214 Graduates Celebrate Mercy College Commencement
For the first time in 17 months, Mercy College of Ohio graduates will enjoy in-person commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 7, 2021.
Many of 214 graduates have completed the majority of their coursework during the pandemic and demonstrated great resilience and flexibility to complete their programs of study. 40% will receive associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees in nursing just in time for Nurses Week.
Among the graduates is Huong (Rachel) Nguyen (pictured below), who will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Rachel was born in Vietnam and lived in Tacoma, Washington before coming to Ohio and Mercy College.
In addition to adapting to online classes and social isolation during the pandemic, Rachel also faced anti-Asian reactions from people. “Especially early in the pandemic people would turn and go a different direction when I was coming toward them,” she says.
She adds, “A friend in Toledo is what brought me to the area but Mercy College was definitely the right place. Preparing to become a nurse is hard but I loved the small class size and my professors. I’m so proud of my class. They are smart and are going to be great nurses."
Like many Mercy College students, Rachel was offered and accepted a position during her last semester. Rachel says, “I really enjoyed my student experience at the Emergency Department at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center so I accepted an ED position at a Tacoma hospital. I speak fluent Vietnamese and Tacoma has a large Vietnamese population and I hope to use my bilingual skill with nursing to provide healthcare." She begins her new job in July.
Rachel chose her American name from watching the Jennifer Anniston character on Friends.
The Mercy College of Ohio spring commencement ceremony will include graduates receiving master's, bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and credit certificates in nursing and allied health fields, including Biology, Nursing, Paramedic, Healthcare Administration, Health Information Technology, Health Sciences, Medical Imaging Radiologic Technology, Community Health Worker and Ophthalmic Assistant and advanced imaging certificates.
The 2021 Mercy College of Ohio, Toledo Campus, commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live from Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral on May 7 at the following times:
- for Associate and Certificate students from 1-2 p.m.
- for Baccalaureate and Master students from 4-5 p.m.
Please use the link below to enjoy the ceremonies:
https://livestreamstoledo.com/mercy-college-graduation
