2021 Commencement

Emma Meore address her peers at the podium during graduation.

Emma Meore, master of science graduate in exercise science/athletic training, welcomes her peers to commencement.

Guest speaker Dr. Thomas Russo stands at the podium addressing the crowd during commencement.

Guest speaker Dr. Thomas Russo advised new grads to learn the lessons of the current pandemic.

2021 Commencement on a Sunny Afternoon

UB resumed in-person commencement this year, with the School of Public Health and Health Professions gathering on a sunshine filled May 15. Some 250 students, doctoral, master’s level and bachelor’s level, gathered under a massive tent on North Campus to receive their diplomas, hear words of encouragement from speakers Dr. Thomas Russo, professor and chief, Infectious Disease/Department of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, and SUNY Distinguished Professor Gary Giovino, PhD ‘87, and pose for post-conferral photos with a professional photographer.

All told, SPHHP awarded—in person and virtually--56 doctoral degrees, 168 master’s degrees and 213 undergraduate degrees at the ceremony. While state mandates for masking and distancing meant a different kind of celebration, new graduates and their guests filled the atmosphere with excitement, happiness and satisfaction with a job well done.

Crowd of graduating students sitting in the audience at commencement.