College of Medicine Commencement Recap
The ceremony kicked off with a welcome by the college dean, Dr. Christopher Colenda, followed by stage party introductions by Health Science Center president, Dr. Nancy Dickey. The commencement speaker was Dr. Bernard A Harris, Jr., a former astronaut and current president and CEO of Vesalius Ventures, Inc.
Dr. Harris congratulated the students on their achievements and said that his life was a demonstration of the power of dreams, as he had become a physician, astronaut and venture capitalist. He reminded the graduates that dreams are the reality of the future, they tell us who we really are and that they mustn’t be afraid to live their next dream. Dr. Harris concluded by telling the new doctors to go out and make a difference in the world.
The long awaited moment arrived, as the students were called up on stage to receive their hoods and degrees. Graduate Chris Kneip was honored with the Helen Salyer Anderson Award, which is presented to the outstanding senior for the highest achievement in four years of medical school, and is the only award given at commencement. The award was established in 1980 by Frank G. Anderson, Jr., M.D., in honor of his mother, Helen Salyer Anderson.
Dr. Marci A. Goolsby gave the response for the Class of 2005, followed by the administration of the Oath of Hippocrates by Dr. John C. Starr. Dean Colenda then gave the graduates some advice on what to say when at a loss for words during their residencies, by giving them a tongue in cheek Latin lesson.
The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences then awarded degrees to two students, and Dean Colenda concluded the ceremony. A reception in the Rudder Exhibit Hall followed.
