Ceremonies Celebrate Class of 2026 Nursing Graduates
August 26, 2026
This May, St. John Fisher celebrated Wegmans School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate receiving their diplomas, at commencement, the pinning ceremony, and awards ceremonies.
Commencement Ceremonies
During a ceremony honoring undergraduate nursing students, the University bestowed a President’s Medal upon Karen Zandi, president and CEO of the Mary Cariola Center.
Zandi was recognized for the impact she has made on children and families in the Rochester community. She has led Mary Cariola Center in Rochester since 2012 and during her tenure, the school, resident homes, and family support services have flourished. As the regional leader in personalized, interdisciplinary, evidence-based education, and life skill solutions for people with complex disabilities, she has positioned Mary Cariola as the standard-setter in innovation that unlocks lifelong potential. Her inspiration comes from the students, residents, families, and staff of the agency who are the source of empowerment and success.
Zandi offered encouragement to the nursing graduates in her remarks.
“You are entering a profession built on service, resilience, and hope, and the world needs you now more than ever,” she said. “Go forward with confidence in what you’ve learned, humility in what you have yet to learn, and pride in the calling you have chosen.”
Edward Graves delivered remarks on behalf of his fellow graduates, speaking to the camaraderie he found with this class and encouraged his classmates to remember that they are never alone when life’s challenges come their way.
“Wherever we go from here, different hospitals, different units, and different paths, I hope we carry this with us,” he said. “That sense of camaraderie. That willingness to support each other. That reminder that even in the hardest moments, we’re never really alone.”
During the ceremony celebrating graduate degree recipients of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, M.S. in Nursing, and M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, Katerina Nuñez delivered remarks to her fellow graduates.
“Graduates, as we enter this next chapter of our lives as professional helpers and healers, we will make an impact. We’ll make our presence known. We’ll empower. Celebrate others who succeed and lend a hand to those who stumble,” said Nuñez. “As graduates in the fields of mental health counseling and nursing, we each hold genuine social power to initiate change. What are we going to do with that power?”
Pinning Ceremony
Spring graduates of the Wegmans School of Nursing stood in front of family and friends to receive their nursing pins, marking their official entrance into the nursing profession.
Dr. Lori Dambaugh, associate dean for undergraduate affairs, served as the ceremony emcee. Dr. Tricia Gatlin, dean of the School, offered remarks before welcoming a student to the podium to share reflections.
“You are now part of a proud lineage of Fisher Nurses—individuals known not only for their clinical excellence but for their compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment to patient care,” said Gatlin. “This pin you receive tonight is more than a piece of metal. It is a badge of honor, a testament to the countless hours of study, sacrifice, and perseverance that brought you here.”
During the ceremony, graduates read aloud the Nightingale Pledge to symbolize their commitment to the profession. The pledge is named in honor of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Three student-nominated awards were presented during the ceremony. The Caring Award – “Teach Me Goodness” recognizes a student who continually provides emotional and physical support to both student colleagues and patients, regardless of circumstances and was presented to Marissa Booth. Morgan Welch received the Mentorship Award – “Teach Me Discipline” recognizes a student who conducts themselves in a professional and proficient manner in theory and practice. The Spirit Award – “Teach Me Knowledge,” which recognizes a student who shows dedication to the profession of nursing as evidenced by a positive attitude toward learning and excitement to provide for others, was given to Joel Morris.
Students Earn Awards at Commencement
Awards were given to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students during events held throughout Commencement week.
Undergraduate Awards
Wegmans School of Nursing Undergraduate Award for Highest Undergraduate GPA: Sydney Francis Wilson and Jennifer E. Meyers
Wegmans School of Nursing Undergraduate Award for Highest RN/BSN GPA: Elizabeth Ann Laurro
Wegmans School of Nursing RN/BSN Professional Practice Award: Elizabeth Ann Laurro
Clara H. Wagner Excellence in Clinical Practice Nursing Award: Brynn Susan Calvert and Stephen Thomas Zawodzinski
Genesee Valley Nurses Association Student Leadership Award: Eriel J’kai Young
Glover-Crask Simulation Center Experiential Learning Award: Francesca Angeline DiFlorio and Sydney Minier
Graduate Awards
Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing
Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing Academic Excellence Award: Alexis Pirraglia, David Thomas Jobczynski, Eleanore Augusta Nelson, Gabriela E. Tomaszczuk, Grace Belle Guh, Jennifer Alayne James, Julia Shire, Lindsay Christina Scott, Nicole Ilardo, Tayler Morgan Girardi, Carrie Ann Doyle, Irina Spirina, Kaitlyn Butka, Sarah Kate Sandor, Sookjin Park, and Taylor Marie LaValley
Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing Distinguished Student Award: Aaron James Cole, Alexandra Marie Vadas, Anne Jenna Swearingen, Chad Williams, Cheron Denitra Francis, Connor R. Cottrell, Jillian Renee Barry, Mitchell Paul Colvin, Van Harold Paloma, Ehren Danielle Strohm, John Griffin, Peter Li, and Katie A. Klos
Wegmans School of Nursing Graduate Simulation Award: Anne Jenna Swearingen, Jennifer Alayne James, John Griffin, Katie A. Klos, and Sarah Buckley
Mental Health Counseling
Kastberg Scholarly Achievement Award: Claire Elizabeth Marino
Dvorin Award for Excellence in Integrated Care: Dvorin Award for Excellence in Integrated Care: Hannah Marie Bardeen
Bufano Counselor Excellence Award: Luka Camille Hakkila
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Academic Excellence and Scholarly Achievement Award: Mary Dalgi Nowak
Clinical Practice Scholarship Award: Alexandra Marie Vadas
Ceremonies Celebrate Class of 2026 Nursing Graduates 2026-08-26T11:24:00-04:00This May, St. John Fisher celebrated Wegmans School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate receiving their diplomas, at commencement, the pinning ceremony, and awards ceremonies. Commencement Ceremonies
During a ceremony honoring undergraduate nursing students, the University bestowed a President’s Medal upon Karen Zandi, president and CEO of the Mary Cariola Center.
Zandi was recognized for the impact she has made on children and families in the Rochester community. She has led Mary Cariola Center in Rochester since 2012 and during her tenure, the school, resident homes, and family support services have flourished. As the regional leader in personalized, interdisciplinary, evidence-based education, and life skill solutions for people with complex disabilities, she has positioned Mary Cariola as the standard-setter in innovation that unlocks lifelong potential. Her inspiration comes from the students, residents, families, and staff of the agency who are the source of empowerment and success.
Zandi offered encouragement to the nursing graduates in her remarks.
“You are entering a profession built on service, resilience, and hope, and the world needs you now more than ever,” she said. “Go forward with confidence in what you’ve learned, humility in what you have yet to learn, and pride in the calling you have chosen.”
Edward Graves delivered remarks on behalf of his fellow graduates, speaking to the camaraderie he found with this class and encouraged his classmates to remember that they are never alone when life’s challenges come their way.
“Wherever we go from here, different hospitals, different units, and different paths, I hope we carry this with us,” he said. “That sense of camaraderie. That willingness to support each other. That reminder that even in the hardest moments, we’re never really alone.”
During the ceremony celebrating graduate degree recipients of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, M.S. in Nursing, and M.S. in Mental Health Counseling, Katerina Nuñez delivered remarks to her fellow graduates.
“Graduates, as we enter this next chapter of our lives as professional helpers and healers, we will make an impact. We’ll make our presence known. We’ll empower. Celebrate others who succeed and lend a hand to those who stumble,” said Nuñez. “As graduates in the fields of mental health counseling and nursing, we each hold genuine social power to initiate change. What are we going to do with that power?”
Pinning Ceremony
Spring graduates of the Wegmans School of Nursing stood in front of family and friends to receive their nursing pins, marking their official entrance into the nursing profession.
Dr. Lori Dambaugh, associate dean for undergraduate affairs, served as the ceremony emcee. Dr. Tricia Gatlin, dean of the School, offered remarks before welcoming a student to the podium to share reflections.
“You are now part of a proud lineage of Fisher Nurses—individuals known not only for their clinical excellence but for their compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment to patient care,” said Gatlin. “This pin you receive tonight is more than a piece of metal. It is a badge of honor, a testament to the countless hours of study, sacrifice, and perseverance that brought you here.”
During the ceremony, graduates read aloud the Nightingale Pledge to symbolize their commitment to the profession. The pledge is named in honor of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale.
Three student-nominated awards were presented during the ceremony. The Caring Award – “Teach Me Goodness” recognizes a student who continually provides emotional and physical support to both student colleagues and patients, regardless of circumstances and was presented to Marissa Booth. Morgan Welch received the Mentorship Award – “Teach Me Discipline” recognizes a student who conducts themselves in a professional and proficient manner in theory and practice. The Spirit Award – “Teach Me Knowledge,” which recognizes a student who shows dedication to the profession of nursing as evidenced by a positive attitude toward learning and excitement to provide for others, was given to Joel Morris.
Students Earn Awards at Commencement
Awards were given to undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students during events held throughout Commencement week.
Undergraduate Awards
Wegmans School of Nursing Undergraduate Award for Highest Undergraduate GPA: Sydney Francis Wilson and Jennifer E. Meyers
Wegmans School of Nursing Undergraduate Award for Highest RN/BSN GPA: Elizabeth Ann Laurro
Wegmans School of Nursing RN/BSN Professional Practice Award: Elizabeth Ann Laurro
Clara H. Wagner Excellence in Clinical Practice Nursing Award: Brynn Susan Calvert and Stephen Thomas Zawodzinski
Genesee Valley Nurses Association Student Leadership Award: Eriel J’kai Young
Glover-Crask Simulation Center Experiential Learning Award: Francesca Angeline DiFlorio and Sydney Minier
Graduate Awards
Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing
Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing Academic Excellence Award: Alexis Pirraglia, David Thomas Jobczynski, Eleanore Augusta Nelson, Gabriela E. Tomaszczuk, Grace Belle Guh, Jennifer Alayne James, Julia Shire, Lindsay Christina Scott, Nicole Ilardo, Tayler Morgan Girardi, Carrie Ann Doyle, Irina Spirina, Kaitlyn Butka, Sarah Kate Sandor, Sookjin Park, and Taylor Marie LaValley
Master of Science in Advanced Practice Nursing Distinguished Student Award: Aaron James Cole, Alexandra Marie Vadas, Anne Jenna Swearingen, Chad Williams, Cheron Denitra Francis, Connor R. Cottrell, Jillian Renee Barry, Mitchell Paul Colvin, Van Harold Paloma, Ehren Danielle Strohm, John Griffin, Peter Li, and Katie A. Klos
Wegmans School of Nursing Graduate Simulation Award: Anne Jenna Swearingen, Jennifer Alayne James, John Griffin, Katie A. Klos, and Sarah Buckley
Mental Health Counseling
Kastberg Scholarly Achievement Award: Claire Elizabeth Marino
Dvorin Award for Excellence in Integrated Care: Dvorin Award for Excellence in Integrated Care: Hannah Marie Bardeen
Bufano Counselor Excellence Award: Luka Camille Hakkila
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Academic Excellence and Scholarly Achievement Award: Mary Dalgi Nowak
Clinical Practice Scholarship Award: Alexandra Marie Vadas
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