The Milken Institute School of Public Health’s commencement ceremony looked different this year as comments and likes replaced exuberant hugs and exclamations, and the stands and screens in the Charles E. Smith Center were exchanged for couches and computer screens. On May 14, friends, faculty and family came together over Facebook Live to virtually celebrate over 500 graduates who received bachelor, master and doctorate degrees in various public health concentrations.
More than 1,700 people tuned in to view the virtual celebration, which included all the components of an in-person event, with personal touches along the way. As a bagpiper played, viewers read congratulatory messages and notes of advice from members of the Milken Institute SPH community as they waited for the live program to begin. Jane Ogagan, who graduated with a Master of Science in Public Health Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Disease degree, sang the national anthem as patriotic images of Washington, D.C. flitted across the screen.
Dean Lynn Goldman, MD, MS, MPH, donned in a cap and gown, provided remarks to the graduates, their loved ones, and all those viewing the ceremony, noting the unique event and the reason for it: the COVID-19 pandemic. In her remarks, Dean Goldman applauded the graduates on their passion and commitment for public health. She noted the historic pandemic, telling graduates that while the future is unknown, “this is your time to shine.”
“The world needs highly trained public health experts now more than ever and you are graduating at a time unlike no other in history,” Goldman told the graduates.
Student speaker Akua Abrah, who graduated with a Master of Public Health degree, spoke about her lifelong dream of becoming a health practitioner and shared her experience battling a rare autoimmune disease that almost derailed the dream. The experience, she said, reaffirmed her decision to become a healthcare provider, and encouraged her peers to remember the impact of their education on global health as the world experiences a public health crisis.
The keynote speaker was Padmanee Sharma, MD, PhD, professor of genitourinary medical oncology and immunology in the Division of Cancer Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She told graduates that while the ceremony was not as they envisioned, it was momentous. Take the day, even the week, to celebrate, Sharma encouraged graduates, but then look toward the role they could play in helping fight the pandemic.
“Use your voice to participate in a national and international dialogue,” Sharma said. “Use your knowledge to educate others and lead in a crisis. We need you to be the new generation of leaders.”
After the speeches, each graduate was honored with a slide he or she created that featured a photo, a quote and the degree earned. After the ceremony, graduates were encouraged to attend department receptions held via Zoom.
For those who missed the ceremony, would like to share it, or want to watch it again, the Milken Institute SPH 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube.
Social media highlights celebrating the graduates can be seen on Instagram.