UCSF Ushers in 2012 Commencement Season

UCSF Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann on April 24 marked the start of the 2012 commencement season at UCSF with an address to congratulate the future dentists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and others set to embark on a new chapter in their lives.

"This event allows me to celebrate with the entire campus one of the best things that happens at UCSF, and that is our 2012 commencements for all our students," she said. "So let's just start by celebrating, and a deep and warm congratulations to all the students who are in the audience or listening who are graduating this year."

During her 20-minute speech which was webcast live, Desmond-Hellmann focused on UCSF's commitment to education, one of her top five priorities since becoming chancellor in August 2009.

"Education is critical to UCSF's vision to be the world's preeminent health sciences innovator," she said. "As Chancellor, I continue to strive for excellence in education, and we're working on multiple fronts to make sure we stay at the top in education, and achieve our plans. So I want to make sure that you know the kinds of investments we're making in education to make us even better."

"We're investing in new technology to enhance teaching and learning, that prepares students to meet the challenges of the 21st century. We're expanding opportunities for interprofessional education, for collaboration, and supporting new team based, interdisciplinary learning models. And we're fostering partnerships with industry and with our community to accelerate how we bring our groundbreaking science not only to our local community, but to our nation and the world, through our global health sciences program.

We're also creating a learning environment — and I know important to all the students, faculty, and the staff of UCSF — we want to be the kind of environment that brings out the best in everyone, no matter what your background or where you came from."

Desmond-Hellmann also announced that UCSF is launching a campuswide, four-year, $100 million education fundraising initiative to support students and teaching. It is the first education initiative of its kind at UCSF.

The chancellor emphasized that UCSF is committed to making these kinds of improvements and continuously strives to create the kind of environment where everybody thrives.

"We could not accomplish UCSF's ambitious goals without our students and trainees. You challenge us, you push us, and you inspire us. And I am very confident in the future specifically because of all of you," she told the students gathered in the audience.

UCSF's schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and the Graduate Division will hold separate ceremonies in the coming months ahead. Here is the schedule:

• Friday, May 4: UCSF School of Pharmacy ceremony, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
• Monday, May 14: UCSF School of Medicine ceremony, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
• Friday, May 18: UCSF Graduate Division ceremony, Robertson Auditorium, William J. Rutter Center, UCSF Mission Bay
• Tuesday, June 5: UCSF School of Nursing ceremony, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
• Friday, June 8: UCSF School of Dentistry ceremony, Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall