Congratulations, 2025 School of Nursing graduates!
The School of Nursing community wishes you well as you find the path for impact that most inspires you. While the complexities of the profession and society will feel daunting at times, you can trust what you have learned and who you are as a nurse leader. As the first graduating class of “our next 100 years” you will add to our legacy of Badger nurses who have advocated, innovated, broken barriers and led change to address the health needs of their time.
We will continue to support and cheer for you as you change lives, build equity, and do your part to transform the future. On, Wisconsin!
2025 Graduation Livestream
Celebrate With Us!
#BadgerNursesChangeLives #Classof2025 #UWGrad
“I hope you will feel inspiration knowing that YOU are a part of the most trusted profession in America and that YOU will have the opportunity to improve the health of individuals, communities, and populations throughout your career.”
Linda D. Scott, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FNAP, FAAN, Dean and Professor, UW–Madison School of Nursing
Undergraduate Award Recipients
Fernanda Betancourt, TBSN Candidate
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Bridget Flyke, ABSN Candidate
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Niki Blanchard, ABSN Candidate
School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Diamond Wimbley, TBSN Candidate
Badger Future Nurse Leader Award
Doctoral Award Recipients
Laura Block, PhD Candidate
Mary L. Keller Research Award
Claire Honl, DNP Candidate
School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award
Shoua Xiong, PhD Candidate
Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award
Faculty Award Recipients
Alyssa Haure, MSN, RN, CNE
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty – Undergraduate
Teresa Lincicum, MSN, AGACNP, APNP
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty – Graduate
Preceptor Award Recipients
Myra Bell
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting – Graduate
Kate Walton
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting – Undergraduate
"Through the exceptional education and support of the UW-Madison School of Nursing, I am empowered to leverage my clinical skills, leadership, and advocacy to make a meaningful difference in patient care and the broader healthcare system. As the Badger Future Nurse Leader, I remain committed to upholding the values of integrity, compassion, and excellence to care for all patients.”
Diamond Wimbley, TBSN 2025 Graduate
Undergraduate Speakers
Kiko Carbonell, TBSN Candidate
TBSN Graduation Speaker
Maggie Cook, BSN@Home Candidate
BSN@Home Graduation Speaker
Will Joyce, ABSN Candidate
ABSN Graduation Speaker
Doctoral Speakers
Mays Basha, PhD Candidate
PhD Graduation Speaker
Charlie Behrens, DNP Candidate
DNP Graduation Speaker
Flag Bearers
Sofia Gunaratnam, TBSN Candidate
Undergraduate Flag Bearer
Michael Jaeb, PhD Candidate
Graduate Flag Bearer
“As a Hmong American and first-year PhD student, I am deeply honored to receive the Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award. This award highlights the significance of my academic contributions and inspires me to push boundaries in advancing more inclusive perspectives toward nursing science.”
Shoua Xiong, PhD student
Nursing Pin Recipients
Victoria Breton x’25 (TBSN)
Board of Visitors Pin
Maggie Cook x’25 (BSN@Home)
Pin Donor Jean Jacob ’66
Sonam Dorjee x’25 (TBSN)
Pin Donor Sue Lebby ’75
Freya Ebbesen x’25 (TBSN)
Pin Donor Nancy Reid Gallo ’57
Haley Meskin x’25 (ABSN)
Pin Donor Patty George ’87
Amy Padilla x’25 (TBSN)
Pin Donor Laura Simonds ’85
The UW–Madison School of Nursing Nursing Alumni Association (NAO) celebrated the achievements of our outstanding nursing graduates at the 2025 NAO Nursing Pinning Ceremony. This special event honors the dedication, resilience, and excellence of our soon-to-be Badger nurses.
About the School of Nursing Pin
The School of Nursing pin symbolizes a proud tradition of service, expressed through each of its parts. Given annually, the pin signifies both achievement and promise. Designed in 1926 by Helen Denne Schulte, the School's first director, the pin consists of the University's seal on a maroon cross with a caduceus. The cross pattée dates from the Middle Ages when it was worn by the Knights Hospitaller, a nursing order. Its wings represent a bird covering its young, symbolizing protection and nursing. A caduceus, two snakes winding around a staff, symbolizes medicine.
Eight 2025 Graduates Honored with School of Nursing Pins
The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing is proud to honor 8 incredible nursing graduates with traditional nursing pins, presented by the Nurses Alumni Organization.
Award Nominees
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Badger Future Nurse Leader Award
Sophie Butkiewicz, ABSN
Meghan DeBot, ABSN
Annabelle Doyle, TBSN
Katherine Gohdes, TBSN
Keisha Manderle, ABSN
Carina Meixelsperger, TBSN
Amy Padilla, TBSN
Rutvi Patel, NCP
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students
Victoria Breton, TBSN
William Joyce, ABSN
Keisha Manderle, ABSN
Grace Norum-Tannahill, TBSN
Noelle Papilla, NCP
Eli Pierce-Haig, TBSN
Emily Shea, TBSN
Emma Slaski, TBSN
School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award
Kennedy Adams, TBSN
Elle Johnson, TBSN
Grace Norum-Tannahill, TBSN
Rutvi Patel, NCP
Sydney Race, ABSN
Janice Rakow, TBSN
Abigail Rynes, ABSN
Mary L. Keller Research Award
Mays Basha, PhD
Sarah Hobday, TBSN
Madisin Randolph, TBSN
Jennifer Stevens, PhD
Mai Nhia Yang, TBSN
School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award
Elisabeth Fletcher, DNP
Sarah Magnussen, DNP
Eva Schill, DNP
Ashley Smith, DNP
Amelia Zepnick, DNP
Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award
Yoonsoo Eo, PhD
Claire Honl, DNP
Haley Meskin, ABSN
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty
Eva Allen
Rochelle Codlyn
Cindy Dionysius
Jenn Drake
Jennifer Figel-Newlon
Jane Harney
Jessica Leiberg
Katie Lothe
Leanne Lutz
Ashley Meudt
Elliot Tebbe
Cassie Voge
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Preceptor
Stephanie Anderson
Erica Glass
Joseph Miller
Vince Susa
Madison Vander Hill
School of Nursing Pin
Kiran Arora, TBSN
Meghan DeBot, ABSN
Allie Frenkel, ABSN
Victoria Khousakoun, ABSN
Sydney Race, ABSN
Mai Nhia Yang, TBSN
217
BSN degrees
37
DNP degrees
3
PhD degrees
Stay in Touch
A message from Jordan Langer, Advancement Manager, School of Nursing
Congratulations and welcome to alumnihood! You are joining an incredible group of Badger nurses and you will be making an impact wherever you go. Before you begin your official celebrations, here are some important things you'll want to do.
New Alumni Checklist
There are few resources for you to keep in mind as you enter Badger nurse alumnihood:
- Join the Badger Nurse Network Facebook group to stay in touch with other Badger nurses. This is the perfect place to ask questions, celebrate your accomplishments, and connect with Badger nurses across the world.
- Remember, your wisc.edu account will deactivate 9 months post-graduation. Make sure to update your contact information. The School of Nursing would like to send you the biannual Forward Nursing magazine and other updates moving forward!
- Remember, all School of Nursing alumni become members of the Nurses Alumni Organization. You are encouraged to participate in monthly meetings and make your alumni voice heard.
- Stay in touch! We want to celebrate your achievements and milestones as you continue your career as a Badger nurse. Email alumni@son.wisc.edu with your updates!