Whether it’s in the classroom, leading a club, or serving her community, Taylor Hanscom lives out the St. Joseph’s University, New York motto, Esse non videri — “To be, not to seem,” every day.
A Nursing major with a GPA of 3.985, Hanscom will stand up as a leader once more this spring, as she represents the Long Island Campus as its Class of 2022 valedictorian.
“I was extremely honored to be named the valedictorian of the Class of 2022,” Hanscom, a member of all three of the Long Island Campus honor societies (Gamma Tau Delta, Delta Epsilon Sigma and Kappa Gamma Pi), said. “I am incredibly grateful for the numerous opportunities this university has provided me over the past four years.”
Her commitment to social responsibility and service — two of the University’s five pillars — started well before she arrived at St. Joseph’s. At 10 years old, the Patchogue resident held her first lemonade stand fundraiser, benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the 12 years since, she raised nearly $20,000 total for the cause.
“Being able to help this organization has inspired me in a multitude of ways and has concurrently grown my passion for nursing,” said Hanscom, who in her junior year received the Francis William Antonawich Nursing Scholarship — named after a late Nursing major who died from cancer during his junior year.
Committed to Service
Taylor Hanscom ’22 with her mother Denise, father Jeffery and brother Stanley (a St. Joseph’s alumnus).
As a student at St. Joseph’s University, Hanscom served from 2019 through 2022 as president of Project Sunshine, a student-run, service-based club that aims to bring happiness to pediatric patients across the United States.
As president, Hanscom expanded the club’s reach to Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC), Angela’s House, and Good Samaritan Hospital; helped the club earn Club of the Year honors in 2019-20 for her hard work in maintaining its mission while learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic; and spearheaded the club’s effort in sending more than 1,000 craft kits to pediatric patients across the United States.
“Something that I will miss about being a student at St. Joseph’s is the sense of community and ability to become actively involved in service activities,” Hanscom said. “I have greatly enjoyed participating and running numerous fundraisers throughout my college experience, and I look forward to continuing such service throughout my career.”
This year, Hanscom also helped initiate Project Sunshine’s involvement in a school supply drive (being co-run by the Educators Club) for the Rachel Quinn Children’s Foundation, in honor of the late alumna Rachel (Battaglia) Quinn, who had served as president of Project Sunshine as a student.
A Passion for the Nursing Profession
Hansom’s drive to help others also shines through her nursing accomplishments.
She took part in the prestigious Northwell Health Student Summer Nurse Externship program in 2021 amid the ongoing pandemic, and she was selected by professors and administrators to receive a Golden Ticket to the Northwell Health Golden Ticket Nursing Showcase in 2021 and 2022.
“My favorite memory at St. Joseph’s was the various nursing clinical practicums I completed,” said Hanscom, who also served as a Nursing tutor on campus and volunteered at Stony Brook University Hospital. “Being able to expand my clinical skills throughout the past four years has helped prepare for my future career. Through dedication to my classwork, I have been able to grow as a Nursing student. My Capstone clinical experience in critical care provided mentorship and further growth as I transition into nursing practice.”
After graduating, Hanscom plans to pursue a career in critical care nursing and pediatrics.
“I urge the Class of 2022 to remain curious and innovative, and to embrace new opportunities,” Hanscom, who also excelled as a tennis player with the Golden Eagles, said during her valedictorian speech at the Long Island Toast to the Graduates event. “If such ideals are upheld, we can build tomorrow’s leaders, who are not solely knowledgeable professionals, but concurrently compassionate beings.”
