OU-COM Commencement to Take Place June 3
Note: For more information, please contact Kevin Sanders, writer/editor,
at (740) 593-0896.
ATHENS, Ohio (May 31, 2000) -- The Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
(OU-COM) Class of 2000 will receive their doctor of osteopathic medicine
degrees on Saturday, June 3, during the college's commencement exercise, the
first 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 students will receive degrees.
Although the Class of 2000 is the 21st class of students to receive
medical degrees at Ohio University, the June 3 graduation is the first 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. OU-COM was established in 1975 and is the only osteopathic medical
school in Ohio.
"The year 2000 graduation is a historic moment in the history of the
College of Osteopathic Medicine at Ohio University. This event marks two
firsts, the first graduating class of the new millennium and the first
separate graduation for OU-COM," said Barbara Ross-Lee, D.O., dean of
OU-COM. 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, "and this commencement and award ceremony
acknowledges the hard work that these 100 students completed in order to
become physicians as well as the efforts of faculty and staff in helping
them succeed.
"I know that everyone at the medical school has worked extremely
hard to put together this first independent commencement, and I am very
happy that together we have been able to pull it off."
The graduation ceremony, which will include the awarding of degrees,
presentation of academic awards and recitation of the Osteopathic Oath has
been more than 18 months in the planning, said Chip Rogers, director of
advocacy. William Anderson, D.O., former president of the American
Osteopathic Association and former civil rights leader, who founded the
Albany Movement in Georgia, will give the commencement address. Anderson
received OU-COM's highest award, the Phillips Medal of Public Service in
1986.
Several prominent state osteopathic medical leaders will present
awards and make remarks during the two-hour exercise, including Alison
Clarey, D.O., president of the Ohio Osteopathic Association; Barbara
Bennett, D.O., president of OU-COM's Society of Alumni and Friends; and
William Burke, D.O., executive vice chairman, Ohio University Alumni
Association Board of Directors.
"Having our own stand-alone graduation ceremony is a great way to
presage a year of 25th anniversary celebrations, which begin in the fall,"
said Rogers.
A reception will be held at the end of the ceremony in the Baker
Center Ballroom.
