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Biddeford, Maine

SWAG视频 celebrates 2021 graduates with six weekend ceremonies

A student turns her tassel as she graduates from the Westbrook College of Health Professions
SWAG视频 awarded more than 1,600 degrees and certificates over the weekend of May 15-16, 2021.

The SWAG视频 celebrated its 186th Commencement over the span of six ceremonies between May 15 and 16, including three in-person ceremonies at the Harold Alfond Forum on the University鈥檚 Biddeford Campus Saturday and three virtual ceremonies Sunday.

More than 1,600 students received degrees in , dental medicine, pharmacy, health sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, human services, education, and management during the two-day exercises.

SWAG视频 President James D. Herbert, Ph.D., welcomed graduates and commended them on their hard-earned work over the past four years.

鈥淵ou are among the most intelligent, talented, and committed groups of students that I鈥檝e had the pleasure of getting to know. You will always be a very special class to me, because for many of you, our journeys at SWAG视频 began together. I began my presidency exactly four years ago, just before you began your first year,鈥 Herbert said. 鈥淵ou leave SWAG视频 a better place than when you arrived, and I'm grateful to walk together with you on our shared journey.鈥

Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D., director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a trusted voice in Maine鈥檚 coronavirus pandemic response, served as the 2021 Commencement speaker via video remarks. He urged the graduates to keep three things in their minds as they take their next steps.

鈥淜eep in mind the value of communication about science as well the science itself; keep in mind how important it is for teams to swim together toward a goal, rather than just staying in their lanes; and keep in mind how important it is for all of us who work in teams to keep a space where we can disagree in a healthy, respectful manner to get to better decisions,鈥 he said.

Shah has been a tireless leader and a fearless advocate for science throughout the novel coronavirus pandemic. He was appointed as director of the Maine CDC in June 2019 and came to the Maine CDC with broad experience in public health, most recently as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, where he implemented key initiatives to address the state's opioid crisis, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and reduce childhood lead poisoning.

Shah also accepted an honorary doctor of science from SWAG视频.

Learn more about SWAG视频鈥檚 2021 Commencement.

Watch Highlights from the 2021 Commencement Ceremonies

Students post for a photo at Commencement
College of Dental Medicine graduate holds diploma
Students attend Commencement on May 15
Students march in to Commencement on May 15

SWAG视频 the SWAG视频

The SWAG视频 is Maine鈥檚 largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state鈥檚 top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine鈥檚 only medical college, Maine鈥檚 only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.