Students at New England’s only veterinary school have faced the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in order to appear empowered and with skills that will prove valuable early in their careers. This year’s 138 graduates, who have studied topics ranging from Veterinary Medicine to Infectious Disease and Global Health, Conservation Medicine and Animal Welfare to Public Order, will be marked as Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University on Sunday, May 23rd its 39th beginning.
The first of the ceremonies takes place at 1 p.m., held virtually and streamed, brings together graduates from the school’s Master of Science degree. Attendees are greeted with comments from the Dean of the Cummings School, Alastair Cribb, and the President of Tufts University, Anthony Monaco. Julie Nicole Arnold, MSc in Infectious Diseases and recipient of a global health degree, is the selected student representative, and Allen Rutberg, Ph.D., Research Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, will provide the faculty address.
This activity recognizes the efforts of 12 students who have earned a Masters of Science degree in Animal and Political Science. 19 students who have earned a Master of Science degree in Conservation Medicine; and 11 students who earned a Masters of Science in Infectious Diseases and Global Health.
Then, at 3 p.m., Doctor of Veterinary Medicine candidates will gather outdoors on campus, following social distancing and masking protocols to deliver speeches, award prizes, and award degrees. No guests are permitted at this ceremony, which is streamed for the families and friends of graduates. Dean Alastair Cribb will open the ceremony and share his comments and prepared remarks from Anthony Monaco, President of Tufts University and Bonnie Smith, V93, President of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association. Tatyana Jahn Kalani, candidate for double doctorates of veterinary medicine and master of public health, will serve as the student speaker and John Berg, professor of clinical science, will provide the faculty address. Dean Cribb will end the ceremony with the veterinarian’s traditional oath.
This opening exercise will celebrate the accomplishments of 96 veterinary medicine candidates, some of whom have additional degrees:
- seven also receive a Masters of Public Health; and
- Three also receive a Master of Science degree in laboratory animal medicine.
The day’s events also include the presentation of a number of awards. Christopher Schonhoff, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences, and Gillian Beamer, Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, receive the Zoetis Animal Health Award for outstanding teaching and research. The Artemis Prize for Clinical Excellence will be presented to Jennifer Grady, V12, Clinical Assistant Professor of Clinical Sciences. Corinna Beale, V09, Associate Director of Tufts Surgical and Interventional Research Laboratories, receives the school’s Henry E. Childers, DVM Award, presented to a member of the wider community who has made exceptional contributions to the education of veterinary students.
Media wishing to watch the livestream for either ceremony must contact the Office of Media Relations for login information. For more information on the main start of Tufts University, which will be virtual this year, please visit: https://commencement.tufts.edu.
