On Thursday, May 22, the University of Utah College of Nursing welcomed the Summer 2025 baccalaureate student cohort into the nursing profession as part of the Lamp of Learning ceremony.
Dean Marla De Jong warmly greeted the students and highlighted the strengths of the program:
“Students – you will collaborate with your peers from the schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and health to complete hands-on inter-professional experiences. You will interact with faculty who are actively engaged in research, scholarship and scientific endeavors, and you will learn from expert teaching faculty, including current practicing clinicians. You simply cannot receive a more comprehensive, all-encompassing experience than at the University of Utah.”
Melody Krahulec, Assistant Dean for the Baccalaureate Program, introduced the ceremony’s symbolism, the lamp, by highlighting Florence Nightingale, a British nurse and the founder of modern nursing. During the Crimean War in the 1850s, Nightingale significantly improved hospital sanitation and patient care. Working late into the night by lamplight, she tended to patients one by one, earning the nickname “Lady with the Lamp.” Her efforts helped reduce the hospital death rate by two-thirds and laid the foundation for modern nursing practices.
“The ‘Lady with the Lamp’ transformed nursing from an unskilled occupation into a respected profession. Her innovations in patient care, hygiene, and hospital management saved countless lives and set the standard for modern health care practices,” said Krahulec. “As we reflect on her legacy through the symbol of the lamp, we see that the principles she established over 150 years ago continue to guide and inspire health care professionals worldwide.”
Instructor Kristen Schmutz encouraged students to carry compassion and professionalism into their nursing careers, reminding them to be the kind of nurse they would want caring for the most important person in their lives. Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate Sarah Rose Robertson reflected on her journey through the program and shared that taking care of oneself is just as crucial as caring for patients.
Sharifa Al-Qaaydeh, Director of the Prelicensure Track, welcomed guests at the beginning of the event and led students in the recitation of the Nursing Oath prior to students crossing the stage and receiving a commemorative pin. “This Lamp of Learning pin is a gift from the College of Nursing Alumni, presented in honor of your Lamp of Learning ceremony. It symbolizes your dedication to the knowledge, compassion, and integrity that define the nursing profession,” said Al-Qaaydeh. “As you begin this journey, may it remind you of your commitment to service, resilience, and purpose—and of the meaningful milestone you’ve reached today.