This week marked the spring term's Campus Celebration of Doctoral Graduates Luncheon. Designed to recognize doctoral graduates across all disciplines, the event also includes advisors, mentors, families, and guests. This spring, over 70 doctoral conferees attended, along with ten deans, and associate deans representing many of the colleges, and schools across the graduate campus.
“This event, now in its fourth year, celebrates students who have earned the highest degree we offer and on which our reputation as a research university is based: the doctorate. Completion of a research doctorate is a major accomplishment, the culmination of years in classrooms, laboratories, libraries, and computer facilities, demonstrating the ability to do original research and scholarship and to create new knowledge. We also celebrate the faculty mentors and advisors and family members and partners who supported and contributed to the success of the graduates," remarked Dr. Steve Fetter, Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School.
Introduced by Dean Fetter, keynote speaker Dr. Rush Holt spoke about the merits of evidence. Holt is the chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific society and publisher of the journal Science. Before becoming CEO of AAAS in 2015, Holt represented New Jersey’s 12th congressional district for 8 terms (16 years). During most of that time, he was one of two physicists in Congress, and one of only 5 to 12 PhDs in the House of Representatives—and one of only 21 members in history with a research doctorate. He served on the Education, and Natural Resources committees, and was known for his support of environmental protection, clean energy, and education initiatives.
"The doctoral luncheon was the perfect culmination to the Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, College Park. It reinforced our duty, and purpose as experts in our respective fields to do work that has an impact on our society, and assist all people in practicing empirical rationale. The luncheon also provided the opportunity to connect with the Graduate School, our peers, and our faculty mentors for one of only a few last times before we begin our own journeys of impact," observed one of the newly minted doctoral degree recipients.
