Incoming graduate students pursuing doctor of public health, master of public health, master of science or doctoral degrees at Penn State College of Medicine will participate in the Graduate Student Oath Ceremony. The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at the University Conference Center on the Hershey campus.
During the ceremony, first-year graduate students will take an oath to uphold the values of integrity, professionalism and scholarship throughout their academic careers. This year’s keynote address will be given by Charles Lang, interim associate dean for graduate studies.
Symbolic of their initiation into the community of biomedical scientists, first-year doctoral students will receive white lab coats and master's students will receive a gift. An awards ceremony recognizing graduate student achievements and a reception will immediately follow the ceremony.
Prompted by an article in Science magazine, a group of College of Medicine graduate students spent a year developing an oath that reflected Penn State values. This is the eighth year for the Graduate Student Oath Ceremony.