BMCC Celebrates 83 Nursing Graduates from Class of 2025

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) celebrated the 83 graduates from the Nursing Department’s January Class of 2025 during an afternoon pinning ceremony on January 8, in Theatre One at 199 Chambers Street.

Dressed in their crisp white uniforms, the graduates stepped in measured unison to designated seats in the middle of the auditorium, while pomp and circumstance played over the theatre’s speakers. Family, friends and significant others proudly cheered them on.

After a moving acapella rendition of the National Anthem, performed by Class of 2025 member Hannah Germand, Nursing Department Chairperson Dr. Ronnie Ursin offered opening remarks to the graduates and guests.

“As you receive your pins today, know this is not just a symbol of your accomplishments, it is a reminder of the profound responsibility you now carry, the pin represents the trust, confidence and patience families and communities place in the hands of nurses,” said Dr. Ursin. “It is a call to continue to learn, to be a beacon of care and support and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, empathy and integrity.”

During his welcoming remarks, BMCC President Anthony E. Munroe told the graduates that the pinning ceremony event marks the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, but also the beginning of a journey that will be rewarding and challenging.

“To our graduates, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tremendous effort you have put into reaching this stage,” said Dr. Munroe. “Your commitment has brought you here today, and I am very proud of each and every one of you.  Nursing is more than a career it is a calling.”

The President told the graduates that they will find themselves in situations where they witness humanity at its most vulnerable moments as well as its most joyous occasions.

“You will be the ones holding the hands of patients in their darkest hours and their brightest days,” said Dr. Munroe.  “You’ll be the ones who offer comfort and compassion when it is needed most. Nurses like you are essential to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our society. You are entering a field where your contributions will have lasting effects, shaping the future of healthcare for years to come.”

Other featured speakers included keynote speaker Professor Kent Alford,  Dr. Liesel Jones, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President; Dr. Gail Fernandez, Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs; Dr. Janice Zummo, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Academic Support Services and Dr. Marva Craig, Vice President for Student Affairs.

“Before you were born, there was a job waiting for you, there has always been a shortage of nurses,” said Dr. Craig. “The pandemic didn’t cause it, it worsened it.”

The room erupted in applause when Dr. Craig pointed out that nursing is one of the few professions with a life-sustaining wage in which women dominate the field.

“Men, we’re looking for more of you and your friends to join the profession,” she added to even more enthused applause.

All the candidates for January 2025 passed their final surgical nursing course making them eligible for graduation according to Nursing Professor Catherine Mbewe. In the weeks to come, the graduates will sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). Upon passing the rigorous test, they will be in high-demand on the local job market. By 2030, New York is expected to face a shortage of nearly 40,000 registered nurses according to the state’s Department of Health.

In addition to being a featured speaker, Dr. Erwin Wong, BMCC’s former Provost and Senior Vice President, who recently retired after 45 years of service to the College, was also honored by the nursing faculty at the ceremony.

“Being a staff member, being an administrator, our mission at BMCC is very simple, we save lives,” said Dr. Wong.  “We provide our students with the best programs, the best faculty, the best opportunities so that our students succeed.  We make sure you have very opportunity and chance to do the best you can.”

Dr. Wong cited data showing students often arrive at BMCC in the lower income level.  That same data shows that when those students graduate, over the following two years, they find themselves among the middle to upper-middle class in terms of earnings.

“When you get your Registered Nurse designation, you’re going to be in good shape financially,” said Dr. Wong. “In turn, you also will help others.”

After a slideshow of memorable moments featuring members of the Class of January 2025, gradates Ariana Siegel, Leah Todd and Joyce Richardson talked about their experiences during their time in the Nursing program.

Several students from the morning, afternoon and evening classes were recognized with awards including:

NURSING AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

Jessica Agngarayngay

Alessandra Volpi

Madeleine Wood

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD.

Viktor Kytmanov

Vinh Trong Lu

Joyce Richardson

NURSING HUMANITARIAN AWARD.

Erica Rowe

Gustavo Guzman

Abidally Azimulla

 

BEST ALL-AROUND STUDENT

Myagmartseren Purev

Paulina Skulimowski

Nikycia  Boston

 

AUBREY T. ROBINSON AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP, INTELLIGENCE, COMPASSION, AND HUMOR.

Maximo Rojas

 

SYLVIA VINCENT CORLISS AWARD FOR INTELLIGENCE, CARING, AND HUMOR.

Nkira Barrow

Congratulations to the January Class of 2025  (listed below, last name first, in alphabetical order).

 

Agngarayngay, Jessica C

Anggono-Polles, Fera

Augello, Jacqueline Elaine

Ayadi, Abdelmalek

Azimulla, Abidally

Barrow, Nkira

Bartkiv, Bohdan

Beaton, Patricia M

Binder, Gianna A

Boston, Nikycia D

Breton, Ernesto

Bruno-Pacella, Isabella Theresa

Cabral, Nataly Michelle

Cabreja, Luana

Castillo, Patricia

Chan, Mickey

Choedhen, Tenzin

Cole-colquhoun, Valerie M

Condeza, Ailine Gurro

Davy, Tyler W

Deluca, Brittany

Deperalto, Camille Elecia

Didyk, Tetiana

Dorfman, Amanda Rose

Elescano, Ashley

Escobar, Teresa

Fleury, Lucinda M

Franklin, Hillary

Grym, Cecelia

Guzman Silva, Gustavo Alfonso

Hakim, Deniz N

Han, Edward

Huang, Yingxin

Hunte, Kristal

Inukova, Kseniia

Jata, Klodesa

Jimenez, Anna I

Kytmanov, Viktor

Laaraibi, Aya

Lagrana, Nemesio Lavilla

Lama, Tenzin Tsering

Latouche, Aulette Merle

Laurent, Verde

Lee, Christon

Leon, Deleny

Leon, Gina S

Lu, Vinh Trong

Mack, Iris

Martinez, Idalia Caridad

Milton, Jamiel

Munguia Castillo, Steffany

Nido, Rebecca S

Olakunle, Grace Adesiola

Orellana, Marjorie G

Paul, Ariess Delores

Purev, Myagmartseren

Quach, Elaine

Quito, Bridgett

Richardson, Joyce R.

Rojas Juarez, Maximo

Rowe, Erica B

Salibi, Jennifer

Serrano, Courtney Y