Loma Linda University to graduate nearly 1,500 students in eight ceremonies

A total of 1,489 students are preparing to graduate from Loma Linda University in eight ceremonies on three upcoming dates. Three of the university’s eight schools will hold services on Sunday, May 27. Students from the remaining five schools will graduate on Sunday, June 10, while the newest member of the university family, San Manuel Gateway College, will host graduation services on Thursday, June 14. 

Here is an overview of 2018 commencement plans for the eight schools and for San Manuel Gateway College:

School of Allied Health Professions

This school graduates the largest number of students of any Loma Linda University school. This year, it will graduate 543 students in two separate commencement ceremonies at Drayson Center on Sunday, June 10 at 8 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. Timothy J. Gillespie, DMin, lead pastor of the Crosswalk Church in Redlands, California, and assistant clinical professor at the School of Public Health, will deliver the commencement addresses on the topic, “The Hope of Beginnings.”

School of Behavioral Health

The school will graduate 115 students this year in a joint ceremony with the School of Religion. The ceremony will be held Sunday, June 10, at 4 p.m. in Drayson Center. The commencement address will be delivered by Daniel R. Jackson, MA, president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, who will speak on the topic of, “Just Do It.”

School of Dentistry

The school will graduate 187 students this year on Sunday, May 27, at 5 p.m. on the campus mall. Kent Hansen, JD, LLD, general counsel for Loma Linda University Health and assistant professor of dental education services at the school, will deliver the commencement address. Hansen will speak on the topic, “Becoming a Beloved Professional.”

School of Medicine

The school will graduate 192 students on Sunday, May 27, at 8:30 a.m. on the campus mall. The commencement address will be delivered by Nephtali R. Gomez, MD, director of undergraduate surgical education and assistant professor of surgery at the school. Gomez will speak on the topic of, “Doctors, Superheroes and the World of Tomorrow.”

School of Nursing

The school will graduate 205 students on Sunday, June 10, at 6 p.m. in Drayson Center. The commencement address will be delivered by Betty Ferrell, PhD, RN, director of nursing research and education and a professor at the City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California. Ferrell will speak on the topic of “The Science, Art and Sacred Practice of Nursing.”

School of Pharmacy

The school will graduate 80 students on Sunday, May 27, at 1:30 p.m. on the campus mall. Joseph L. Kuti, PharmD, associate director of clinical and economic studies at the Center for Anti-Infective Research and Development at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut, will deliver the commencement address. His topic is “Finding Your Balance.”

School of Public Health

The School of Public Health will graduate 120 students on Sunday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m. in Drayson Center. The commencement address will be delivered by Michael Kelly, II, MDiv, lead pastor of Mt. Rubidoux Seventh-day Adventist Church in Riverside, California. Kelly will speak on the topic of “What a Difference a Day Makes.”

School of Religion

The school will graduate five students in a joint ceremony with the School of Behavioral Health. The ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 10, at 4 p.m. in Drayson Center. The commencement address will be delivered by Daniel R. Jackson, MA, president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, who will speak on the topic of, “Just Do It.”

San Manuel Gateway College

San Manuel Gateway College will graduate 42 students on Thursday, June 14, at 6 p.m. on the campus mall of Loma Linda University Health.

Additional information about the 2018 graduation services for Loma Linda University Health is available online here.