It was a time of celebration as 233 graduates received diplomas at the 33rd commencement for the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. The event, held on May 13 in the John W. Pope, Jr. Convocation Center, marked the passage of these students to the next chapter in their lives.
The event was broadcast via livestream for loved ones who could not attend and the recording can be watched using the same link.
“I am very happy that each one of you is here with us today, and particularly happy to see the smiling faces of the graduates,” said CPHS Dean, Michael L. Adams (’96 PharmD, PhD), who welcomed everyone to the ceremony. “Each one of you as our graduates have a rewarding career ahead of you where you will use your exemplary academic and professional skills to lead purposeful lives of meaningful service through leadership in the various healthcare systems you are beginning to enter into.”
Dr. Carrie Brown, chief medical officer for Behavioral Health and Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, delivered the graduation address, “I wanted a message that would hold some meaning not only for today, but also for years to come. So, I decided to look at Campbell University’s motto ‘Ad Astra per Aspera,’ or ‘to the stars through difficulties.’ I cannot think of a more apt message for this moment in time for those entering the honorable and rewarding, but also challenging and, to be fair, sometimes downright grueling world of health care and health sciences.
“May you hold this not only as a motto for yourself, but also as a call to action to help all people reach the stars through difficulty no matter how dark the night. Not just as individuals, but as communities and global populations. I have no doubt this extraordinary Campbell class of 2022 will help us all reach the stars.”
After the address, University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Mark L. Hammond, presented the candidates for graduation to University President Dr. J. Bradley Creed, who conferred the degrees upon the students with “all rights, privileges and responsibilities pertaining thereto.”
Dr. Adams’ concluded, “I want to thank each one of you for celebrating the amazing accomplishments of all of our graduates and our brand new alumni.”