Cummings School Celebrates its 44th Commencement
On one of the warmest and sunniest afternoons so far this spring, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University held its 44th Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 17, at the Grafton campus. Graduation weekend officially kicked off Friday evening at the annual Dean’s Dinner, where Dean Alastair Cribb honored students and faculty for their outstanding achievements this year.
Twenty students earned a Master of Science in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP), 18 received a Master of Science in Conservation Medicine (MCM), and one student was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy. Ninety-eight students earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), two received dual D.V.M./Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degrees, and three students were awarded dual D.V.M./Master of Science in Laboratory Medicine (MS-LAM) degrees.
Dean Cribb opened the ceremony by welcoming graduate and D.V.M. students, the family and friends who have supported them through their journey in veterinary school, and the faculty and staff who have guided them. He next introduced dignitaries and distinguished guests, including Peter Dolan, chair emeritus of Tufts Board of Trustees and father-in-law of one of the graduands, and Dr. Monica Mansfield, past president of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA).
Cummings School recognizes retiring faculty for their exceptional service to the school with the designation of emeritus/a. This year, Dr. Dominique Penninck, professor of large animal clinical sciences, was accorded the title Professor Emerita of Diagnostic Imaging.
“Dr. Penninck’s scholarly contributions have been extensive and impactful,” said Dean Cribb. “She helped establish and advance diagnostic standards in small animal ultrasonography. Her work continues to serve as an important reference for clinicians, educators, and trainees worldwide. Her legacy at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine will endure through the programs she built and the individuals she mentored.”
Dean Cribb also acknowledged three faculty emeriti present at commencement: Drs. Robert Bridges, Susan Cotter, and Flo Tseng.
McKenzie Raquel Langford, VG26 (MCM) delivered the M.S. graduate address, highlighting commonality among all the degrees conferred that day. “One Health is a mindset, it’s a way of paying attention to the world…. That mindset does not belong to one program. It belongs to every person graduating from this veterinary school today….You are the bridge between animals and people, you are the early warning network, and increasingly, you are part of the solution to some of the most complex challenges we face.”
Associate Dean of Graduate Education Marvin Schulte presented the M.S. graduates with their degrees. MAPP graduates were hooded by Dr. Allen Rutberg, associate research professor in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, and MCM graduates were hooded by Dr. Christopher Whittier, V97, associate teaching professor in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health. Schulte also presented the Doctor of Philosophy degree in biomedical sciences to Dr. Evan Griffith, VG26 (Ph.D.), V21, VG21 (M.P.H.), VG17 (MCM), who received his hood from Dr. Hellen Amuguni, VG11, professor in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health.
Dr. Megan Mueller, A08, AG10, AG13, associate professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, delivered the graduate M.S. faculty address. She described science as a “team sport,” and told the graduates that their teammates are seated right next to them. She encouraged the graduates to continue to lean on their classmates in the years to come and to seek out new teammates throughout their careers. She closed her speech by saying, “You have chosen an important calling. Promoting the health and well-being of animals, people, and the environments we share has never been more urgent. You are entering this field at a pivotal moment with the tools and talent to shape research, policy, and practice in ways that genuinely matter. We are privileged to have been part of your journey.”
In the D.V.M. class address, Dr. Holden J. Sakala, V26, class vice president, focused on the tight bond among his classmates, “What this cohort means to me is far beyond what written or spoken words can express.”
Drs. Remi Dolan, V26, and Taylor Miller, V26, co-president and treasurer, respectively, of the veterinary class, presented the Class of 2026 gift to Tufts at Tech Veterinary Clinic to fund bereavement support bags, given to children who lost their pets. They explained the class’s choice, “Tufts at Tech has served as a constant reminder of the profound impact we can have as veterinarians, not just through medicine, but through compassion, presence, and the way that they care for people in their most difficult moments. Providing a small gesture of comfort to children in the wake of losing their beloved pet feels like the perfect way to honor those lessons we’ve learned at Tufts at Tech.”
Dr. Melissa Mazan, V93, associate dean of professional education, presented the D.V.M. diplomas. Dual D.V.M./MS-LAM graduates received their diplomas from Dr. Kumari Andarawewa, associate clinical professor in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. Dr. Meera Gatlin, V16, MG16 (M.P.H.), assistant teaching professor in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, presented the dual D.V.M./M.P.H. diplomas. Graduates were ceremoniously hooded by Dr. Elizabeth Rozanski, professor, and Dr. Laurence Sawyer, V99, assistant teaching professor, both in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences.
In the faculty address, Dr. Nicole Freeman, V02, assistant clinical professor of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, asked the students to pause and take it all in.
“This moment that has been so far away for so long is here. So spend a minute, take a breath, look around, let it sit with you. You did it,” said Freeman. As she wrapped up her talk, she advised the graduates, “Over time, I challenge you to redefine your success not by the quantity of your accomplishments, but by the quality of your character…Take the time to know who you are, not only as a veterinarian, but also as a person. What do you stand for?”
Dr. Mansfield then led the V26s in reciting the Veterinarian’s Oath:
Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.
Dean Cribb closed the ceremony by asking the graduates to move their tassels from right to left. He imparted these final words to close the ceremony, “Heal animals. Help people. Change lives. And in the spirit of Tufts, make the world a better place.”
Student Achievement and Faculty Excellence Awards
On Friday evening, May 15, Dean Cribb hosted the annual Dean’s Dinner to honor students and faculty. Thirty-three graduating students received student achievement awards. Four professors were recognized with faculty excellence awards.
Honos Civicus Society and Tufts Presidential Award for Civic Life
Tufts annually recognizes graduating students across schools for their commitment to community service and civic engagement during their time at Tufts by naming them to the Honos Civicus Society. The 2026 Honos Civicus inductees from Cummings School are Dr. Janelle Answer, Dr. Chelsea Berkowitz, Dr. Evan Griffith, Dr. Faith Kipnis, Dr. Taylor Miller, Dr. Taylor Marchand, Dr. Maryann Makosiej, Dr. Marisol Rivera-Ramirez, and Dr. Delia Wolfe. Tufts’ highest honor for civic leadership and service is the Presidential Award for Civic Life. Dr. Evan Griffith was one of the 14 graduating students across the university to receive this distinction.
Commencement 2026
We are thrilled to confer diplomas to our D.V.M., MAPP, MCM, D.V.M/M.P.H., D.V.M./MS-LAM, and Ph.D. graduates! Congratulations! We will always be rooting for you and cannot wait to see all that you achieve!
