ATSU-CGHS hosts 2020 virtual commencement ceremony
Posted: May 29, 2020
A.T. Still University-College of Graduate Health Studies (ASTU-CGHS) held its commencement on Friday, May 29, 2020 virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The class of 2020 included 322 graduates who earned their master of health administration, master of public health (MPH), master of science in kinesiology, doctor of education in health professions, doctor of health education, doctor of health administration, or doctor of health sciences degrees. Among the graduates, 28 are members of the U.S. military. The MPH program also graduated 15 dual-degree students from ATSU-Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, and three dual-degree students ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health.
Gary M. Wiltz, MD, served as commencement speaker for the ceremony. Dr. Wiltz is chair of ATSU’s Board of Trustees, and CEO of Teche Action Clinic, a network of 13 federally qualified community health centers in southwest Louisiana. Dr. Wiltz received his medical education at Tulane University School of Medicine and became a board-certified internist. Dr. Wiltz joined ATSU’s Board of Trustees in 2013 and was appointed board chair in 2018. Among his many honors, Dr. Wiltz received National Association of Community Health Center’s 2018 John Gilbert Award, which recognizes people who have demonstrated a high level of excellence in the community healthcare field.
Graduates were congratulated by ATSU President Craig Phelps, DO, ’84; Norman Gevitz, PhD, ATSU senior vice president of academic affairs; and Don Altman, DDS, DHSc, EdD, MPH, MBA, MA, ’12, dean of ATSU-CGHS.
“A commencement ceremony is a momentous occasion where your accomplishment of completing a graduate degree is recognized. While this ceremony is virtual, it is no less important or meaningful. You should be very proud of yourself,” said Dr. Altman. “The world is in an interesting place right now, times like these need leaders like you. Take your new knowledge, use it to lead the way and make this world a better place. You can and will make a difference. To the class of 2020, congratulations on your success. You deserve this special day to celebrate all of your hard work.”
The ceremony is available for viewing at atsuvgrads.com/cghs/