On May 9th UConn Health celebrated its 45th Commencement for 150 members in attendance of its Class of 2016 at UConn’s Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts in Storrs. In total UConn Health graduated 192 students.
The graduates of the Class of 2016 included 82 new doctors and 35 new dentists. This brings the total of UConn Health produced physicians to 3,398 and 1,620 dentists since 1972.
UConn’s Graduate School also issued 27 Ph.D. degrees (including 2 dual M.D./Ph.D. degrees) and 53 master degrees (including 3 dual M.D./M.P.H. degrees) for Master of Public Health, Master of Dental Science, Master of Science in Biomedical Science or Clinical and Translational Research, and Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Science or in Public Health.
In her welcoming remarks UConn President Susan Herbst applauded the graduates choosing to enter the vital field of healthcare saying, “Wherever your path takes you, you will always represent the University of Connecticut.”
Herbst bestowed an honorary degree of Doctorate of Humane Letters upon Commencement Speaker Charles Osgood, a 45-year veteran newsman, a two-decade CBS Sunday Morning anchor, and radio commentator of “The Osgood File.” This honor adds to his countless accolades for journalism excellence ranging from Emmys to Peabodys to national hall of fame inductions for broadcast, radio and cable.
In his Commencement Address Osgood congratulated the Class of 2016 stating, “This is your day, you did it!”
His clever words of wisdom also included: “I admit that I cannot tell you who will be elected President of the United States in November, or how all of this mess will be sorted out. In any event, this much I do know. Unlike many other graduates of this season, who are told it’s a dark cold world out there for college graduates these days, some of them are taking gap tours of the world because the jobs are so scarce. It’s different for you. You are wanted. The world needs you, the world needs you now!”
Osgood added: “There has been some wisdom displayed in the choices that you have already made about where to study and how to make a positive difference in people’s lives. That is what health and healthcare and all other aspects of that field is all about. Your timing is perfect. Medicine stands on the threshold of great advances and you will be a part of that.”
“You are off to a great start. Congratulations and keep up the good work,” said Osgood.
He also urged the graduates to be life-long learners from both their classmates and future colleagues similarly to his career experience at CBS News. “At CBS I have been learning from my colleagues for 40 years now. They turned out to be some of the best people in the business. I urge you to look around and do the same thing.”
During Commencement Dr. Marc Lalande, professor and chair of the Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at UConn Health was awarded the Board of Directors Faculty Recognition Award for his outstanding contributions to research, teaching and mentoring.
Also, a student speaker from each of the medical, dental, and graduate school classes spoke.
“I would like to thank the faculty for a first-class education,” said Daniel Ray, who graduated with master degrees in public administration and public health. “I am confident we will bridge the gaps in our healthcare system.”
Jeffrey Pan a graduate of UConn School of Dental Medicine said, “I am now directing myself toward changing the world one patient at a time,” and later revealed a selfie camera-stick from underneath his graduation gown to capture the important graduation milestone for him and the audience of his fellow cap and gowned classmates. “I am going to miss this place.”
“We are responsible for inspiring the next generation,” said Alex Hennessy, a graduating medical student who will be staying at UConn School of Medicine to complete his residency training in surgery in the field of urology. “Take care of yourselves. Be good to your body and mind, you are your most important patient. I wish you all the best and congratulations on an amazing accomplishment.”
Sanford Cloud, chair of UConn Health’s Board of Directors shared his congratulatory remarks with the graduates: “Be in pursuit of excellence in everything you do. Keep family at the center of your universe. Serve your community of citizens.”
“You will make us proud as a UConn grad,” said Cloud. “Congratulations to the Class of 2016.”
