Commencement
School of Public Health Commencement
Registration is now open. Click the links below to learn more about graduation requirements.
Save-the-Date for 2024 Commencement!
Monday, May 13, 2024
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Northrop Auditorium
Keynote Speaker
Damōn Chaplin
Damōn Chaplin currently serves as the Commissioner of the Minneapolis Health Department, where he oversees a multi-discipline staff managing multiple public health divisions responsible for enforcing federal, state, and local ordinances and codes. The department serves approximately 425,000 residents living in private and public housing units, as well as those patronizing local businesses and restaurants.
With more than 25 years of experience in public health, Commissioner Chaplin previously served as Health Director for the City of New Bedford, Massachusetts. During his tenure, he played several key roles in advancing the city’s public health initiative:
- Co-chaired the Greater New Bedford Opioid Task Force.
- One of 10 Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) designees to serve on the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund (ORRF) Advisory Council to the Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services.
- Joined the Massachusetts Health Equity Compact (HEC), which brought together over 30 Black and Latinx leaders to advocate for health equity and healthcare reform.
- Spearheaded the program operations for the Massachusetts Large Cities Health Coalition, consisting of the state’s 14 largest cities (populations of 70,000 or greater).
The Commissioner also serves as an Executive Committee member for the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and was recently nominated by his peers to serve as Vice President.
He holds a master’s in business administration (MBA) from Curry College in Milton Massachusetts and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Central State University (CSU) in Wilberforce Ohio. He’s also a former collegiate athlete who enjoys walking, weightlifting, and dancing. He’s the proud father of four beautiful children in the Greater Boston Region.
Commissioner Chaplin is passionate about public health, seeking leadership opportunities to share his public health story and connect people to resources and opportunities, ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to their full measure of life.
Student Speaker
Emily Merkel
Emily was first introduced to public health at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned a BS in global health and a certificate in environmental studies. Since then, Emily’s professional interests and experiences in public health have primarily been working with older adults and their caregivers.
She has held various research assistant positions at the School of Public Health, notably in the Mikal Lab and with the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Her active participation in the School of Public Health’s Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation underscores her commitment to this area, evident through her roles as a student member on the Community Advisory Board and Chair of the Gerontological Society of America Student Chapter. For this work, Emily was a 2022 recipient of the Shelley Joseph-Kordell Memorial Scholarship and Robert L. Kane Chair in Long-Term Care and Aging Internship.
In addition to her work in the field of aging, Emily had an internship through the Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility on Mfangano Island, Kenya where she was able to explore her interests in international development and global health. In doing public health work, Emily is passionate about engaging and working with communities to build lasting meaningful relationships.
Following graduation, Emily will serve in the Peace Corps as a Community Health Outreach Volunteer for two years in Western Kenya.
Other Ways to Celebrate
Lavender Celebration
The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life is hosting their annual Lavender Celebration on April 23, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Coffman Memorial Union to recognize graduates who hold marginalized genders and sexualities. Family, friends, and loved ones are welcome to attend to celebrate the graduates.
Achieve & Uplift: Graduation and Achievement Celebration
Join us for Achieve & Uplift: Graduation and Achievement Celebration on April 30, 2024 at 5:00 – 6:45 p.m. at the Great Hall, Coffman Memorial Union. This is a family-friendly, cultural celebration celebrating both graduating and continuing scholars with beautiful cultural performers and food from BIPOC-owned restaurants.
MCAE’s Celebration of Achievement
U of M’s Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence (MCAE) is accepting RSVPs for graduating students of color, first generation, and native and indigenous students interested in receiving an MCAE stole at Celebration of Achievement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on your official transcript from the University. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates this accomplishment. Commencement is not required for graduation and participating in the event does not imply that you have officially graduated.
Learn more about graduation requirements.
How do I order my cap and gown?
Commencement regalia for master’s or doctoral students can be purchased through the University of Minnesota Bookstores either in-person or online.
Hood and tassel colors:
- MPH and MHA students should order a salmon (pink) hood.
- MS students should order a yellow hood.
- PhD students should order a dark blue hood.
- MS, MHA, and PhD students should order a black tassel.
- MPH students should order a salmon (pink) tassel.
- Stoles are optional additions to graduation regalia used to symbolize achievement, school pride, membership, greek affiliations, clubs, military service, and more.
Cords:
- Cords are optional additions to graduation regalia typically awarded to members of honor societies or for various academic and non-academic achievements.
Do I need to purchase tickets for my family to attend the commencement ceremony?
No. This event is free and open to the public. Guest seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
If my family cannot attend the ceremony, can they watch it online afterwards?
Yes, the ceremony will be livestreamed online and recorded.
The recording will be posted to the SPH Commencement webpage shortly after the event takes place.
Will there be additional receptions for graduates in my academic program?
SPH programs have the options for hosting their own receptions. Information will be made available as those plans are confirmed.
