UMES Grad delivers Founders' Day Address

By Stephen Williams / WESM News

PRINCESS ANNE, MD – As the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) celebrates its 123rd birthday during Founders' Week, the highlight of the weeklong festivities took place on Tuesday morning in the school's Ella Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center. The occasion was the Founders' Day convocation and summer commencement - and featured an address by UMES graduate, Dr. Thomas LaVeist.

Dr. LaVeist graduated from UMES in 1984. Today, he is a William C. and Nancy F. Richardson Professor in Health Policy and the Director of the Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. LaVeist received his undergraduate degree from UMES, his doctorate degree in medical sociology form the University of Michigan and a postdoctoral fellowship in public health at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health.

In addition to his duties as a professor, Dr. LaVeist frequently consults with federal agencies and healthcare organizations concerning minority health, cultural competency issues, and racial disparities in the healthcare system.

During his speech, Dr. LaVeist encouraged UMES students and new doctoral graduates to be more reflective about their lives and the world they live in - and also to thank those people who supported them in attaining their education.

I spoke with Dr. LaVeist after the event, and asked him how it felt to be invited as the keynote speaker to the convocation -- 25 years after graduating from UMES:

LaVeist: It's a huge honor. You know, I'm still speechless by it. It's a huge honor. When they called and asked me to come - you know, I immediately cancelled everything on my schedule so I can be here, because this is such an honor for me to be able to come back and play in that role for my alma mater.

Question: And after 25 years, how has the school changed in your opinion?

LaVeist: I barely recognize the place. There is so much growth here I said in my speech, that this has become really a first-class university - and it really has in many ways. It's a gorgeous campus but the people are the same. And the people are really what really make the institution. So while the buildings, the physical structure, have really improved tremendously, the people haven't changed. So now you've got the combination of great people, as well as great facilities making this a first-class university.

Following Dr. LaVeist's speech, UMES President Thelma B. Thompson conferred 15 Doctoral Degrees in Physical Therapy. The event also featured greetings from various governing bodies and representatives, as well as performances by the UMES Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir.

For more information on the ongoing Founders' Day activities, you can visit http://www.umes.edu

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