Congratulations to the December Class of 2025

A group of graduates in navy caps and gowns smile on stage during the commencement ceremony, with faculty standing at each end and banners reading “Hope,” “Peace,” and “Love” in the background.

Baptist Health Sciences University celebrated its Winter Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Second Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. This ceremony marked a historic milestone as the first held under the University’s new Colleges structure: the College of Nursing, College of Health Professions, and College of Sciences and General Studies.

President Hampton Hopkins, Ed.D., conferred associate, bachelor’s, and doctoral degrees to 33 graduates representing Biomedical Sciences, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Health Administration, Medical Laboratory Science, Pre-Health Studies, and Nursing.

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Anuja Ghorpade recognized graduates receiving special honors, including magna cum laude, summa cum laude, and cum laude distinctions.

Chair of the Board of Directors Beverly Jordan presented the Board of Directors Award to Taylor Erb, Nursing graduate. This prestigious award recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, commitment to community service, dedication to Christian principles and potential for leadership in the health care professions.

Director of Development for the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, Sherita Martin, presided over the following awards:

Elizabeth Farnell Achievement Award – Presented to Taylor Erb, Nursing graduate. This award, named in memory of Elizabeth Farnell, vice president of Nursing for Baptist Memorial Hospital from 1971 to 1991, honors her significant contributions to the nursing profession during her 20 years of service. The recipient attained the highest cumulative grade point average among entry-to-practice nursing graduates.

Joseph H. Powell Award – Presented to Karla Quezada, Medical Laboratory Sciences graduate. This award honors Joseph Powell, former CEO of Baptist Memorial Hospital and Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation, for his legacy of leadership in health care and community service. The recipient demonstrated outstanding academic performance and potential for advanced study in the health sciences.

Dr. Thomas McColl Chesney Award – Presented to Karla Quezada, Medical Laboratory Sciences graduate. Established by the Pathology Group of Memphis in honor of Dr. Thomas M. Chesney, a distinguished general surgical pathologist and former president, this award recognizes the graduate with the highest cumulative grade point average in the Medical Laboratory Science major.

Sarah Ainsworth Award – Presented to Kelli Brenn, Medical Laboratory Sciences graduate. Established by a gift from her husband, Jim, this award honors Sarah Ainsworth’s dedication to helping her students grow as health care professionals. The recipient demonstrates leadership potential, commitment to Christian values, and ranks in the top 25% of the graduating class.

Dean of Nursing Cathy Stepter presented the Sigma Theta Tau Student Achievement Award to nursing graduate Taylor Erb. This award, given by faculty, recognizes a nursing graduate who embodies the mission of Sigma Theta Tau International, the National Honor Society of Nursing and the second-largest nursing organization in the world. The recipient has demonstrated leadership in the classroom and clinical settings.

Dr. Stepter also presented the Doctor of Nursing Practice Leadership and Clinical Award to Giselle Hargrove. This award recognizes a well-rounded professional Doctorate in Nursing Practice student who demonstrates clinical excellence, exemplary professional behavior, encourages and supports other students, and provides leadership to the Baptist University, the community and/or the nursing profession. 

Doctor of Nursing Practice Hooding & Honors Scholars

During commencement, candidates for the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree were officially hooded.
Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner project topics included:

  • Giselle Hargrove: Using Music Therapy to Improve Stroke Recovery Outcomes: An Integrative Review
  • Sarah McPherson: Early High-Level Mobility in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

On Tuesday, December 9, BHSU also held its Honors Medallion Ceremony to recognize exceptional academic achievement. The following scholars were honored:

  • Alpha Eta Society Inductee:
    • Kelli Brenn, Medical Laboratory Sciences
  • Upsilon Phi Delta Inductees:
    • Campbell Mundroff, Health Administration
    • Ramsha Waseem, Health Administration
  • Honors Graduates:
    • Taylor Erb, Nursing
    • Kennedy Wright, Nursing

A Message to Our Graduates

Congratulations, graduates! On behalf of Baptist Health Sciences University and the Alumni Association, we are delighted to officially welcome you to our team of alumni. You are an invaluable part of the BHSU family, a connection that will remain with you for life. As you begin your careers, know that you have a tremendous amount of support surrounding you. We wish you the very best and continued success in fulfilling your calling. Keep us updated at [email protected].