Gardner Urges Graduates to Embody UAMS’ Mission in Their Careers
| For the 97 students in the College of Health Professions receiving their master’s and doctoral degrees, the May 17 hooding ceremony represented a long-awaited end of their studies and the beginning of their clinical careers.
Brittney Mary Meays urges her fellow graduates to be society’s helpers. Meays graduated from the Genetic Counseling program.
As family, friends and mentors looked on, each student walked across the stage and received their academic hood from two faculty members in the student’s area of study.
Brittney Mary Meays, who graduated with a Master of Science in Genetic Counseling, told her fellow graduates it was “a pleasure to share the intensity of the emotions filling this room as we close one chapter of our lives,” reminding them “as one chapter ends, the next one will quickly begin.”
“We have found our calling as health professionals. We all have different passions that have led us to where we are today,” she said. “However, what binds us together is we are a room full of helpers. We made it this far from not only our intelligence and hard work, but from our compassionate spirits as well.”
Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, served as the keynote speaker at her daughter’s hooding ceremony. Erica Suzanne Gardner (right) graduated with a Doctor of Audiology.
Stephanie Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D., senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost, applauded the graduates for their hard work and dedication and urged them to remember UAMS’ mission as they move forward in their careers.
“The UAMS mission is to improve health and health care in Arkansas and beyond. The skills and knowledge gained during your time at UAMS were learned in fulfillment of the educational part of our mission,” Gardner said. “Now it is your turn to go out and embody the part of our mission related to health care and health improvement.”
Susan Long, Ed.D., dean of the College of Health Professions said she and other members of the faculty, staff and administration “have been privileged to have been part of your lives for the past several years.”
For the graduates, the day was a momentous one.
Danny McNeely (center) earned a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. McNeely said the support of his family and friends was essential to his success at UAMS.
“It feels great to be at this moment,” said Danny McNeely, who earned a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. “It has been a lot of work for all of us, and because of the support of our families, friends and classmates, we finally made it.”
Kayla Copeland, who earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy, said she got a little teary-eyed when she saw her name, Dr. Kayla Copeland, on a sign in the hallway.
“Now is really where it is sinking in that this is happening,” she said. “There has been stress right up until today, and now it is just like a huge weight has been lifted off.”
For Sharvari Bharambe, her academic journey coincided with a physical journey. She moved to Arkansas from India two years ago when she started the Communication and Sciences Disorders program. Her mother was able to fly from Mumbai for all of the commencement activities.
“This is a very important milestone, and her being here makes it really special, she said. “I’m glad she came.”
Sharvari Bharambe (right) said she was glad her mother was able to fly to Little Rock from India to be present for all the commencement activities. Bharambe earned a Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Students in the Physician Assistant Studies program participated in the hooding ceremony and other commencement activities, but they won’t complete their studies until August. That didn’t stop them from celebrating.
Kerry Mackey, who is from the Bahamas, was one such student.
“The feeling is surreal. It is a big day, a big moment for me,” he said. “I’m the first graduate from my family, so this means a lot to me. It is important. My family is from overseas, so I didn’t really have much family support here, but I know that they’re wishing the best for me and I’m aiming to please them.
For Rickey Lawson, enjoying the commencement activities while knowing that there is more school left is a balancing act.
It’s still exciting to be here and be a part of everything, but at the same time, we still have a little bit more to go,” he said. “We’ve just gotta push through that last little bit.”