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Emory School of Nursing welcomes newest graduates
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Melanie Kieve
Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
Graduates smiling at camera before graduation

Graduates celebrate with one another before the pre-licensure graduation ceremony.

The Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing welcomed 337 graduates into its alumni community during the graduation ceremonies held on Friday, Dec. 13, at Emory’s Woodruff PE Center. 

The School of Nursing organized two ceremonies to honor its graduates. The first was the Winter Diploma, Pinning, and Awards Ceremony for pre-licensure Master of Nursing (MN) and Distance Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (DABSN) graduates. The second was the Winter Diploma and Awards Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of post-licensure Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), post-graduate certificate, and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students.

This year, 152 pre-licensure students and 185 post-licensure students graduated. These new alumni are set to make an impact as they join the nursing workforce for the first time, advance their careers into leadership roles or specialized fields, or pursue further nursing education.

Awards and Recognitions

The Silver Bowl Award, the highest award bestowed upon graduating students:

  • DABSN: Helen Andrews Pabon, BSN
  • MN: Elijah Goldberg, MN, and Jasmine Ofodu, MN
  • MSN: Sarah Woodmansee, MSN

The Compassion and Caring Award, given to graduating students who demonstrate the caring spirit of the school’s namesake, Nell Hodgson Woodruff:

  • DABSN: Judith Onuwa, BSN
  • MN: Annie Le, MN
  • MSN: Morgan Thibodeaux, MSN, MN, RN

The Heart of the Students Award, given to faculty and staff for their dedication to students:

  • DABSN: Deanna Womack, RN, CNM, MSN, MPH
  • DNP: Paula Tucker, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP
  • MN: Kathy Forte, RN, MS, CPNP, DBE
  • MSN: Meredith Farmer, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC

Jennifer Crook, DNP, MPH, RN, received the DNP Transformational Leader Award, given to a DNP student whose leadership impacts the broader community.

The ceremonies also featured words of welcome and congratulations from Emory University Board of Trustees member Cindy Sanborn; Dean Linda McCauley, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN; and Emory Nurses Alumni Association President Donté Flanagan, DNP, CRNA, FAANA.

With a nearly 25 percent enrollment growth over the past five years, the School of Nursing holds graduation ceremonies in May, August and December.


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