College of Nursing celebrates its Class of 2025 graduates

May 26, 2025
Photos by Noelle Haro-Gomez, U of A Health Sciences Office of Communications
A young man wearing a graduation cap and gown and sunglasses raises his hands in the air as he walks across a stage.

Kyle Breske celebrates as he walks across the stage to be pinned during the University of Arizona College of Nursing spring 2025 convocation. Breske earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Photo by Noelle Haro-Gomez, U of A Health Sciences Office of Communications

The University of Arizona College of Nursing celebrated its 72nd graduating class as it honored 214 graduates from several programs during the Class of 2025 convocation. 

“Today is a momentous occasion for all of us as we celebrate your achievements during this historic time for our college,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “I am excited to announce that the University of Arizona College of Nursing is now ranked among the top 20 nursing programs in the nation and is the No. 1 program in Arizona. This prestigious recognition is a testament to your hard work, our outstanding faculty and our shared commitment to excellence in education, research and service. Moreover, this honor significantly enhances the value of your degree. From this day forward, your diploma represents your personal accomplishments and the growing national reputation of the institution that issued it.”

The event honored 57 Bachelor of Science in Nursing conventional pathway graduates; 62 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Integrative Health Pathway graduates; 44 Master of Science Entry to the Profession of Nursing graduates from the Tucson campus and 24 from the Gilbert campus; 24 Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates; and three Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing graduates.

The keynote address was delivered by Beth Draves, the chief nursing officer at Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.

“As you embark on your careers, remember that the essence of nursing lies not just in the medical procedures you will perform or the medications you give, but in the connections you will forge,” said Draves. “Every patient under your care is a unique individual with a story, a family and dreams. It is your privilege and duty to treat them with the utmost respect, to listen to their fears and hopes, and to tailor your care to their individual needs.”

Two young women wearing graduation caps and gowns raise their hands in celebration as they walk outside with other graduates behind them.
A young man in graduation regalia smiles and gives the hand sign for the University of Arizona Wildcats as he walks outside.
About a dozen nursing students, all dressed in graduation regalia, stand in a row outside a building.
Three young women dressed in graduation caps and gowns smile as they walk in a line outside.
Three young women show off their graduation mortar boards as they wait backstage for the ceremony to begin.
Four College of Nursing students wearing graduation caps and gowns wave and smile backstage before the graduation ceremony begins.
A smiling young woman wearing a graduation gown holds up her decorated mortar board and a “First Cat Grad” pin.
Nine College of Nursing students wearing caps and gowns stand backstage waiting for their graduation ceremony to begin.
Two young women in graduation caps and gowns help each other set their mortarboards on straight.
A young woman wearing graduation regalia smiles as a professor places a traditional hood over her shoulders from behind.
A smiling young woman wearing graduation regalia has a ceremonial graduation hood placed over her shoulders by a professor.
A smiling young woman wearing graduation regalia has a ceremonial graduation hood placed over her shoulders by a professor.
A smiling young woman wearing graduation regalia has a ceremonial graduation hood placed over her shoulders by a professor.
A mother places a flower lei around her son’s neck while holding a large photo of him in her hand. Her son is wearing a graduation gown.
A young man in graduation regalia holds a bouquet of flowers and smiles as he stands with his two sisters and father outside.
A young woman wearing a graduation cap and gown smiles as she hugs another smiling young woman.