Commencement, A New Beginning

It is interesting that when students graduate, it isn’t called “Conclusion.” It’s called “Commencement,” a launch, an initiation, a birth, a dawn. Even the word “graduation” has to do with moving from one rank to another. A marking point, not a termination. My point being, although for the Medical School itself, this marks the end of our educating these students, for them it is the beginning of a new phase of life.

This Friday evening, our 2019 class of Medical School graduates take a short walk across a stage, don hoods, and become our next generation of care providers. It is such a small ceremony to mark the culmination of so much effort put in on all sides—students, faculty, and staff alike. Our students represent our legacy, our contribution to our community, and the way we make a difference by leaving this world a better place than we found it.

I would like to invite and encourage all of you to join us at commencement this Friday, May 3 from 2 – 4 p.m. at Northrop Auditorium.

This is one of the rare times when you get to see the results of what we do and the reason we are here. Please join us.