With physical distancing guidelines and restrictions precluding a traditional event, virtual commencement ceremonies will be held for the Graduate School of Nursing and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences on Sunday, May 31. The GSN ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The GSBS ceremony starts at noon.
The GSN is awarding 39 Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees; five PhD in Nursing degrees; one master’s degree and two post-master’s certificates. The GSBS will award 41 PhD, 10 Master of Science in Clinical Investigation and seven MD/PhD degrees.
“In addition to completing their scholarly work, our graduating students have all been working as registered nurses and nurse practitioners throughout their studies, now at the front lines of a challenging pandemic not seen before in our lifetimes,” said Joan Vitello, PhD, dean of the GSN.
“We thank them for their service as well as congratulate them for their academic achievements knowing that they are uniquely prepared to apply their commitment to excellence in patient care and health care leadership when and where they are most needed.”
The virtual celebrations will be streamed live on UMMS’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Zoom access for the GSN ceremony is at umassmed.zoom.us/J/97999763581; and for the GSBS ceremony at umassmed.zoom.us/J/92040352210. Both can also be joined by phone at 646-876-9923, 312-626-6799 or 301-715-8592.
Graduates are encouraged to wear their cap and gown, and to post photos and videos to the UMMS Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages using #UMassMedical20.
GSN class speaker is Joanne Lewis, MS, APRN-BC, who is graduating with her PhD in nursing. She previously received her master’s at UMMS and is an instructor in nursing. GSBS class speaker is Pranitha Vangala, who is receiving her PhD in bioinformatics and integrative biology.
Nursing degrees will be conferred by Janet Hale, PhD, FNP, professor of nursing and associate dean of interprofessional and community partnerships for the GSN. Biomedical sciences degrees will be conferred by Kendall Knight, PhD, professor of biochemistry & molecular pharmacology and associate dean of the GSBS Basic and Biomedical Sciences Division.
GSBS Student Achievement Awards, along with the Chancellor’s Award, will be announced at the GSBS commencement event. GSN awards will be presented via a separate invitation-only virtual graduation celebration on Thursday, May 31, at 7 p.m.