After more than a year of remote and hybrid learning, and with students wearing masks and seated six feet apart, the College of Public Health was finally able to recognize graduating students at an in-person, physically distanced graduation ceremony on May 6 at Geasey Outdoor Field Complex on Temple’s Main Campus.
More than 700 students in the College of Public Health and School of Social Work Class of 2021 were recognized; students who were unable to attend, or felt uncomfortable doing so, were able to submit photographs in order to be recognized in a slideshow of all the graduates. Students from the Class of 2020—who participated in a virtual celebration last year, but could not graduate in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic—also were given the opportunity to walk in this year’s ceremony. After the college ceremony, the university officially conferred undergraduate, graduate and professional program degrees to the Class of 2021 with an online celebration.
The ceremony included a mix of in-person and remotely recorded components in order to limit the number of people on site. In online videos, each of the three speakers addressed the unmistakable role the pandemic has played in students’ education—and how it will shape their future careers.
“This pandemic has been a hardship and a tragedy, but I believe that what you have learned through this crucible will make you better and more effective practitioners, researchers and educators,” said Laura A. Siminoff, dean of the College of Public Health. “It will bring the compassion, vision and understanding of the kind that usually takes many years to develop.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stressed the skills students have strengthened during the pandemic.
“You have faced a life-altering pandemic, and you have stepped up to help,” she said. “COVID-19 tested many of your skills early, especially one skill that you will always need: adaptability.”
In the student address, Laryssa Banks, a graduating bachelor of science in health professions student, reflected on the many trials faced by the Class of 2021: “There are so many historical moments that we have witnessed over the past four years, but it has made us stronger, tougher and, I hope, more compassionate,” she said.
Throughout the day, students were reminded of the importance of the public health, social services and healthcare disciplines in light of the pandemic.
“The circumstances of the pandemic underpin the important work that we do at the College of Public Health and the important work that all of you will do...So much depends on you, society’s future health workforce,” said Dean Siminoff.
Dr. Levine advised that students, despite the pressure of working in a field “right now at the center of the universe,” remember their own care, as well.
“You are being called to do more sooner and with training by fire, so please remember to take care of yourself, too.”
