Graduation Comes To Memorial Auditorium
For the first time in two years, graduates will be able to accept their degrees in person, joining more than 6,000 alumni
For the first time in two years, graduates from Touro University California will be able to accept their degrees in person in front of their friends and families. Graduates from all three colleges and six of the seven major academic programs will gather over a two-day span to celebrate their achievements.
These ceremonies will take place Monday, May 23 and Tuesday May 24 at Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street, Sacramento.
The majority of graduating students finished their training in osteopathic medicine, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, nursing, education, and public health despite having to do so in virtual classrooms for much of that time.
Students from certain programs also completed their educational rotations in person at medical centers, clinics and other healthcare settings in the midst of the pandemic. Others, like those in the education program, continued their jobs as working teachers, adjusting to teaching in a virtual environment while finishing their degrees simultaneously.
This effort under such harrowing conditions earned praise from the university’s leaders.
Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Sarah Sweitzer said of the graduates, “The resilience these graduates have shown in dealing with the rigors of their academic programs while constrained by COVID restrictions is remarkable. It tells me they are fully prepared to excel in their professional lives.”
CEO and Senior Provost Shelley Berkley echoed those thoughts. In her commencement program letter, Berkley wrote, “You have in you experience and knowledge that will serve you well, but more importantly, you have perseverance that will help you overcome obstacles for the remainder of your life.”
Guest speakers will include: Dr. Alan Kadish, President, Touro College and University System, Barbara Ross-Lee, DO, FACOFP President American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) and President (proposed) Maryland College of Osteopathic Medicine (MDCOM) at Morgan State University (College of Osteopathic Medicine), and Lemrey “Al” Carter, MS, PharmD, RPh (College of Pharmacy).
All ceremonies begin promptly at the times stated below. Doors open for guests an hour prior.
- College of Osteopathic Medicine: 11 a.m. Monday, May 23
- College of Education and Health Sciences: 7 p.m., Monday, May 23
- College of Pharmacy: 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 24
These graduates will soon join the more than 6,000 alumni to have earned professional degrees from Touro University California since it opened in 1997.