In order to commemorate both the grand opening of the Emory Nursing Learning Center (ENLC) and to welcome the incoming class with open arms, we joined Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing two-day celebration filled with food, fun, and other festivities.

 
 

Around 800 new students, faculty members, and staff gathered in the Learning Center's atrium to enjoy an exciting, interactive orientation complete with a tour of the new state-of-the-art simulation labs and classrooms, 3D photo ops with new classmates, complimentary pizza and King of Pops, and even a 150-year-old Emory tradition of participating in the infamous Coke Toast! In fact, on June 2, 1982, over 2,000 community members of Emory University came together and broke the Guinness World Record for the largest non-alcoholic toast in Guinness history

Part of the festivities also included a raffle with some amazing prizes:

The excitement was palpable as attendees mixed and mingled all afternoon. And while our community members got acquainted with their new home-away-from-home and their fellow peers, we invited participants to share why they decided to go to nursing school in the first place:

No surprise here that the majority responded with “helping others,” though it was heartwarming and inspirational to hear specific responses from our community members:

[I decided to become a nurse] due to my own experiences as a patient and the impact nurses have made on my life.”

My aunt and grandmother are both nurses and have been truly inspirational. Growing up they told me many stories that excited me about my future as a nurse.

I chose nursing because of my journey through pregnancy when I was a patient. A nurse held my hand gently as I went through labor – she was my inspiration of excellent patient care and why I chose nursing. I want to provide the same care to my future patient.

And they made the right choice coming here. The Emory School of Nursing is committed to continuously setting the standards of excellence and creating an environment designed to enhance nursing education and teaching methods by embracing innovation and technology. Only made possible by Emory and building owners, The University Financing Foundation (TUFF), the Experience Emory activation was a complete success – and a great way to kickoff the new school year.