Tufts will award approximately 2,437 degrees at today's Commencement ceremony, which will take place in two phases.
The first phase will begin at 9 a.m. with the Academic Procession and will last until approximately 11 a.m.
During this phase, the main programming will occur on the Academic Quad between Bendetson and Ballou halls. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will deliver the Commencement address and receive an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service. Honorary degrees will also be awarded to composer Dr. Thomas Jefferson Anderson, nanotechnology expert Lord Alec Broers, astronaut Captain Frederick H. Hauk (A '62), contemporary dance specialist Denise Jefferson and Nobel Prize winning economist Thomas Schelling. (For more information on the recipients, see page 11.)
Following a recessional, the graduates will divide for Phase II of the ceremony, which will last from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 3 p.m.
During this phase, each department in the university will give out diplomas to its graduates and engage in special, department-specific programming.
Of the approximately 2,437 degrees that will be awarded, 1,293 will go to graduate students and 1,144 to undergraduates. All numbers are approximate because, as of press time, final grades for students were not yet compiled, so the university could not assure that all those expected to graduate would meet the requirements.
At the undergraduate level, the School of Arts and Sciences will give out 845 Bachelor of Arts and 149 Bachelor of Science degrees, and the School of Engineering will award 150 Bachelor of Science in Engineering degrees.
The rest of the degrees will go to graduate students. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will award 160 Master of Arts and 39 Master of Science degrees, and the Graduate School of Engineering will award 187 Master of Science in Engineering degrees. Combined, these two schools will also give out 30 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.
The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy will award 201 Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, 61 Master of Arts and 12 Ph.D. degrees.
The School of Dental Medicine will give out 161 Doctor of Dental Medicine and nine Master of Science degrees.
The School of Medicine will award 131 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), 43 Master of Public Health, seven Master of Science in Health Communication and four Master of Science in Pain Research, Education and Policy degrees.
It will also award several joint degrees. Thirteen will be M.D./Master of Business in Health Management, 15 will be M.D./Master of Public Health and three will be M.D./Ph.D degrees.
The Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences will award 33 Ph.D. and 15 Master of Science degrees.
The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy will give out 12 Ph.D., 34 Master of Science and seven Master of Science and combined dietetic internship degrees. It will also award eight Master of Science/Master of Public Health, one Master of Science/Master of Arts in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, three Master of Science/Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy and five Master of Arts in Humanitarian Assistance degrees. All of these are joint degrees.
The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine will award 81 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), nine Master of Science in Animals and Public Policy and three Master of Science in Comparative Biomedical Sciences degrees. It too will award joint degrees: four DVM/Master of Public Health and two DVM/Master of Science in Laboratory Animal Medicine degrees.
At press time, the forecast called for a few showers today. If there is inclement weather, Phase I of Commencement may be abbreviated or canceled. Phase II will proceed, but indoors and under outdoor tents if necessary.
