Southern University School of Nursing celebrates largest class of doctoral graduates

The Southern University School of Nursing is celebrating another milestone. During the graduate school's commencement ceremony on May 8, the School graduated the largest class of doctoral nursing students in its history.

Twelve students earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, and two students received a Ph.D. in nursing.

“I can remember that first class was a small class, and we graduated three students,” said Dr. Wanda Spurlock, nursing professor, during an interview with WBRZ-TV. “(We will now) be up to approximately 72 graduates in our DNP program.”

This historic moment follows national recognition from earlier this year, when Nurse.org named the Southern University School of Nursing the best nursing school in the United States.

The DNP program was introduced at Southern in 2012. Since then, it has seen steady growth. 

Among the recent graduates, Darryl Davis made history as the first male to earn a doctorate through the DNP program.

“I have been abundantly blessed with great professors, preceptors, classmates and parents who helped to shape my character and motivated me to aim higher and push further to achieve excellence,” Davis said.

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