UArizona College of Nursing celebrates 2023 convocation

May 19, 2023
Woman with brown hair wearing graduation regalia smiles while waiting to be hooded by a male professor.

Alexa Darrow, DNP, is hooded by Assistant Clinical Professor Reggie Elam, PhD, DNAP, CRNA, during the University of Arizona College of Nursing class of 2023 convocation at Centennial Hall.

The University of Arizona College of Nursing honored its spring 2023 graduating class at Centennial Hall on May 11. A total of 143 Wildcat nurses celebrated the successful conclusion of their programs in front of family, friends and faculty. 

College of Nursing Interim Dean Kathleen Insel, PhD, RN, congratulated the graduates, telling them, “It has been a long journey for each of you. Everyone in this room has faced challenges not only surviving, but also excelling during one of the most trying times in health care education due to the global pandemic. How proud each of you must be as you prepare to walk across this stage and take your place amongst the thousands of graduates of this internationally recognized college.”

The event honored 52 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates, 52 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Integrative Health Pathway graduates, 14 Master of Science in Nursing graduates, 37 Doctor of Nursing Practice graduates, one Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing graduate and one PhD/DNP dual-degree graduate.

“A door just opened for you. Walk through it with pride at what you have accomplished and be confident in your future,” Dr. Insel said. “Go out and show the world what you can do. Have fun, take care of yourself, take care of each other, share your compassion with your patients, let them know how much you care, and do great in your new life as a Wildcat nursing graduate.”

Two young men dressed in graduation regalia stand outside before convocation.
Two men and one woman dressed in graduation cap and gowns proceed into Centennial Hall for convocation.
Two young women dressed in graduation regalia flash the University of Arizona hand sign while seated in Centennial Hall.
Six female graduates dressed in cap and gown wait backstage in Centennial Hall before receiving their degrees.
Five university leadership and faculty members dressed in graduation regalia smile before taking the stage in Centennial Hall.
A male professor and a female professor dressed in graduation regalia backstage in Centennial Hall.
Six people (four male and two female) smile together backstage in Centennial Hall before convocation.
A young woman with long brown hair and dressed in cap and gown stands at a podium in Centennial Hall.
A young woman dressed in graduation regalia waves as she walks across the stage at Centennial Hall.
A young woman wearing graduation regalia smiles as she receives her hood by a male professor during convocation.
A young woman with red hair and wearing graduation regalia receives her hood by a male professor during convocation.
A young woman with long brown hair shakes hands with a female professor on stage during convocation.
A man dressed in graduation regalia receives his hood from a male professor during graduation.
Two young women smile as they move their graduation cap tassle to the other side to signify their graduation.
Three smiling women dressed in graduation regalia stand outside after their convocation.
A man dressed in graduation regalia holds a toddler girl wearing a white dress. Another woman wearing graduation cap and gown reaches out to hold the toddler’s hand while smiling in celebration.
A group of young women wearing cap and gown celebrate together in a group hug after their convocation.
About 16 family and friends stand beside a female nursing graduate dressed in graduation regalia and holding flowers.