Dr. Margaret Hamburg to Speak at Convocation

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Convocation has always been a special time of year for me. I still remember my own ceremony when I graduated from the Bloomberg School, both excited and uncertain about what would happen next. At every ceremony I’ve attended in the many years I’ve been here, I’ve always felt joy at seeing everyone in their robes and tassels and imagining the tremendous good they will bring out into the world.

I’m thrilled that we have reached a point in the pandemic where we can once again be together for this important event. This spring we will hold an in-person convocation—our first since 2019. It will be on Saturday, May 21, at 3:30 p.m. on Homewood Field at the Homewood campus, with a rain date of Sunday, May 22, at 9:30 a.m.

I’m also delighted to announce that Margaret Hamburg, MD, an internationally recognized leader in public health and medicine, will be our featured speaker. Dr. Hamburg is currently chair of the advisory group for NTI | bio, a nonprofit global security organization that works to reduce the nuclear and biological threats that endanger our world. She was also recently named chair of the Commonwealth Fund Commission on a National Public Health System. Previously, she served as foreign secretary of the National Academy of Medicine, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, founding vice president and senior scientist at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, and health commissioner for New York City, among other high-profile positions. When it comes to tackling today’s complex public health challenges—from emergency preparedness to health equity to regulatory science—Dr. Hamburg has exceptional experience and insight. I hope you’re as excited as I am to hear from her.

The virtual convocations of the last two years were unique and special experiences, but I am so glad that we’ll be together in person this May. I look forward to recognizing all you have achieved and celebrating your bright futures.

Warmest wishes,

Ellen J. MacKenzie, PhD ’79, ScM ’75
Dean
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor