37th Annual Commencement Ceremony Showcases the University’ s Pathway to Success( continued)
President David Carlisle and Provost Steven Michael’ s remarks were, as always, right on point. Hopeful in tone, and congratulatory of the lofty achievers whose work has set a high bar for their colleagues still working toward their degrees. Both were sensitive to the conditions of life affecting the University’ s operations and they lauded everyone responsible for the day’ s achievements. Also noted was the way in which COVID-19 has dramatically changed the world of medicine, and how the University responded to the challenge.
Following an introduction by Board of Trustees President Arthur Ochoa, Howard Kahn, retired CEO of LA Care, was awarded the Trustees’ Medal of Honor for his work in attending to undeserved communities with distinction. Mr. Kahn noted the importance of the rebirth of the University under Dr. Carlisle’ s leadership and CDU’ s important achievement of actively nurturing and encouraging a safe learning environment in these stressful times.
Michael Bloomberg received the 2021 President’ s Medal for his significant insight into the important value of minimizing the debt load faced by aspiring physicians with his generous gifts to the HBCU medical schools as a group, and CDU in particular. Dr. Carlisle noted that Mr. Bloomberg has given $ 9.3 million to the University during the pandemic. Mr. Bloomberg thanked Dr. Carlisle for the honor and noted that the graduates will play a special role in the future of medicine.
In citing the efforts implementing the CDU Advantage, Provost Michael observed that the University is undergoing a transformation by becoming a major research university. He extended an invitation to all in attendance to help CDU continue to make that leap forward.
In her remarks, Graduate Speaker Shequila Edwards cited the Barack Obama quote, Fight for Your Seat at the Head of the Table, a major theme of the day. She urged graduates to“ shock the world”.
Supervisor Mitchell’ s keynote address emphasized that her gift for the day was brevity: she told the students to focus on the people in their lives who made the day possible. She also thanked the people who had made her work possible. She cited the late Mervyn M. Dymally, Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Sylvia Drew Ivie as primary inspirations.
The Supervisor asked the graduates: How Big Is Your Brave? At a crossroads in life, decisions are all important and taking the predictable route is not always the best way to go. She urged students to become the University’ s number one champion. Educate people about CDU by telling its story to family and community. She urged people to join the fight for greater access to county services and to resist systems of oppression in their daily work.
Provost Michael introduced Dr. Thomas Magee, President of the Academic Senate, who acknowledged the winners of the University’ s faculty awards. They included Dr. Roberto Vargas, Outstanding Professor Award; Dr. Magda Shaheen, Outstanding Research Award; Dr. Ingrid Roberts-Terrell, Outstanding Teaching Award; and Dr. Delia Santana, Outstanding Service Award. Dr. Roberts-Terrell was recognized posthumously.
President Carlisle presented the Honorary Degree of Doctor Humane Letters to Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the LA County department of Health Services, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the U. S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In his remarks, Dr. Fauci lauded the graduates as he spoke of the need to transform lives through effective public policy that will lead to a more just society.
Outstanding Faculty Award Recipients
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 5