NORTH GRAFTON, Mass. (May 13, 2019)–Equipped to excel at career paths ranging from veterinary medicine to conservation medicine, the study of infectious disease, and advancement of animal policy and animal welfare issues, 147 students will be awarded degrees on Sunday, May 19, at 3 p.m. from New England’s only veterinary school, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. The celebration of Commencement will be marked by speeches, awards and the presentation of degrees. The graduates and their guests will be treated to an appearance by four members of Worcester Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit, along with their horses.
Attendees will be welcomed by Cummings School Dean ad interim Joyce S. Knoll, Tufts University Provost and Senior Vice President ad interim Deborah T. Kochevar; and John H. de Jong, university trustee and member of Cummings School board of advisors. The student speakers are Cindy Cesar, candidate for doctor of veterinary medicine degree, and Robin Irene Kopplin, candidate for master of science in animals and public policy degree. Raymond K. Kudej, associate professor of clinical sciences, will give the faculty address. Cynthia Fuhs, alumna and president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, will be administering the Veterinarian’s Oath.
The commencement exercises will celebrate the accomplishments of 94 doctor of veterinary medicine candidates, some of whom have earned additional degrees:
six will also receive a master of public health; and
four will also receive a master of science.
Cummings School will be graduating one Ph.D. student, 18 students earning a master of science in animals and public policy; 18 students earning a master of science in conservation medicine; and 16 students earning a master of science in infectious disease and global health.
Gregory M. Wolfus, clinical assistant professor of clinical sciences, and Jonathan A. Runstadler, professor of infectious disease and global health, 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 Stefano Pizzirani, associate professor of clinical sciences. Jacqueline Fremont-Rahl, adjunct assistant professor of environmental and population health, will be the recipient of the school’s Henry E. Childers, D.V.M., 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 100,000 animal cases each year; and groundbreaking research that benefits animal, human, and environmental health.
