NORTH GRAFTON, Mass., May 14, 2018—Forty years ago, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University became New England’s only veterinary school, focused on education, clinical care and interdisciplinary research. This Sunday, May 20, 2018, at 3pm, the school will award degrees to 147 students—whose studies varied from veterinary medicine to the intersection of animals and public policy, to infectious disease and global health—at its 36th Commencement.
The graduates and their families will be welcomed by Cummings School Dean Deborah T. Kochevar, D.V.M., Ph.D.; Tufts University Executive Vice President Patricia L. Campbell.; and John H. de Jong, D.V.M., university trustee and member of Cummings School's board of advisors. The student speaker is Molly Hunt Lawry. Lois Wetmore, D.V.M., Sc.D., assistant professor of Clinical Sciences, will give the faculty address. Albert G. Andersen, D.V.M., president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, will be administering the Veterinarian’s Oath.
The commencement exercises will celebrate the accomplishments of 97 doctor of veterinary medicine candidates, some of whom have earned additional degrees:
- five will also receive a master in public health; and
- six will also receive a master of science.
Cummings School will be graduating one Ph.D. student, one student receiving a master of science in life sciences; 18 students earning a master of science in animals and public policy; 15 students earning a master of science in conservation medicine; and 15 students earning a master of science in infectious disease and global health.
Trisha Oura, D.V.M., assistant professor of Clinical Sciences, and Cheryl London, D.V.M., Ph.D., research professor of Clinical Sciences, will be honored with the Zoetis Animal Health awards for distinguished teaching and research excellence, respectively.
The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the Artemis Award, which recognizes clinical excellence. This year’s award will be given to Thomas M. Jenei, D.V.M., clinical assistant professor of Clinical Sciences. Charles Innis, V.M.D., will be the recipient of the school’s Henry E. Childers Award, which is given to a part-time instructor who has made extraordinary contributions to educating veterinary students.
The commencement ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. at Cummings School’s Grafton campus at 200 Westboro Road at the Agnes Varis Campus Center.
Cummings School’s ceremony will follow Tufts' all-university commencement ceremony to be held at 9 a.m. on Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus (http://commencement.tufts.edu/).
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About Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University
Founded in 1978 in North Grafton, Mass., Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is internationally esteemed for academic programs that impact society and the practice of veterinary medicine; seven teaching hospitals and clinics that combined log more than 80,000 animal cases each year; and groundbreaking research that benefits animal, human, and environmental health.
