Graduation of 11 with BSN degrees represents major milestone

Graduation of 11 with BSN degrees represents major milestone

Nov 18, 2024| Alumni, Applied and Natural Sciences, Students

Eleven Louisiana Tech graduates were awarded the University's first Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees at Fall 2024 Commencement on Saturday, Nov. 16. The graduates represented both the end of a long and difficult journey to create the program and the beginning of another that will allow for faster support of the health industry by Tech graduates.

"The College of Applied and Natural Sciences is excited to see its first BSN students graduate," ANS Dean Dr. Gary Kennedy said. "Given the nationwide shortage of baccalaureate-prepared nurses, we are pleased to expand the capacity to meet the increasing demand for healthcare professionals."

Tech's RN to BSN program received final approval Spring 2024, and 11 "early adopters" were ready to complete the requirements that built on their Associate of Science in Nursing degrees. The BSN graduates were presented their graduation stoles by Dr. Sherry Peveto, director of the Division of Nursing, at an on-campus ceremony in University Hall the day before graduation.

"I am proud to honor these first Louisiana Tech BSN graduates," Peveto said. "I have affectionately referred to them as the 'early adopters' because they jumped on board as soon as they could. They will continue to represent the Division of Nursing with excellence."

Since 1975, when the first associate degrees in nursing were rewarded, the University's nursing program has consistently been recognized for excellence in its pre-licensure preparation of registered nurses. The RN to BSN program, included in Tech Online offerings, builds on the rich history of excellence to provide the additional coursework and clinical experiences that prepare graduates for expanding roles and graduate nursing education.

"We are so proud of the excellent work produced by our students as they complete their BSN courses while working as registered nurses in the ICUs, emergency departments, labor and delivery units, and many other settings across the state of Louisiana," ANS Associate Dean, Professor in Nursing, and one-time Louisiana Nursing School Administrator of the Year Dr. Donna Hood said. "It is hard to express how important this hard-fought milestone is for us at Louisiana Tech and how proud we are of the first graduating cohort."

"For decades, Louisiana Tech's nursing program has been lauded as the finest associate's degree in nursing in the state," President Jim Henderson said. "Those receiving our newly established BSN will be the most prepared and sought-after nurses in this region and will serve to reduce the shortage facing our healthcare partners throughout the state."

To further celebrate this significant milestone, two BSN graduates-Ysabella Warren and Wesley Wilkerson-Spence-sat with the official stage party during Saturday's fall commencement ceremony.

Fall 2024 BSN graduates are the following:

Jordan Clayton

Tristan Duvall

Blake Everett

Katherine Haas

Abigail Hanks Blue

Kara Hodges

Brennan Roberts

Hannah Robinson

Kasey Roddy

Ysabella Warren

Wesley Wilkerson-Spence

The 11 were part of a Fall '24 graduating class of 299, bringing the worldwide count of Louisiana Tech alumni to 115,433.