Milken Institute School of Public Health
2021 Undergraduate and Graduate Celebrations
Thursday, May 13, 2021
5:00 p.m.
Commencement Ceremony Runtime: 2 hours
Order in which graduate names are read:
Doctor of Philosophy, Doctorate of Public Health, Master of Science, Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Health, Bachelor of Science - Exercise Science, Nutrition Science, Public Health
Or
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Dean Lynn R. Goldman, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Letter from Dean Goldman
To the 2021 Graduates of the Milken Institute School of Public Health,
This past year delivered an unprecedented and swift one two-punch of dual crises; the Covid-19 pandemic and deadly racial violence. In March 2020, we sent students, faculty and staff home. At the time, we thought it might be for a month or two. We could never have envisioned the world-wide health and economic fallout and the way Covid-19 transformed our lives. During the summer, the nation erupted in racial unrest and violence, the legacy of centuries of racism in this country. And during all this, people were losing their lives, health, livelihoods and homes, families were going hungry and the government was in such disarray that, at moments, solutions seemed completely out of reach. We found ourselves living in a masked world of social distancing, isolation and constant fear and worry for the safety of our friends, families and communities. But, although we still have such a long way to go, there is cause for hope. Our public health students are the backbone of that hope. Our students soldiered on despite all these circumstances and with determination and grit, finished their degrees. This is truly cause to celebrate. During the last year our public health community showed that when we stand together – against COVID-19, against racism or against violence – we are strong.
On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at The George Washington University, I congratulate you for choosing to pursue a career in a field where you can make a difference in the health and well-being of people the world over especially underserved populations. Now, more than ever, the world needs your leadership, your wisdom and your expertise.
As graduates of this school you have worked hard to achieve your educational goals. For many of you that meant making many sacrifices, juggling careers and families and foregoing other comforts in order to get your degree. You have showed determination, perseverance and strength, all qualities that will serve you well as you pursue a career in public health.
There are many paths that you will walk after today. Some will tackle enormous challenges of our time, like racism, climate change, or preventing the next pandemic. Some will dedicate your lives to HIV and AIDS research, obesity and other chronic diseases, or clean water and other environmental health initiatives. For others, the call of global health may beckon. Still others may spend the rest of your lives pursuing careers in tobacco control, maternal and child health or health policy issues. Whatever you choose, the key is to never stop forging ahead to make the world a healthier and safer place. After all, we are world citizens, and the health of the planet depends on vigilant and inspired stewardship by each of us.
The friends and colleagues you have made while here will be yours forever. I ask that you keep in touch with our school. Let us know about the exciting things that you are doing and how we can help. Stop by when you are in D.C. when it is safe to do so! Staying connected is so important to building a robust and successful career. I am so very proud of each and every one of you, and I know the field of public health will be forever enriched because you are in it.
We may not know what the future will bring, but as public health professionals we stand together in health and safety always.
All my very best,
Lynn R. Goldman, MD, MS, MPH
Michael and Lori Milken Dean
#12 school of public health
Our Keynote Speaker
Senator Tom Udall
Senator Tom Udall
Senator Tom Udall has earned a reputation as a principled leader who has the integrity to do what is right for New Mexico and our nation. Tom began serving in the Senate in 2009 and was re-elected to the Senate in 2014. He was born in Tucson, Arizona to Stewart and Lee Udall. Tom earned his undergraduate degree at Prescott College and obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Cambridge University in 1975. He received his J.D. from the University of New Mexico in 1977. He lives with his wife, Jill, in Santa Fe. They have one grown daughter, Amanda.
Tom’s service in Congress began in 1998 in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he represented New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District in the House until 2009. Prior to serving in Congress, Tom won two statewide elections to be New Mexico’s Attorney General, regaining the office for Democrats in 1990 and winning reelection in 1994. Before running for elected office, Tom served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in New Mexico, where he was charged with prosecuting federal crimes and serving justice for victims in New Mexico and Indian Country. While in the Senate, Tom served as the vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and a member of the Senate Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Commerce, Science & Transportation and Rules Committees.
Tom led the enactment of the historic, bipartisan Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act to reform the broken Toxic Substances Control Act – the first major environmental legislation passed by Congress in over two decades. Working across the aisle during divided government, Udall’s effort ensured that, for the first time, the EPA would have the legal tools to restrict toxic chemicals in interstate commerce and in everyday items that Americans have in their homes and workplaces.
Tom is one of our nation’s leading environmental and conservation champions. He was the lead author of the groundbreaking 30x30 Resolution to Save Nature, which sets a national goal of protecting 30 percent of lands and waters by the year 2030. He fought for permanent, full funding for the Land and Water Conservation for over 20 years, culminating in its enactment in 2020. And he introduced the landmark Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act, the first comprehensive bill in Congress to tackle the plastic waste crisis, which is a major contributor to climate change. In 2006, he introduced the first bipartisan House climate bill to mandate a reduction in greenhouse gases and introduced the first federal Renewable Electricity Standard in 2007. As the vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Tom has been a strong advocate for protecting and advancing the sovereign rights, prosperity, sacred lands, and cultural heritage of Native communities.
He has successfully fought for increased health care, education, and other funding and protections for Tribes.
In 2020, he led the charge in the Senate to secure $10 billion for Tribes in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, including an $8 billion coronavirus relief fund for Tribal governments to respond to this pandemic.
Senator Udall did not seek another term in the Senate last year, but he is not retiring from public service and intends to continue to fight for the issues he cares about.
2021 GWSPH Graduates
