immediate and profound." After chronicling her passion for and progress in the field of women's health, she challenged those present to discover their own interests within the field of nursing.
Melanie Davis, the mother of a master's degree recipient, said that while the ceremony did not need to be quite as long as it was, "the speakers were excellent."
Kate Murphy, who graduated with a bachelor's degree, said that Canty "was really able to sum up our experience" and added that Woods' account of working in the field gave the graduates "a feeling that we'll be doing the same thing in years to come."
