News Releases
University of Maryland School of Nursing Graduates State's Largest Class of Nurses (see photos)
May 21, 2013
Baltimore, Md. - For the first time as dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, led UMSON graduates into the 1st Mariner Arena on Friday, May 17, to celebrate the successful completion of their nursing degrees. The Class of 2013, consisting of 275 Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 332 Master of Science, 17 Doctor of Nursing Practice, and 14 PhD graduates, is the largest class of nursing graduates in the state of Maryland.
Kathleen Buckley, PhD, RN, IBCLC, associate professor and chair of the faculty council, welcomed graduates, family members, faculty, and friends.
In her Convocation address, Dean Kirschling encouraged students to embrace the many opportunities afforded by the nursing profession.
“You have chosen a career that will provide you with tremendous opportunities over your lifetime. You will have opportunities to redesign the work that you do—in ways that cannot be predicted or imagined today. I encourage you to embrace these opportunities with the courage, open-mindedness, and knowledge that your education at the University of Maryland School of Nursing has positioned you for—to not simply accomplish, but to excel and to lead. And remember, every challenge you encounter is a chance for success.”
Later in the day, UMSON graduates participated in the University of Maryland, Baltimore Commencement ceremony at 1st Mariner Arena, where graduates heard the inspiring words of keynote speaker Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal (ret.), MS, MA, a senior fellow at Yale University.
“Whatever your professional training is, your positions of leadership are going to require you to empathize with the communities you serve, and with the individuals you lead. You won’t be able to cure every ill, but you should work hard to understand as deeply as possible the circumstances that affect those around you,” he said.
View the 2013 Convocation Photos
# # #
The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largestnursing schools, and is ranked eleventh nationally. Enrolling nearly 1,700 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.