Decker Commencement 2024: The magic of new beginnings

Heart. Intelligence. Energy and potential.

These were just a few of the unique aspects that embodied the graduating class of Binghamton University’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, who celebrated their hard-earned accomplishments during Commencement 2024.

“Health science professionals have the ability to positively impact any community we choose to call home through our technical skills, knowledge, care and advocacy,” Tessa Davidson, a Master of Public Health student who works in substance use prevention, told fellow graduates. “Just imagine the effects we can have on society as we work in unison toward improving health outcomes for all.”

Decker celebrated Commencement with two ceremonies (view ceremonies on YouTube):

• Nursing students earning bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees and certificates of advanced studies, and public health students earning Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees were recognized during the college’s ceremony at 4:30 p.m. May 9 at the University’s Events Center.
• Students earning doctoral degrees in nursing — Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) — and occupational therapy students earning Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degrees took part in the University-wide Doctoral Hooding Ceremony at 12:30 p.m. May 9 in the Anderson Center’s Osterhout Concert Theater.

With so many paths ahead in a challenging but increasingly critical profession, Davidson offered some practical advice: “Try not to be consumed by where you want to land because life is in the jump, it’s in the journey, it’s in the process, and it’s where all the fun happens.”

Decker College ceremony

More than 160 students completing bachelor’s degrees in nursing, almost 30 students receiving advanced nursing certificates and over 50 students earning master’s degrees in nursing or public health participated in Decker College’s ceremony May 9.

“I want to commend you, our incredible students, for your perseverance, dedication and willingness to serve your community and all of those within it,” said Mario R. Ortiz, dean of Decker College.

“Your commitment to the health professions has been tested over the past couple of years, and you have overcome more challenges than anyone could have imagined,” he added.

“I am confident that the Class of 2024 will rise to meet the world’s challenges because I’ve already seen your commitment to being engaged practitioners as students,” noted University President Harvey Stenger. “Let me be the first to congratulate you and welcome you into the next stage of your life.”

Donald Hall, University provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, told students their Binghamton education will serve them well in their future endeavors.

“You are truly remarkable students who have brought your intellectual curiosity, work ethic and sense of humor to bear throughout your time here,” he said. “You will take all that you have experienced here and become change-makers in the health sciences field.”

Binghamton University Alumni Association President Cara Treidel ’16 shared her experience of being supported by the alumni community, which offers numerous opportunities for connection and professional development.

Abigail Taylor, a student in Decker’s Baccalaureate Accelerated Track program (a one-year, intensive nursing program for students with a degree in another field), holds a bachelor’s degree in health policy and management and spent 10 years working for an environmental consultant in the oil and gas industry before realizing during the COVID-19 pandemic that nursing was calling to her.

“We’ve learned the right words to say on someone’s worst day, we’ve learned to treat people with dignity and respect regardless of their decisions, we’ve learned the power of silence and listening,” she said. “This school has equipped us with the skills to impact the lives of our patients and the confidence to continue shaping our own. Enjoy this feeling of accomplishment; there’s a magic in new beginnings.”

Anthony DiBartolo admitted he didn’t originally plan on becoming a nurse when he joined Binghamton. However, a severe injury that required spinal surgery affected his wrestling ability. Around the same time, his sister, a nurse, developed a rare disease. DiBartolo witnessed the care she received from nurses and heard stories of her impactful career, which solidified his desire to pursue nursing. He told his fellow graduates always to remember why they chose nursing and the profound effect nurses have on their patients and families.

“We must always remember that we have the rare ability to change lives through healing our patients, their families and ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally,” he said. “They may forget our names, but they will never forget how we made them feel.”

Doctoral hooding ceremony and awards events

Decker College students earning doctoral degrees in nursing and occupational therapy attended the University’s Doctoral Hooding Ceremony May 9.

Finally, the following Decker College award ceremonies were held prior to Commencement:

• Decker’s Division of Nursing presented its student awards and inducted students into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing at 4:30 p.m. May 8 at the University’s Health Sciences Building in Johnson City and
• Decker’s Division of Public Health held its awards ceremony at 10 a.m. May 9 in the Union on the University’s Vestal campus.