Celebrating the Class of 2024

WSU Spokane celebrated the Class of 2024 on Friday, May 10, in a culminating ceremony for graduates from the colleges of Education, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences as well as from the WSU Global Campus.  

Over 2,800 guests filled the Spokane Arena to cheer on a portion of the 314 students who graduated this spring, including 89 PharmD, 67 MD, and 46 DNP recipients.  

“It is a tremendous privilege to share with you today this exciting and well-deserved transition in your life,” said Daryll DeWald, Executive Vice President of WSU Health Sciences and Chancellor of WSU Spokane. “This is a day for you to be proud of your accomplishments and to reflect upon what you have learned and how you have changed.” 

WSU President Kirk Schulz was present to honor graduates and award an Honorary Doctoral Degree to beloved Spokane resident Carla Olman Peperzak. As a 19-year-old Jewish woman living in Amsterdam during the Nazi invasion of World War II, Peperzak escorted and hid family members and other Jews from the Nazis. In his remarks, Schulz noted, “Her journey, her resiliency, and her continued advocacy are not only a testament to the strength of the human will but a reminder for all of us that even in the darkest moments of history, there are those who continue to shine brightly.” 

Graduates and guests also heard from student speakers Pierce Claassen, who received an MD degree, Charis Williams, who received a BSN degree, and Vixen Cope, who received a PharmD degree. 

In her speech, Williams encouraged her fellow graduates to lean on and learn from each other, no matter their profession. “There are many different ways we support and need one another,” Williams said. “Be the Coug who takes students and inspires them. Be the Coug who sees people beyond their illness and situation. Be the Coug who shows up for more than a job. Be the Coug who stands up for yourself and provides care. Be the Coug who stands up for what is right. Be the Coug who never stops learning and be the Coug who supports and values their team.”  

To view a livestream recording of the 2024 WSU Spokane Commencement Ceremony or to download a copy of the program, visit spokane.wsu.edu/commencement