Nursing Graduate Named College of Health Science Valedictorian
Published: April 18, 2023 | Author: Clare-Estelle Perkins | Read Time: 3 minutes
Sydney Bond has been named the 2023 valedictorian for Southern Utah University’s College of Health Sciences. She is graduating with a degree in nursing with a minor in human nutrition and plans to work in southern Utah as a nurse after graduation.
Bond is from Los Angeles, California and has always had a passion for health and service, “Putting the love of health and service together helped me choose my future in nursing. I am passionate about helping people learn how they can better take care of themselves.”
Bond knew she wanted to leave California for school, and after a quick search she found SUU’s nursing program and fell in love with the University. She loves the outdoors and SUU’s world's best backyard. Bond knew from a young age what she wanted to study based on her passions but SUU helped her to expand her interests, get experience and meet lots of different people.
“SUU has prepared me really well for what I knew I wanted to do and expanded my horizons and opened me up to all sorts of possibilities,” said Bond.
Bond greatly appreciates the passion for different subjects her professors shared with her through lectures and particularly enjoyed doing research on the effects fluoride has on the enzyme lysozyme of saliva with Assistant Professor of Biology Dr. Samuel Wells.
"I teach hundreds of students every year and can say that I cannot think of anyone more prepared than Sydney for the further challenges of medical training," said Dr. Wells. “She is a top student in a competitive program and I can comfortably give her my highest recommendation. Sydney has gained confidence during her short time at SUU and has become a capable scientist, student and colleague. Her capability for learning and improving her skills is really quite impressive. It is clear that she is going to be successful in her career."
Additionally, she loved the experience she gained as a nurse intern at a summer camp for neurodivergent kids.
Bond has been a member of the Hiking Club and the Service Club where she went on service trips such as volunteering at Best Friends Animal Society, exercising her passions for the outdoors and caring for others.
Bond is proud to be graduating this April as she had a hard history with mental health in high school resulting in a shift to online sessions. She was eager to get back into in-person school and the college experience.
“SUU has been a really great environment for me to grow in and discover myself,” said Bond. “Learning to be okay with being wrong and not knowing what I'm doing. Being okay with having to figure things out and things being bumpy sometimes.”
Being named valedictorian is a confirmation of her hard work and how far she has come. She considers it a great honor and one of her proudest achievements.
“If I could go back, I would tell myself to get involved in as many things as you can,” said Bond. “Now is the time to join all the different clubs, try something you’ve never tried before, and get to know all the great people. And I suggest all new students do the same.”
Southern Utah University’s Commencement Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. in the America First Event Center. The Commencement Ceremony is open to all graduating students and their guests. Tickets are not required, but graduates and their families will be given priority seating.
Visit SUU’s graduation website for a full schedule of events.
Tags: College of Health Sciences Nursing Graduation