UIC Nursing to celebrate 2019 graduates
body copy Heading link
On May 9, the UIC College of Nursing will celebrate the graduation of 282 students at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The commencement ceremony will take place at the Credit Union 1 Arena (formerly the UIC Pavilion).
“We’re very proud of these students and of the 103 who graduated in December [2018],” says Dean Terri Weaver. “We’re glad to have played an important role in producing 385 caregivers, administrators, educators, researchers and advocates—all current and future nurse leaders—to enrich our profession throughout Illinois and well beyond.”
Mary Beth Kingston, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, will address the graduates as the 2019 commencement speaker. Kingston is chief nursing officer of Advocate Aurora Health and executive vice president and chief nurse executive of Aurora Health Care. Advocate Aurora Health is among the largest not-for-profit health systems in the U.S., employing more than 22,000 nurses. Kingston is also the current president of the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
Student speakers will be David Bracho, representing the undergraduate class, and Minseung Chu, a doctor of nursing practice student who will represent graduate students.
Among the graduates will be BSN student Mikailla Northern, a UIC gymnast whose sports injuries and bout with cancer during college have only strengthened her desire to be the best nurse she can be.
Also graduating is BSN student Nina Ambida, who battled abuse and homelessness to complete her degree.
The commencement ceremony will also honor Mariann Piano, PhD ’89, MS ’84, RN, FAAN, named the 2019 recipient of the UIC College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Piano is the Nancy and Hilliard Travis Professor of Nursing and the senior associate dean for research at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. She is also professor emerita in our college, having served on faculty for more than 20 years.