GW Nursing celebrated its 322 members of the Class of 2018 last weekend during its graduation ceremony and university-wide commencement on the National Mall.
Student speaker Dr. Troy Betts, a doctor of nursing practice graduate gave an address during the school's ceremony in Lisner Auditorium. Dr. Betts talked about growing up poor and having “surreal feelings” when he found out he was admitted to GW Nursing in Washington, D.C., a place so prominent that his son asked if he would be living in The White House.
His own journey illustrated that people could accomplish much; “If you’re in a position to wonder, then you’re in a position to succeed,” Dr. Betts said.
Dr. Susan Hassmiller, senior advisor for nursing at Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, gave the school's keynote address.
"Match your talents with the world's greatest needs," Dr. Hassmiller told graduates.
Dr. Hassmiller is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing; and a member of the Joint Commission’s National Nurse Advisory Council. She is also the 2009 recipient of the Florence Nightingale Medal, the highest international honor given to a nurse by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
She instructed the graduates to aspire to their own distinguished accomplishments. "Be a great nurse, not a just a proficient nurse," she said.
Want to relive the memories? You can view graduation and commencement photos on GW Nursing's Facebook page. A full, interrupted version of the Facebook Live Video is also available.