Outstanding Speakers and Award Recipients
37th Annual Commencement Ceremony Showcases the University’ s Pathway to Success
On June 7th, CDU’ s Commencement ceremony started on a traditional note with Pomp and Circumstance, a precursor of what was to follow on that day. But the event was not a conventional observance by any measure. Presented via YouTube and Facebook Live, the range of distinguished speakers, honorees and invited guests, and the record size of the graduating class was literally a virtual demonstration that the coordinated work of the University’ s entire team has led to the ever-increasing prominence that the University now enjoys on the national stage.
In the face of the worldwide effort that has gone into combating the pandemic, the focus on identifying the leading institutions with a fix on how to eradicate health care disparities, and CDU’ S swift response by making adjustments on the fly to provide the highest quality education for the most diverse group of students during these times, the University has set a high bar for other institutions. Just as the Commencement signaled that graduating students have completed their course of study and are ready for the world, the fact that the University’ s work as an innovating institution is now recognized in a wide array of circles came across full force.
Cheering on the graduates was a who’ s-who of very special, committed dignitaries. That included the University’ s Board of Trustees and the Hon. Holly Mitchell, the County Supervisor governing the 2nd District where the University sits. Also lending their voices were leading health care funding benefactors, as well as the decision makers who have shaped the course of life in the County – and the country- for the past year and a half. This mix of thought leaders and inspirational public figures made the 2021 Commencement perhaps the most important public event in the University’ s history.
How else could one define what took place? 489 graduates, a number never before achieved in the University’ s history. An extremely wide variety of degrees and specializations from the three colleges and school that comprise the institution. Families, onlookers, and the respective Deans of the Colleges of Medicine, Science and Health, and the Interim Dean of the Mervyn M. Dymally School of Medicine adding passion, enthusiasm, spice and needed commentary that hallmarked the day.
Outstanding Speakers and Award Recipients
Hon. Michael Bloomberg Dr. Anthony Fauci Dr. Barbara Ferrer
Hon. Holly Mitchell( receiving DHL degree)
Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith
Dr. Hector Balcazar Dr. Delia Santana Shekila Edwards
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 4