The shade structures are installed on the south campus mall—a sure sign that graduation ceremonies for Loma Linda University’s eight schools are here. Close to 1,500 graduates are preparing for their march into history as the class of 2013.
Baccalaureate services will take place during the first and second church services at the LLU Church of Seventh-day Adventists on two Saturdays, May 25 and June 15. Commencement ceremonies will follow on May 26 and June 16.
The first round of commencements, on May 26, will feature the School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, and School of Dentistry, and will take place on the south campus mall facing the Coleman and Chan Shun Pavilions, and between the LLU Church and Prince Hall.
A second round of ceremonies will take place on June 16 in LLU Drayson Center, the campus wellness and recreational facility. The School of Behavioral Health and School of Religion ceremony will be followed by School of Nursing, School of Public Health, and School of Allied Health Professions commencements.
Jeffrey D. Cao, MD, director of the LLU School of Medicine’s pathology teaching program, will lead off the 2013 commencement season, speaking to the School of Medicine class of 2013. Dr. Cao also serves as medical director for the microbiology sections of the laboratories at Loma Linda University Heart & Surgical Hospital, Highland Springs clinics, and LLU Medical Center. He is a favorite teacher for many medical school graduates and received the Walter E. Macpherson Society Teacher of the Year Award, as well as multiple Outstanding Teacher Awards.
Randy Roberts, DMin, MDiv, MA, senior pastor of the LLU Church, will speak to graduates of the School of Pharmacy. Prior to his current post, Dr. Roberts served LLU Medical Center as a chaplain as well as an associate dean and professor in the School of Religion, then pastored the Corona Seventh-day Adventist Church.
George A. Zarb, DDS, MS, emeritus professor with the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ontario, Canada. Recently retired from a 40-year academic career, Dr. Zarb served as professor and head of prosthodontics at the University of Toronto. He currently holds the post of editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Prosthodontics.
Keris Jän Myrick, PhD, MBA, MS, who currently serves as president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) board of directors, will address graduates of the School of Behavioral Health and School of Religion. Dr. Myrick also leads the Project Return Peer Support Network (PRPSN) as executive director. This Los Angeles-based countrywide network organizes peer support groups and services operated by and for mental health clients.
School of Nursing graduates will hear Elizabeth Johnston Taylor, PhD, MSN, associate professor of nursing, during their commencement ceremony. As a published author, researcher, and educator, Dr. Taylor emphasizes the roles of religion, prayer, and spiritual nurture in the recovery process from cancer and other physical and mental health challenges.
Ian Lapp, PhD, MA, associate dean for strategic educational initiatives and faculty member, School of Public Health, Harvard University, will speak to graduates of the School of Public Health. His initiatives have included “Roadmap to 2013,” an educational strategy and implementation process that, it is believed, will define the future of public health higher education, as well as guide the next century of public health at Harvard School of Public Health.
Richard L. Neil, MD, MPH, will address School of Allied Health Professions graduates during their commencement ceremony. An alumnus and former member of the faculty at Loma Linda University, Dr. Neil has presented seminars to corporate, community, and government organizations in the areas of stress, nutrition, human resources, and health promotion.
