GMS Graduates Urged to Communicate Evidence-based, Data-driven Science

Surrounded by guests, friends, family members and faculty, master’s degree candidates received diplomas Friday, May 19, at Boston University’s Track & Tennis Center, which was transformed into a welcoming commencement venue.

Associate Provost for Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) Linda Hyman, PhD, presided over the exercises saying, “We tend to reminisce at this occasion, and when you arrived we welcomed you to a place of collegiality, integrity and of the highest academic standards – and I am hoping we did not disappoint you.”

Hyman noted that at commencement she is reminded of events that happened during the graduates’ time at the University.

“There was one very special event that stands out in my mind and it occurred just about a month ago, the March for Science,” she said. “Boston’s version was so vibrant, so energized, so civil and respectful.

“I was reassured that you are committed to evidence-based, data-driven decision making and more importantly that you are committed to getting this word out to the public.”

The Class of 2017 included 354 students receiving the following degrees:

• MA 29
• MS 302
• MS/MPH 23

Three student speakers shared their perspective on their GMS experience and the hopes they have for their classmates.

“I am deeply proud and honored to call you my colleagues,” said Rachel Friedman, who received her master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine. “Being a counselor is about wearing many hats, living many lives, embracing many roles and at times, adopting multiple personalities. It’s also about recognizing that what makes us unique is what binds us … and about learning to help others by learning to accept ourselves.”

Sarah Manely, who earned a master’s in Medical Sciences, said, “Our triumphs are not related to some end goal, but rather to how we faced challenges head on, learned to adapt and treated the people around us.  This type of achievement is worthy of celebrating today.”

“Success is often the culmination of a number of failures and relies less on perfection but rather learning to deal with those failures. The ability to learn from your mistakes and redirect your future is one of the most admirable traits a person can have, and essential to a person’s success,” said Darren Costello, who received a master’s in Oral Health Sciences. “So graduates, follow your passion, work hard at achieving your dreams, and you all will be very successful. I am so proud that the future of medicine will be in your hands, and so proud to call you my colleagues and my friends.”

See the Facebook album for images from the day.