Graduate School Confers 56 Degrees at Commencement Ceremony
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Graduate School honored its Class of 2026 at a commencement and reception May 14.
Held in the Fred W. Smith Auditorium on the 12th floor of the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, faculty, family, and friends applauded as students received doctoral degrees, Master of Science degrees, and graduate certificates in various biomedical science disciplines.
Graduate School Dean Sean Taverna, Ph.D., officiated the ceremony.
UAMS Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., addresses the gathering.Image by Bryan Clifton
“We celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. These graduates have chosen impactful and meaningful career paths in diverse health-related disciplines,” Taverna said. “There are representatives from each of our UAMS colleges, and together their studies have helped improve our understanding of biology and human health. They have developed into respected researchers and are well on their way to becoming leaders in a variety of fields.”
“Our Graduate School students are the heartbeat of UAMS, and the faculty and I are very proud of you and your accomplishments,” he added.
Taverna introduced UAMS Chancellor C. Lowry Barnes, M.D. The Graduate School event opened Barnes’ first commencement season as chancellor.
“Today is a celebration of scholarship, perseverance, and discovery. On behalf of the entire University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, it is my privilege to recognize your extraordinary achievement,” Barnes said.
“Earning a graduate degree is no small accomplishment. It represents years of disciplined inquiry, long hours in laboratories and libraries, rigorous analysis, failed experiments, revised hypotheses, and relentless curiosity,” he continued. “It requires resilience and the ability to ask hard questions and persist until you find meaningful answers. You have done that work.”
Angela Odle, Ph.D., was selected as Graduate School Faculty of the Year.Image by Bryan Clifton
Angela Odle, Ph.D., assistant professor in the College of Medicine Department of Neuroscience, was nominated by Graduate School students as Faculty of the Year.
“I’m touched by this award. As a basic science researcher, I have the privilege of mentoring and interacting with Graduate School students daily,” said Odle. “I pursued this career path because I love science, but I’ve stayed in academia because of the students. You are easily the best part of this job. I’m proud of you all, and I’m honored to be part of your commencement.”
Ravi Sun, an M.D./Ph.D. program student graduating with a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences, gave remarks as the student speaker.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to stand before this graduating class. What I’ve experienced in the Graduate School gives me genuine hope for the future,” Sun said. “Science has always been a team sport — it only works when people with different areas of expertise are willing to come and work together towards the same goal.”
“Every time I presented my work, I was pushed by my peers and mentors to ask the right questions and consider different approaches,” he added. “Not only did they make me a better scientist, but they also made me a better person.”
Graduate Ravi Sun gave remarks as the student speaker.Image by Bryan Clifton
The Graduate School Staff of the Year award was presented to John Greenway, an education coordinator in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program.
“In my service to UAMS, one of the greatest privileges of my position is watching all of you as your growth unfolded,” Greenway said.
Barnes and Taverna presided over the conferring of the degrees. Latrina Prince, Ed.D., Graduate School associate dean for academic affairs, announced each student as they proceeded to the stage.
“I offer you my sincere congratulations — let’s go,” said Barnes.
For graduates, this represents the next step in their career journey.
“I feel great about graduating, and I’m happy to be moving on,” said Steven Murdock, who graduated with a doctorate in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences. “I’ve accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic. The lessons I’ve learned and the relationships I’ve developed at UAMS have been unmatched.”
Kathleen Pierce, who earned a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences, is also making a big move.
“I’m very excited to graduate,” she said. “I will be starting a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health.”
