Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine Commencement Ceremony to Take Place June 2

Contact: Kevin M. Sanders, writer/editor, (740) 593-0896

ATHENS, Ohio (May 21, 2001) -- The students of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine's (OU-COM) Class of 2001 will receive their medical degrees on Saturday, June 2, at the college's commencement exercise, the second to be held separately from Ohio University's general graduate commencement. The commencement will take place in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium at 10 a.m. One hundred one students will receive D.O. degrees.

Although the Class of 2001 is the 22nd class of students to receive medical degrees at Ohio University, the June 2 graduation is the second to be held independently from the university's, which will take place the following Friday. OU-COM sent its first class of physicians into the world in 1980. The college is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, having been established in 1975. It is the only osteopathic medical school in Ohio.

"I am extremely proud of all our graduates and the hard work it has taken them to reach this point," said OU-COM Interim Dean Daniel Marazon, D.O. "I wish them well as they go out into the world representing OU-COM. This is my first year participating in the ceremony as dean, and I am honored to be able to give the dean's award as well as present the class, meet their families and administer the osteopathic oath."

Presiding over the ceremony will be Ohio University President Robert Glidden, Ph.D.

"The practice of medicine is a challenging and wonderful responsibility," said Glidden. "Coming during the college's celebration of its 25th anniversary, this commencement and award ceremony acknowledges a great deal of hard work and dedication on the part of these 101 graduates in their preparation to become physicians. It also recognizes the efforts of our faculty and staff in helping them succeed."

Charles Ping, Ph.D., former president of Ohio University, will give the commencement address. Ping's administration began the same year OU-COM opened its doors.

Several prominent state osteopathic medical leaders will present awards and make remarks during the two-hour exercise, including Robert Juhasz, D.O., president of the Ohio Osteopathic Association; Jay Shubrook, D.O., president of OU-COM's Society of Alumni and Friends; and Marazon.

"OU-COM graduation 2001 serves as an appropriate 'beginning to the end' of our 25th anniversary year," said Chip Rogers, director of advocacy. "The ceremony is made more significant with the address by Charles Ping, who greeted our inaugural class in 1976."

A reception will be held at the end of the ceremony in the Baker Center Ballroom.