It’s been an exciting journey for students in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences who received their degree in June as part of Oregon State University’s 146th annual Commencement Ceremony.
In addition to a record-breaking number of graduates in the college – more than 800 undergraduates and nearly 100 graduate students – these graduating students are the first to earn a degree from the newly accredited College of Public Health and Human Sciences.
Celebratory events included a commencement reception for graduates and their loved ones followed by the hooding ceremony for graduate students.
Commencement speaker Dr. Howard Koh, professor of practice at Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health and former 14th assistant secretary for health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, joined the college for festivities, including a Q&A luncheon with faculty.
During commencement, Dr. Koh received an honorary degree in Public Health and delivered this year’s commencement address to more than 6,000 graduates and nearly 23,000 friends and family members in Reser Stadium.
In his commencement address, he offered three “hopes’” to the Class of 2015:
- “Stand for something bigger than yourself. As the saying goes, ‘If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!’”
- “Every day as you meet people, you will ‘encourage the heart.’ As Maya Angelou once said, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’”
- “Stay flexible. As it says in the good book, “Blessed are the flexible—so that ye shall not be bent out of shape.’”
Watch the video above to hear from CPHHS graduates offering advice to incoming students and reflecting on their favorite memories during their time at Oregon State. Below: view a slideshow from the events.