On Friday, May 2, College of Nursing administrators, faculty, and staff joined students, families, and distinguished guests, including Bob Carter, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and CEO for U of U Health, Trustee Curt Doman, and Trustee Katie Eccles, to celebrate 372 graduates during the 2025 Convocation ceremony at Kingsbury Hall.
Faculty and administrators congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and offered reflections on the path ahead. Graduates shared the complexity of their individual journeys, expressed gratitude to those who supported them, and spoke about the impact they hope to make in the lives of others through their future roles.
Read excerpts from the ceremony and experience the celebratory, reflective, and inspiring moments of the day:
"In a world that sometimes feels more divisive and uncertain than ever, draw strength from the community around you, and be the one who illuminates the path forward with compassion, evidence-based and patient-centered care, and unwavering commitment to both those in your care and your colleagues.
"As you leave this ceremony today, you carry your individual achievements and the collective hope of your profession. As you continue your journey, let your light shine, recognizing that each of us contributes in unique ways. For some illuminating with a small candle; for others, with a blazing torch. But remember, it's our collective light that will guide us through challenges and inspire greatness. Embrace your unique strengths and believe that, together, we can achieve the extraordinary."
—Dean Marla De Jong, PhD, RN, CCNS, FAAN
"The University of Utah strives to be an institution with unsurpassed societal impact. Thanks, in part, to the significant contributions of our College of Nursing faculty and graduates, we are well on our way. Congratulations, Class of 2025! Just as you did during your time here, may you always find ways to lead and blaze new trails wherever you are. Best wishes to each of you as you enter practice or your next phases of training."
—Bob S. Carter, MD, PhD
"None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of those around us. Our professors, who not only taught us the critical concepts of nursing but also instilled in us the values of empathy, resilience, and ethical practice; our families, who cheered us on every step of the way and understood the sacrifices we made; and our classmates, who became more than peers—they became family. We’ve learned together, struggled together, and you could even say we were traumatically bonded in Clinical Management together. Now, we celebrate together here at Kingsbury Hall."
—Amber Rowley, BS Nursing
"As we stand on the threshold of this next chapter, ready to step into the world as nurses, let’s carry forward the same passion that has gotten us here. Let’s commit to providing the best evidence-based care and striving to make a positive impact on the nursing world. Let’s use our voices and our knowledge, even when it feels daunting.
"This journey has been a collective one, and as we step forward, let’s remember that no one gets here alone and no one gets here without passion. Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey."
—Emily Knight, BS Nursing
"To our families and loved ones—thank you. Your sacrifices have made this moment possible. You have picked up the slack in our lives, from taking on extra childcare duties and hours at work to help with finances, cooking, cleaning, and just missing us when we weren’t home. Your consistent encouragement has pushed us to keep going when we felt like quitting. You are the unsung heroes of our journey, and we share this achievement with you."
—Sara Williams, NM/WH Doctor of Nursing Practice
"From here, we’ll each walk different paths. Some will go into clinical practice, others into education, research, or leadership. But whatever direction you take, I hope you carry this with you: Be the person who brings humanity into the room. Whether you're with a patient, a colleague, a student, or a family in crisis—your compassion, your presence, your kindness—they matter more than you know.
"Congratulations, Class of 2025. We made it—and I can’t wait to see the difference each of you will make in the world."
—Christopher Jon Gravett, MS Gerontology
"Let’s be the nurses who remind the world that healing is more than just curing—it’s about connection, about making people feel seen, heard, and valued. Our skills will save lives, but our kindness will change them. Our knowledge will guide treatments, but our compassion will bring comfort. And in doing so, we will honor not just this great institution but the roots from which we came.
"To my fellow graduates, we made it. We survived exams, clinicals, and even quality improvement projects. Now, let’s go out into the world and lead with empathy, uplift those in need, and leave every life we touch just a little better than we found it.
"Mālō ‘aupito. Thank you, and congratulations, Class of 2025!"
—Va Mounga, Post-MS to Doctor of Nursing Practice
