Honoring Veterinary Nursing Graduates

Monday, December 12, 2022

Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Nursing graduates in the Class of 2022 celebrate with dean Reed in front of the Continuum Sculpture after commencement ceremonies August 6. — Associate in Applied Science in Veterinary Nursing graduates in the Class of 2022 celebrate with Dean Willie Reed in front of the Continuum Sculpture after commencement ceremonies August 6.

An intense educational journey concluded with a graduation celebration and oath ceremony August 6 for Purdue veterinary nursing students who earned their Associates in Applied Science degrees. The program was held in Lynn Hall, with a reception that followed in the Veterinary Medical Library.

“This is a truly remarkable class,” Dean Reed said as he welcomed the new graduates and their families and friends at the start of the ceremony. “Graduates, you had the unique experience of completing your veterinary education in the midst of a global pandemic…you showed commitment, resolve and caring as you abided by the Protect Purdue pledge and persistently pursued your degree. As a result, here we are today, to recognize your graduation as members of the Veterinary Nursing Class of 2022!”

Instructional Technologist Jennifer Smith was chosen by the new graduates to lead them in reciting the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct at the Graduation Celebration and Oath Ceremony in Lynn Hall.

The dean continued by explaining that the Oath Ceremony represents a long-standing and beloved tradition of the College. “We are going to recognize our Veterinary Nursing Program Associate in Applied Science degree graduates, who have attained a valued position on the veterinary health care delivery team,” Dean Reed said. “These graduates have earned the right to be identified by wearing the Purdue University veterinary nursing pin.”

Then Dean Reed turned the podium over to Josh Clark, assistant director of the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program, who read the names of each of the graduates who attended the ceremony. As their names were called, the graduates came forward and Veterinary Nursing Program Instructional Technologist Holly McCalip, BS, RVT, presented them with their Associate in Applied Science pin, symbolizing their entry into the veterinary nursing profession.

Holly McCalip and Dean Willie Reed with graduate Justine Henderson, who received the Highest Academic Achievement Award.

Hannah Rowe, who received the Eber H. Allen Leadership award with her family and her decorated cap. — Hannah Rowe, who received the Eber H. Allen Leadership award with her family and her decorated graduation cap.

Then the graduates remained up front for a group photo before reciting their professional oath. “The recitation of the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct symbolizes your acceptance into the veterinary nursing profession,” Dean Reed explained after returning to the podium. “The oath signifies our high regard for the ethical standards and legal regulations governing the practice of veterinary nursing, our strong commitment to the highest standards of patient care and client service, and our dedication to the animals that we serve.”

Then Instructional Technologist Jennifer Smith, BS, RVT, came forward as the one selected by the students to lead them in reciting the Veterinary Technician Oath of Ethical Conduct. In addition, all veterinary nurses in the audience were invited to stand and recite the oath with the new graduates.

Another component of the ceremony involved recognizing three students who received special awards:

Justine Henderson – Highest Academic Achievement Award, recognizing the student with the highest program GPA as of the third year in the program, sponsored by Harry and Freida Latshaw;
Hannah Rowe – Eber H. Allen Leadership Award, for outstanding leadership and professionalism resulting in advancing a positive image of the Veterinary Nursing program, sponsored by the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Medical Association;
Anastasia Sweet – Highest Technical Proficiency Award, for highest technical proficiency across all clinic rotation sites, sponsored by CH2 Imaging Consultants.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Dean Reed again congratulated the new graduates and thanked everyone who joined them at the ceremony to share in this momentous occasion in their lives. Following the program, the attendees reconvened in the Veterinary Medical Library for a reception, where the new graduates were able to pick up a special gift from the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association. The Graduation Celebration and Oath Ceremony followed university commencement exercises in the Elliott Hall of Music, where the Veterinary Nursing graduates were among a total of 1,700 students recognized on the occasion of their graduation.

Click here to view the official video of the morning commencement ceremony, which honored undergraduate, professional and master’s degree recipients from all the schools and colleges, including the veterinary nursing graduates. Note that caps decorated by some of the veterinary nursing graduates are visible at 11:24 and 14:24 minutes into the video, and the graduates’ names are announced as they cross the Elliott Hall of Music stage 1:24:00 minutes into the video.