Commencement 2007 - Villanova University

Commencement2007includes educating the nurses of Oman as they ready themselvesto assume clinical, academic and administrative positionsin their country. In addition, College faculty serve as consultantsand offer conferences and workshops in Oman.Ambassador Al-Mughairy spoke to the Nursing candidatesand their family and friends. Recalling her own experiences,50th Nursing ClassGraduatesAt Convocation, the College of Nursing’sspecial guest is Oman’s ambassadorto the United States.BY IRENE BURGOVillanova University’s College of Nursing held its Convocationon May 19 in the St. Thomas of VillanovaChurch. The Class of 2007 is the 50th class to graduatefrom the College. The event recognized 76 traditional B.S.N.candidates, 63 second-degree students who hold a degree inanother field and will graduate in August, as well as 18 B.S.N.candidates from the Sultanate of Oman. Also celebrated werefive master’s degree candidates who graduated in December2006 and this May.In the crowded church, family, friends, alumni and facultymembers enthusiastically applauded and cheered the Nursingdegree candidates.After the procession of candidates and faculty membershad entered the church, Rose M. O’Driscoll, Nursing’s assistantdean for Administration and an assistant professor, gavethe introduction. She was followed by Dr. John R. Johannes,Villanova’s vice president for Academic Affairs, who gavethe invocation. Dr. M. Louise Fitzpatrick, ConnellyEndowed Dean and Professor, welcomed the guests withgreetings from the College.“As architects of the future, your agendas need to go beyondthose of past generations of nurses,” said Dean Fitzpatrick. “Theymust encompass a world view and address the health and socialneeds of a diverse, global society that reflects disparities in levels ofwellness, their ability to afford and have access to health care andshare in the quality of life that we often take for granted. Thisweek, your education is really just beginning. …You are embarkingon a great opportunity to use your college education, knowing thatyou are needed and wanted and that what you do—and equally asimportant, how well you do it—can have a profound effect on thelives of others.”Dean Fitzpatrick then introduced the special guest,H.E. Hunaina Al-Mughairy, ambassador of the Sultanate ofOman to the United States.Omani students have come to Villanova to earn their B.S.N.and M.S.N. degrees for more than 12 years. The partnershipbetween the College of Nursing and Oman’s Ministry of Healthshe said that “The road out there is not always smooth. Therewill be many obstacles…. When you set yourself with highgoals and aspiration, you can achieve anything....I stand herebefore you as an example of a woman who has become thefirst female ambassador from an Arab country to the UnitedStates. I am here to tell you it is possible.”Megan E. Heavey ’07 Nur. followed the ambassador in givinga speech. The College presented its awards for excellencein classroom and clinical service settings (see page 23).Patricia Somers ’74 Nur., vice president of the NursingAlumni Society, welcomed the new graduates into the alumnibody and encouraged them to stay active through the NursingAlumni Society.The Convocation concluded with the singing of the “AlmaMater” by Patricia A. Gillin ’07 Nur. and Kristina K. Pachman ’07Nur. The Rev. John P. Stack, O.S.A., ’71 A&S, ’77 G.S., vice presidentfor Student Life at Villanova, gave the Benediction.`The procession at the May 19 Convocation begins in theSt. Thomas of Villanova Church.20 Villanova Magazine