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Surrounded by guests, friends, family members and faculty, master\u2019s degree candidates received diplomas Friday, May 19, at Boston University\u2019s Track & Tennis Center, which was transformed into a welcoming commencement venue.<\/p>\n
Associate Provost for Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) Linda Hyman, PhD, presided over the exercises saying, \u201cWe 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 \u2013 and I am hoping we did not disappoint you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hyman noted that at commencement she is reminded of events that happened during the graduates\u2019 time at the University.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was one very special event that stands out in my mind and it occurred just about a month ago, the March for Science,\u201d she said. \u201cBoston\u2019s version was so vibrant, so energized, so civil and respectful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Class of 2017 included 354 students receiving the following degrees:<\/p>\n
Three student speakers shared their perspective on their GMS experience and the hopes they have for their classmates.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am deeply proud and honored to call you my colleagues,\u201d said Rachel Friedman, who received her master\u2019s in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine. \u201cBeing a counselor is about wearing many hats, living many lives, embracing many roles and at times, adopting multiple personalities. It\u2019s also about recognizing that what makes us unique is what binds us \u2026 and about learning to help others by learning to accept ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah Manely, who earned a master\u2019s in Medical Sciences, said, \u201cOur 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.\u00a0 This type of achievement is worthy of celebrating today.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSuccess 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\u2019s success,\u201d said Darren Costello, who received a master\u2019s in Oral Health Sciences. \u201cSo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n