June 18, 2020

Commencement 2020 was truly unique due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of gathering in the Daskalakis Athletic Center on campus, the Dornsife School of Public Health community came together virtually to celebrate the hard work, achievements, and tenacity of the Class of 2020 on June 11, 2020.

Students were creative with their at-home celebrations, from taking photos with regalia and protective masks in their backyards to using Photoshop to create a photo of what they hoped graduation would look like.

Dornsife unveiled a recognition web page featuring videos from the school’s administration and faculty, from graduates and an alum, as well as from local and national public health luminaries congratulating their achievements. The page also includes a downloadable Commencement Program and a Universal Declaration of Human Rights for graduates to download as well.

“It’s an unprecedented time to be graduating with a public health degree. We have seen the COVID-19 pandemic sweep through our society, with all that that has meant. We have seen a social movement against racism and recognition more than ever before of the fundamental role that racism and structural inequities play in health. All the issues that we study in public health, that we learn how to act on, that we advocate for, are front-and-center of today’s world. So, it’s really an incredible time to be graduating with a public health degree.” — Ana Diez Roux, MD, PhD, dean of the Dornsife School of Public Health, said in addressing the school’s Class of 2020.

Once it is safe to celebrate in-person, celebrations will be very special. Congratulations, Class of 2020!