Before the 414 graduates crossed the stage in Lisner Auditorium to receive their medals, they heard from speakers who shared how public health, one of the fast-growing fields today, touched their own lives.
Here’s what you should know about the ceremony:
1. Wear a helmet
Student speaker Daniel Black, who graduated with a master’s degree in exercise science, nearly died in a motorcycle accident last October. Black survived because he was wearing a helmet, which was sawed off his head in the hospital, and a riding suit, which he keeps as a “reminder of the power of prevention.”
“There is no doubt that my helmet saved my life by dissipating that force. Yet, how many people today forgo a helmet when skateboarding or riding a bike because it’s not cool?” he said.
Black pressed his classmates to take on challenges, like enforcing laws that mandate people wear helmets, and to maintain healthy lifestyles, which he said helped quicken his recovery.
Black, who worked as a strength and conditioning coach for many of GW’s varsity athletics teams, had an athletics department scholarship named after him this year. His speech earned the ceremony’s only standing ovation.
2. Touched by cancer
Billionaire financier Michael Milken, who donated $50 million to the school, spoke about his prostate cancer diagnosis. His doctors originally told him he had 18 months to live.
But Milken fought the cancer and survived, and his family has since expanded its philanthropy efforts.
His own experience, and losing many family members to cancer as well, encouraged Milken to expand his involvement in public health. His institute has hosted conferences with top academic leaders, including Goldman and University President Steven Knapp.
Milken told graduates to tackle diseases like cancer and HIV/AIDS because, while scientists have made strides in the prevention of those illnesses, they continue to impact millions of lives.
“Whoever saves a life saves the world,” he said.
3. The next CEOs
Milken said students in the audience might not plan to become CEOs, but many likely would rise to the position. He noted General Motors, which named its human resources leader CEO, as an example of how public health graduates can become business leaders.
