Bloomberg School Celebrates Largest Graduating Class Ever

Five hundred and thirty five students—the most ever to participate in a School of Public Health convocation ceremony since the first one took place on June 24, 1919—gathered this morning to walk across the stage of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, with masters graduates collecting hand-rolled diplomas tied with black and yellow ribbons. 

This graduating class of 2013 also stands out in terms of total degrees earned: 861 is yet another "most-ever," accounting for 146 doctoral degrees, which will be awarded on Thursday, 344 Masters of Public Health degrees, and 371 Masters of Health Science and other masters degrees. Seven students earned both doctoral and masters degrees.

Graduates this year represented 55 countries: everywhere from Afghanistan and Australia to Uganda, the home of convocation speaker Nelson K. Sewankambo, Dean Emeritus of the School of Medicine in Uganda and a pioneer in HIV/AIDS research. He described this oldest (established in 1916) and largest School of Public Health in the world as “an American school, but a global institution.”

“Today, you make that transition to alumni,” Dean Michael J. Klag announced, alluding to a group that has been growing for almost 100 years; one that now numbers about 50,000 strong. “The charge we give you is simple. Protect health. Save lives, millions at a time. The world’s counting on you.”