University of Nebraska Regent Jack Stark, PhD, had a message for the approximately 400 UNMC students who received their degrees at the UNMC Winter Commencement at the Baxter Arena on Dec. 15.
“Your services are desperately needed,” the former UNMC faculty member said as he addressed the graduates from the podium. “You will have an awesome responsibility of saving lives, delivering babies, taking away pain, improving the quality of life, helping people to walk and talk and eat. There is no greater calling in life.”
When UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, rose to close the ceremony, it was clear he agreed.
“This day reminds me, and hopefully reminds all of you, that achievement of a goal, particularly a lifetime-defining goal, takes talent, it takes time, it takes tenacity, and it takes real perseverance.”
See a photo album from the event.
“My favorite part of these commencement ceremonies is getting to look out and see the true joy in all of your faces, to bestow your new degrees, and to have the unique opportunity to congratulate you on your achievement.”
One of those joyful faces belonged to Neha Chaudhary, a PhD graduate in biochemistry and molecular biology, who laughed happily when she was addressed before the ceremony as “Dr. Chaudhary.”
“I’m very excited,” she said. She will be working at Merck Pharmaceuticals after graduation.
A native of India, whose husband and young son were with her in the staging area before graduates lined up for the processional, Dr. Chaudhary said she was apprehensive when she first arrived at UNMC for her graduate studies, but she found a welcoming atmosphere.
“There were a lot of student association communities that really helped me make friends,” she said. “It was great. And our department has a lot of programs where students can meet, hang out and talk about anything that’s happening in their lives, issues or anything like that, or just a place to make friends. That helped a lot.”
Luke Goldenstein, a BSN graduate, also said he was excited for this milestone.
“It’s been a long, busy year, pretty packed and fast-paced,” he said.
Goldenstein, who found his calling in nursing after working as a CNA, said he enjoyed his time at UNMC.
“It’s been busy, but they’ve provided us with a lot of resources, and we’ve had a lot of good experiences,” he said.
Dele Davies, MD, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies, said events such as Friday’s fill him with pride.
“This is the culmination of everything that we are all about, to train the next generation of health care workers, researchers, educators,” Dr. Davies said. “When you see them walk across the stage, there’s a sense of great pride, not just for us as an organization, but for their families, their friends, their loved ones, and the faculty and staff who have invested so much in them. This is a special time for me, and I always look forward to it.”
Karen Gould, PhD, assistant dean of graduate student success, served as a marshal at commencement.
“There are a number of PhD and master’s students graduating that I know well,” she said. “This is the culmination of all their hard work and accomplishments, and it’s a great opportunity to celebrate with them. … I really feel the depth of their accomplishment and incredibly proud and excited for them to be stepping off to the next phase of their education or careers.”
Maj. Gen. (ret.) Paul Friedrichs, MD, director of the new White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy, also was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the event for high distinction in his service to our nation through the areas of science and medicine.
Wow! Amazing. Hope to be in this great citadel of learning someday. Congratulations to all the graduates.