Averi Jordan Wins President’s Medal

Jaw-dropping. That’s how Averi Jordan ’22 describes winning the President’s Medal at Commencement.

“When I heard my name, I was in shock,” the nursing graduate says. “There are so many other students in my class that would have also been amazing recipients of this award.” 

The President’s Medal is awarded to the graduate who has attained intellectual maturity. Jordan readily admits that her path to achieving maturity wasn’t easy. When she first arrived on campus in 2018, she struggled to adjust to adulthood. 

“I worried about what others thought of me, I wasn’t able to control my emotions, and I couldn’t take responsibility for my own mistakes,” Jordan says. “I’m now able to handle difficult situations and choices myself without having to call my mom right away. … I’m able to realize when I’m reacting inappropriately and apologize when I’m in the wrong.”

As a student, she was a standout women’s basketball player, as well as a member of the student-athlete advisory committee and the student nurses’ association. Now, Jordan plans to use her intellectual maturity to excel as a nurse at Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center in the intensive care unit.

Jordan credits numerous people for helping her mature intellectually, including her parents, the division of nursing, and Fred Richter, director of student-athlete services and women’s basketball coach. 

“One thing I learned at DeSales is that the people you meet here truly want what is best for you and are willing to do anything to help you get there,” Jordan says. “This starts with Father Jim and trickles all the way down to the incoming class of students that will step foot on campus this August.”