Morning Convocation
See the Facebook Gallery From Last Year's Ceremony
Friday, May 18, 2012
The ceremony will take place between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30pm on Friday, May 18, 2012 at the Baltimore Hilton located at 401 West Pratt Street. The ceremony will take place in the Key Ballroom. Students should arrive no later than 9:30a.m. to line up with their class. Students should line up in the hallway between the Hilton and Convention Center (near the Holiday Room). Our procession will start promptly so it is EXTREMELY important for students to be in line and in their appropriate order. Our ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. promptly, with a short lunch reception immediately following the ceremony. Afterward, we will process to the UMB school-wide convocation ceremony at the First Mariner Arena at 2:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Darrell G. Kirch, president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).
Founded in 1876 and based in Washington, D.C., the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is a not-for-profit association representing all 136 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 62 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and 93 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 128,000 faculty members, 75,000 medical students, and 110,000 resident physicians.
A distinguished physician, educator, and medical scientist, and a noted authority on the organization and management of academic medical centers, Dr. Kirch's career spans all aspects of academic medicine and includes leadership positions at two medical schools and teaching hospitals, as well as at the National Institutes of Health.
Before becoming AAMC president, Dr. Kirch was selected as chair-elect of the association, and co-chaired the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. He also has served as chair of the AAMC Council of Deans Administrative Board, and as chair of the American Medical Association Section on Medical Schools.
Dr. Kirch assumed the position of AAMC president in July 2006 following six years as senior vice president for health affairs, dean of the college of medicine, and CEO of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center at The Pennsylvania State University, where he and his leadership team are credited with revitalizing the institution and guiding it through a period of educational innovation and major growth in clinical activity and research funding. Before joining Penn State, Dr. Kirch held a number of leadership positions at the Medical College of Georgia from 1994 to 2000, including serving as dean of the medical school, senior vice president for clinical activities, and dean of the school of graduate studies.
As a psychiatrist and neuroscientist, Dr. Kirch conducted research on the biological basis of and clinical treatments for severe neuropsychiatric disorders. Following the completion of his residency training at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, he joined the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was named acting scientific director in 1993. His NIMH contributions were recognized when he was presented with the Outstanding Service Medal of the United States Public Health Service.
Dr. Kirch is a member of several professional societies, including the American Psychiatric Association, American College of Psychiatrists, and American Medical Association. He was elected to membership in the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2007, and currently serves as a member-at-large of the National Board of Medical Examiners and as chair of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Special Medical Advisory Group.
A native of Denver, Dr. Kirch received both his B.A. and M.D. degrees from the University of Colorado, which in 2002 presented him with its Silver and Gold Alumni Award. He has had an active career as a clinician and researcher, and has held medical faculty positions at Penn State, the Medical College of Georgia, and George Washington University. A prolific writer and public speaker, he has published more than 100 articles and book chapters, and made presentations to numerous medical, educational, scientific, and advocacy organizations.
Parking
Some street and on site parking are available. Parking at the Hilton will be EXTREMELY limited. Self parking is $28 and valet is $30. Please encourage your families to park in campus parking facilities which are within walking distance of the Hilton or for $10 you can utilize Lot C at Camden Yards.
Handicap Accommodations
The Hilton is Wheelchair accessible and handicapped seating will be available. If you need any other accommodations please contact the Office of Student Affairs.
Tickets
Tickets will be available in mid-April for each student. Students will have at least 11 tickets each. If we are able to provide extra tickets we will announce this closer to the event.
Hotel Accommodations
We have blocked a number of rooms at four hotels very close to all commencement activities. The hotels offer discounts when you mention you are attending UMB’s Convocation Ceremony so you will want to book early! Please see the UMB Commencement 2012 website for further details.
Student Regalia
How to Carry Your Hood
Students should place tassels on the right and hoods over your left arm, as shown above. Hoods should be carried like this throughout the ceremony. When you are called to the stage, you will hand your hood to the faculty member doing the hooding for your group, then face away from him/her as your hood is put on.
Ordering Regalia
The graduation fair will take place on Feb. 13th and 14th from 11am to 6pm at the UMB Bookstore. If students are unable to attend the fair students may order the Cap, Gown, Tassel and Hood online. If you ordered your regalia to be delivered to the bookstore, it may be picked up starting May 1, 2012.
Graduation Announcements
You may order personalized announcements from www.herff-jones.com/college.
Student Volunteers
We are accepting student volunteers to assist with handing out programs, lining up students, directing the guests, and taking tickets.
If you would like to volunteer, please email Dawn Roberts at droberts@som.umaryland.edu.
You will be expected to dress in your white coats. Student volunteers will also be able to have lunch.
School of Medicine Faculty
Please visit the Office of Faculty Affairs and Professional Development website to sign up to attend the School of Medicine Convocation Ceremony, order regalia, and get detailed information on your arrival time and where you should report.