Graduates from the Washington State University College of Nursing were recognized this May during Spring 2026 commencement and pinning ceremonies held across Spokane, Tri-Cities, Yakima, and Vancouver.
Each ceremony marked the transition from student to practicing nurse, with graduates stepping into roles that will shape patient care across the region.
Across all campuses, Mason’s message centered on connection, growth, and the responsibility that comes with entering the profession.
“I know the path you’ve taken to reach this moment,” Mason told graduates in Tri-Cities. “It’s one marked by determination, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to care.”
She reflected on her own experience as a Coug Nurse student and the lasting impact of faculty mentorship and peer support.
“The friendships I formed… became lifelines—sources of strength, laughter, and resilience,” she said.
Mason encouraged graduates to carry those relationships forward as they begin their careers, noting that those connections will continue to shape their growth as nurses and leaders. Throughout their programs, students gained hands-on experience caring for patients facing complex challenges, from chronic illness to barriers in access to care.
“You’ve seen the realities of health care… and you’ve stepped up to meet them,” Mason said.
Student speakers shared their own reflections on the journey to graduation.
In Spokane, Ty Vaeena, BSN ’26, focused on gratitude and the collective journey that brought the class to this moment.
“I wouldn’t trade this experience, or any of you, for the world,” Vaeena said, reflecting on the challenges and growth shared with classmates.
He pointed to long study nights, demanding clinicals, and moments of uncertainty as part of what shaped the cohort.
“We are going to be nurses… you have all grown so much,” he said, urging classmates to take time to recognize how far they’ve come.
Looking ahead, Vaeena encouraged graduates to stay grounded in their purpose.
“Remember your why,” he said. “Our future will be full of long shifts, difficult days, and many moments where you feel exhausted or unsure.”
Ty Vaeena, BSN ’26
He emphasized that nursing goes beyond technical skills.
“Nursing is more than skills, exams, or clinical hours. It’s about showing up for others in their most vulnerable moments and choosing compassion anyway.”
In Yakima, Kacey Fleming, BSN ’26, reflected on the shared challenges and resilience that shaped the undergraduate cohort.
“Today we don’t just celebrate graduation, we celebrate who we’ve become,” Fleming said, pointing to the friendships, perseverance, and sense of purpose that carried students through the program.
Kacey Fleming, BSN ’26
Audra Podruzny, BSN ’12, DNP ’26, RN, represented graduate students in Yakima, reflecting on the persistence required to advance in nursing while balancing work, family, and education.
“This journey has taught me that growth doesn’t happen when things are easy. It happens when we choose to keep going,” Podruzny said.
Audra Podruzny, BSN ’12, DNP ’26, RN
In Tri-Cities, Sarah Green, BSN ’26, echoed similar themes of purpose and service.
“Because nursing isn’t just something we do, it’s something we’re called to,” Green said, encouraging classmates to stay grounded in the reason they chose nursing in the first place.
She added that “sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer is our presence.”
A central moment at each ceremony was the traditional pinning, symbolizing entry into the nursing profession and a commitment to patient care.
Dean Mason closed her remarks by reinforcing the broader purpose of the profession.
“You are entering a profession that needs your courage, your compassion, and your voice,” she said.
As the Spring 2026 cohort moves forward, they carry with them training grounded in clinical practice, community engagement, and a shared commitment to improving health outcomes across the communities they serve.
View graduation and pinning photos on our Flickr Photostream
