Stanbridge College Graduates Over 120 Vocational Nursing Students in July

It was a warm and sunny afternoon on July 16, 2012 as over 120 Vocational Nursing students and 1,100 guests gathered at the Hyatt Regency Irvine for the Stanbridge College 2012 Commencement Exercise.

The ceremony featured several speakers including Yasith Weerasuriya, President of Stanbridge College, Todd D’Braunstein, President of the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians, and Rashida Khan Muhammad, one of the Valedictorians from the graduating class. In addition, the ceremony featured special guest speaker, Dawn Loggins, a recent high school graduate who gained acceptance to Harvard University despite her childhood of homelessness and disrupted family life.

The graduates received their diplomas, Vocational Nursing pins and took the Nightingale Pledge. Named after the pioneer of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, the Nightingale Pledge is read by each graduate pledging their commitment to the highest standard of practice for their nursing profession.

The evening also celebrated the achievement of graduates, alumni and faculty members whose contribution to the nursing profession and service to community stood out among the rest. Aleisa Bierman, graduate of FTR, received the 2012 Thomas A. Fuentes Community Service Award for her volunteer work with St. Mary’s Medical Center. Mary Rafanan, Stanbridge College Alumni and now the Director of Staff Development at Victoria Health Care in Costa Mesa received the 2012 Rear Admiral Howard A. Roop Alumnus of the Year Award for her outstanding work in the nursing profession. Stanbridge College also honored Rene Hypolite with the Florence Nightingale Faculty of the Year Award for her dedication to nursing education.

Throughout the ceremony, Stanbridge College and graduates honored former student, Marine Sgt. Manuel Loggins who died unexpectedly on February 7, 2012. In honor of his memory, the H&S Battalion, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton Color Guard presented the American flag. This was the same unit Sgt. Loggins was affiliated with. Sgt. Loggins was also honored in the class memoirs, a slide show presentation of students in class, labs and social gatherings.

Stanbridge College wishes all of its 2012 graduates a very successful transition into their next step in their nursing education and profession.