Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Holds Graduation

NORTH GRAFTON, MA—Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is awarding degrees to 138 students at its 35th Commencement on May 21 at 3 p.m., capping a year of achievement that includes the recent completion of a major renovation to the Henry and Lois Foster Hospital for Small Animals.

Graduates and their families will be greeted by Cummings School Dean Deborah T. Kochevar, D.V.M., Ph.D.; Tufts University Provost and Senior Vice President David R. Harris, Ph.D.; and John H. de Jong, D.V.M., university trustee and member of Cummings School board of advisors, said the announcement. The student speaker is Jenna Caroline Dean. Florina S. Tseng, D.V.M., associate professor of infectious disease and global health, will give the faculty address. Albert G. Andersen, D.V.M., president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association, will be administering the Veterinarian’s Oath.

The commencement exercises celebrates the accomplishments of 96 doctor of veterinary medicine candidates, some of whom have earned additional degrees: 5 will also receive a master in public health; and 3 will also receive a master of science.

Cummings School will be graduating two Ph.D. students, 13 students earning a master of science in animals and public policy; 16 earning a master of science in conservation medicine; and 11 earning a master of science in infectious disease and global health.

Nick Frank D.V.M., Ph.D., professor of clinical sciences, and Daniela Bedenice, D.V.M., associate professor of clinical sciences, will be honored with the Zoetis Animal Health awards for distinguished teaching and research excellence, respectively.

The ceremony also features the presentation of the Artemis Award, which recognizes clinical excellence. This year’s award will be given to Dominik Faissler, Dr. med. vet., assistant professor of clinical sciences. Paula J. Northrop, D.V.M., will be the recipient of the school’s Henry E. Childers Award, which is given to a part-time instructor who has made extraordinary contributions to educating veterinary students.

The commencement ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. at Cummings School’s Grafton campus at 200 Westboro Road at the Agnes Varis Campus Center.

Cummings School’s ceremony will follow Tufts' all-university commencement ceremony to be held at 9 a.m. on Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus.

Among this year’s honorary degree recipients at the all-university commencement is Joyce Cummings, who will receive an Honorary Doctor of Public Service. Joyce, along with her husband William (Bill) Cummings, is founder of Cummings Foundation, Inc., which has awarded more than $140 million in grants to non-profit organizations serving a broad range of causes in greater Boston and around the world, including human services, education, health care, social justice, and support of education to help prevent future genocides and other intercultural violence and injustice. The Cummings' philanthropy has had a significant impact on the Tufts community in particular, including a naming gift in support of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Information via Tufts University

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