New UMSL nursing graduates celebrate finishing nursing school at awards and pinning ceremony and commencement

Graduate in cap and gown smiles while holding up a diploma cover during a commencement ceremony in a crowded indoor arena.
UMSL Nursing proudly celebrated 64 graduates from the Traditional BSN, RN to BSN, Post-Graduate Certificate, DNP and PhD programs during the awards and pinning ceremony on May 13 and UMSL Commencement on May 16. The events recognized the hard work, dedication and passion that brought them to this milestone moment. 
Senior student support specialist Hanna Lenz, who oversees the pinning ceremony events, reflected on the meaning of the celebration and the sense of community it brought together. “This ceremony recognizes nursing excellence through awards and celebrates the transition from nursing students to nurses through the pinning. It was incredible to see a packed crowd of more than 320 family members, friends, supporters, faculty and staff come together to celebrate these graduates and the next generation of nurses who will positively impact health care in our community!” 
graduates stand in a line indoors, during a ceremony.

 

Traditional BSN students received their UMSL Nursing pins, which they proudly wore at UMSL Commencement. The pin symbolizes completion of their nursing program and the legacy of UMSL Nursing Alumni who have received it before them! 

We were especially honored to present eight awards to outstanding graduates: 

The Shirley A. Martin Distinguished Nurse Award  
Emily Ganira, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
The Shirley A. Martin Distinguished Nurse Award  
Ololade "Lola" Ekwere, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing 
The Excellence in College Leadership Award  
Nini Lewis, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
The Excellence in Professional Nursing Award  
Eugenio Alonso, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
Innovations in Clinical Practice Award  
Kerri Dolman, RN to BSN 
Outstanding CBCE Student  
Jordyn Goforth, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
Undergraduate Student Marshal  
Ashley Borowitz, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
Graduate Student Marshal  
Ifeoma Lily Yibe, Doctor of Nursing Practice 

The celebration continued on May 16, 2026, when students joined the broader UMSL community for commencement. Nearly 1,400 spring and summer graduates were recognized across five ceremonies, marking an important achievement for students across the university. 

Graduate in cap and gown smiling at a commencement ceremony, with university banners and U.S. flags on stage behind her.

 

 BSN graduate Hoshim Rozi celebrated receiving his diploma during commencement and has accepted a position at Mercy Hospital. 

Graduate in cap and gown on a stage raising a diploma cover during a commencement ceremony.

 “My BSN is more than a degree. It is a testament to resilience and a victory for my entire family. While war and famine stole the opportunity for higher education from generations before me, their sacrifices fueled my determination to succeed.... Ultimately, this journey proved that our minds are the only limits to what we can achieve. I never envisioned myself here, but I stand proud of how far I’ve come and inspired by the future that awaits me in nursing.” 

 In addition to BSN graduates, UMSL Nursing also had the honor of hooding its PhD and DNP students during commencement. FNP/AGNP track coordinator Dr. Liz Segura hooded Graduate Student Marshal Ifeoma Lily Yibe and described the experience of hooding graduate students as a full-circle moment, having once been in their position as an UMSL DNP student.

Graduate in a black doctoral gown and cap stands smiling on a stage, wearing an orange stole, with ceremonial banners hanging behind them.

“As an UMSL DNP alum, it is incredibly meaningful to now stand on the other side and celebrate our students as they reach this milestone. I know firsthand the dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance it takes to complete this journey, which makes watching graduates like Lily Yibe be hooded especially powerful. Commencement and pinning are more than ceremonies; they are moments to honor the growth, resilience, and hard work that brought each graduate to this point. It is a true full-circle privilege to celebrate these graduates as they step forward as doctoral-prepared nurse practitioners ready to make a meaningful impact on the patients and communities they serve.” 

Watch the full Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony - Saturday May 16, 2026 9:00AM here