Students of New England’s only veterinary school have risen to the many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic to emerge stronger and with skill sets that will prove valuable as they embark on their careers. This year’s 138 graduating students—who have studied topics ranging from veterinary medicine to infectious disease and global health, conservation medicine and animals and public policy—will be recognized for their accomplishments on Sunday, May 23, as Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University marks its 39th Commencement.
The first of the ceremonies, taking place at 1pm, will be held virtually and streamed and will bring together graduates from the school’s master of science degree programs. Attendees will be welcomed with remarks from Cummings School Dean Alastair Cribb and Tufts University President Anthony Monaco. Julie Nicole Arnold, master of science in infectious disease and global health degree recipient, is the selected student speaker, and Allen Rutberg, Ph.D., research associate professor of biomedical sciences, will give the faculty address.
This commencement exercise will recognize the efforts of 12 students earning a master of science in animals and public policy; 19 students earning a master of science in conservation medicine; and 11 students earning a master of science in infectious disease and global health.
Then, at 3pm, candidates for the doctor of veterinary medicine degree, will gather outdoors on campus—observing social distancing and masking protocols—for speeches, awards and presentation of degrees. There will be no guests permitted at this ceremony, which will be streamed for the families and friends of graduates. Dean Alastair Cribb will kick off the ceremony, sharing his comments as well as prepared remarks from Tufts University President Anthony Monaco and Bonnie Smith, V93, president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association. Tatyana Jahn Kalani, candidate for the dual degrees of doctor of veterinary medicine degree and master of public health, will serve as the student speaker, and John Berg, professor of clinical sciences, will give the faculty address. Dean Cribb will close the ceremony by administering the traditional Veterinarian’s Oath.
This commencement exercise will celebrate the accomplishments of 96 doctor of veterinary medicine candidates, some of whom have earned additional degrees:
- seven will also receive a master of public health; and
- three will also receive a master of science in laboratory animal medicine.
The day’s events will also include presentation of a number of awards. Christopher Schonhoff, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, and Gillian Beamer, assistant professor of infectious disease and global health, will be honored with the Zoetis Animal Health awards for distinguished teaching and research excellence, respectively. The Artemis award, recognizing clinical excellence, will be given to Jennifer Grady, V12, clinical assistant professor of clinical sciences. Corinna Beale, V09, assistant director, Tufts Surgical and Interventional Research Laboratories, will be the recipient of the school’s Henry E. Childers, D.V.M., Award, which is given to a member of the extended community who has made extraordinary contributions to educating veterinary students.
Media interested in watching the livestream for either ceremony must contact the Office of Media Relations to obtain credentials. For more information on Tufts University’s main Commencement, which will be virtual this year, please visit: https://commencement.tufts.edu.
