GALVESTON, Texas — When the 2016 School of Medicine graduates at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston receive their degrees, they will also be receiving some advice from a very well-known name in the field of infectious diseases, Dr. Thomas Geisbert.
Geisbert, a professor of microbiology and immunology at UTMB, works in the Galveston National Laboratory developing and testing potential vaccines for Ebola and other emerging health threats. He will address graduating students at this year’s ceremony beginning at 10 a.m., June 4 at the Moody Gardens Convention Center in Galveston.
“Early in my career I heard a speaker say it is always more of an honor when students have selected you, which I certainly believe,” Geisbert said. “My goal is to provide graduates with some guidance they can use as they continue in their careers.”
According to Geisbert, his address will contain lessons he has learned from his career, such as do not be afraid to step out of the mainstream and learning to accept failure along with success.
“We could not be more proud of our graduates as they go on to continue their training at some of the best hospitals in the country,” said Dr. Danny O. Jacobs, executive vice president, provost and dean of the School of Medicine. “We are also pleased that more than half of our 2016 graduates will be staying in Texas.”
Dr. Ben Raimer, senior vice president of Health Policy and Legislative Affairs at UTMB, will carry the ceremonial mace during the commencement ceremonies.
The mace-bearing tradition dates to medieval times, when a mace-bearer would walk ahead to ensure safe passage of the leader of a cathedral, kingdom or university.
The ceremony will also include the announcement of the Gold-Headed Cane Award winner, a member of the graduating class who is selected by his or her peers, as well as the introduction of this year’s Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumni Award winners.