Frontier Nursing University Holds Commencement In-Person For the First Time Since 2019

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) celebrated the 1,064 students who graduated in 2022 at the university’s first in-person commencement ceremony since 2019. The 2020 and 2021 ceremonies were held virtually due to the pandemic. All graduates from 2020 and 2021 were also invited to attend the 2022 ceremony, which was held at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday, September 24. Approximately 1,500 people were in attendance, including 264 graduates, over 1,000 family members and friends, and FNU faculty and staff.

“The past two years have been incredibly difficult for so many people, and we are very proud of the determination and desire you have displayed in earning your degree,” said FNU Dean of Nursing Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN. “We can all agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the invaluable roles that nurses and midwives play in providing healthcare around the globe. After today, each of you will be able to say you graduated during an unforgettable time in our history. You are ready to make a significant difference and contribution to your community, and that is what Frontier Nursing University expects from all members of our community. We make a difference by answering the call to serve.”

Dr. Slager went on to introduce the keynote speaker, Dr. Tim Raderstorf, DNP, RN. Dr. Raderstorf is the Talent Partner for AndHealth, a digital health company focused on helping people reclaim their lives from chronic illness. He also holds volunteer positions as the Head of Academic Entrepreneurship at the Erdo¨s Institute and the Chief Operating Officer of the non-profit NursesEverywhere. He is a member of the American Nurses Association’s Innovation Advisory Board. In his previous role, Tim was the Chief Innovation Officer at The Ohio State University College of Nursing. Dr. Raderstorf is also the founder of the Innovation Studio, a maker space that democratizes innovation, providing every interprofessional team that pitches their innovation with the funding, tools, and mentorship needed to turn ideas into actions.

His new textbook, co-authored with Bern Melnyk, Evidence-Based Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Nursing and Healthcare: A Practical Guide for Success, was a #1 new release on Amazon and the American Journal of Nursing’s Management & Leadership Book of the Year. Dr. Raderstorf was recently inducted into the 2020 Class of 40 under 40 by Columbus Business