Nursing graduate Kirstin Hill smiles wide at the Aug. 8 commencement ceremony after completing 15 months of intensive studying and clinical rotations to finally hold her bachelor’s of science degree in hand – or at least the sleeve for it. Along with other summer graduates, she’ll receive her actual degree in the mail.

During Hill’s time in the accelerated BSN program, she volunteered as an instructor for the Little Nursing School program, which introduces nursing to fourth-grade students at Girls Inc. of St. Louis and Barack Obama Elementary School. The summer volunteer opportunity helped Hill meet the community nursing requirement for her BSN and was the final step in completing her degree.

The photograph was taken by UMSL photographer August Jennewein and is the latest to be featured in Eye on UMSL.