Tuskegee University celebrates 2023 spring commencement

The 58 graduates of Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. (Photo courtesy of TUCVM)

The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) Class of 2023 welcomed 58 new doctors of veterinary medicine into the profession on May 6, 2023 for the spring commencement. The graduation ceremony was followed by the college’s Veterinary Medicine Oath and Hooding Ceremony and was available on the school’s YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person.

In addition, 5 TUCVM graduates received the Master of Science in Veterinary Science degree; 5 graduates received the Master in Public Health (MPH) degree; 1 TUCVM graduate received the PhD in Interdisciplinary Pathobiology (IDPB) degree; and 1 graduate received the PhD in Integrative Biosciences (IBS) degree.

"I am honored to have served as the dean to this Class of 2023 and it is with gladness of heart that I look forward to engaging with my colleagues as they now join me in a most distinguished group of veterinary professionals and veterinary alumni," said Dean Ruby L. Perry, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate-ACVR, in a university release. "The College of Veterinary Medicine family is extremely proud of each graduate and we look forward to hearing about the accomplishments they will make as veterinary professionals, as leaders, as educators, and as researchers. They are well-equipped to make significant contributions and play vital roles in protecting and enhancing human and animal welfare as they embark on their various career paths on a journey of lifelong learning beyond the DVM degree. Congratulations Class of 2023!"¹

Commencement speaker, Jerome Williams, DVM. (Photo courtesy of TUCVM)

For the first time, both the graduate and professional schools’ commencement speaker and the veterinary medicine oath keynote speaker are veterinarians and Tuskegee alumni. Jerome Williams, DVM, ’68 and ’69 alumnus, gave an uplifting Commencement Address. Allen Cannedy, DVM, ’91 alumnus, gave the Veterinary Medicine Oath Charge to the newly named doctors of veterinary medicine.

Williams said to the graduates “As you prepare to enter the workforce, you will have great accomplishments and successes and on the other side of it you will be faced with challenges and disappointments. However, when those challenges and disappointments come, it can become daunting but the good, the bad and the ugly are all essential parts of any successful career. Challenges can be opportunities for growth and learning, So be determined and committed to persevering through any hard moment because there is sunshine after weathering an unrelenting storm.”¹

Oath speaker, Allen Cannedy, DVM. (Photo courtesy of TUCVM)

Cannedy said to the graduates, “Your journey will have many opportunities and your options are only limited by your imagination. If you got interests in a particular area then pursue them and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it!”¹

According to the release, TUCVM’s Class of 2023 represents the college’s 74th class to receive DVM degrees from Tuskegee University and the university has now awarded a total of 3,021 veterinary medicine degrees.

Reference

58 Doctors of Veterinary Medicine recognized during Tuskegee University 2023 spring commencement, oath ceremony and distinguished alums honored. News release. Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. Published May 31, 2023. Accessed June 2, 2023.