{"id":119233,"date":"2025-02-11T11:12:38","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T17:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/?p=119233"},"modified":"2025-02-19T14:44:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T20:44:28","slug":"former-dean-urges-degree-candidates-to-take-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unmc.edu\/newsroom\/2025\/02\/11\/former-dean-urges-degree-candidates-to-take-flight\/","title":{"rendered":"Former dean urges degree candidates to ‘take flight’"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The keynote speaker for UNMC Graduate Studies\u2019 Fall Honors Convocation Dec. 20 was a familiar face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC Interim Chancellor Dele Davies, MD, served as dean for graduate studies for 12 years before taking on his current role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe know him as a person who will take time for any of us any time,\u201d said Kendra Schmid, PhD, interim dean for graduate studies, who introduced Dr. Davies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And while he has not become a stranger in the meantime, \u201cIt does feel very surreal to be back now,\u201d Dr. Davies said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC Graduate Studies honored 67 candidates who would graduate later that day with graduate certificates, master\u2019s degrees or doctoral degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please see a Flickr photo album of the ceremony <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please find the official program for the ceremony here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ceremony included a celebration of their accomplishments and of course the traditional hooding by mentors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Davies said that in his new role, \u201cI have traveled across the state of Nebraska, and listening to the citizens, rotary clubs, hospital leaders, alumni and former patients, the citizens of Nebraska are very, very proud.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is clear, he said, \u201cthe citizens of Nebraska are also looking to us. Today is an affirmation of that expectation put to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He told the degree candidates, \u201cWe are here to celebrate not just a major milestone in your life, but also a launching point for you to take flight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flight was the theme of the chancellor\u2019s message for the soon-to-be graduates. It takes courage, he said, to take flight, spread wings and soar into the unknown. It is an exciting experience, he said. But it can be daunting, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fly together, he said. Trust your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Dr. Schmid read a list of accolades when introducing him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did not accomplish those things,\u201d Dr. Davies said. \u201cWe did. There are a lot of people that make up that \u2018we.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The assembled degree candidates had come from across the country and all over the world, making up the fastest growing student body at the medical center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work together, Dr. Davies told them. Take care of yourself and do not be afraid to ask for help doing so. Don\u2019t focus on the destination, but the flight. Navigate turbulence and adapt to new currents on the wind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFailure is not your enemy. Success is not your friend. It is when you misunderstand either one of them that you fall behind,\u201d the chancellor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You are exactly where you are meant to be, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTake up your wings,\u201d Dr. Davies said in closing. \u201cTake flight. Don\u2019t worry about where you are going to land. Just go full speed ahead. You are ready.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The keynote speaker for UNMC Graduate Studies\u2019 Fall Honors Convocation Dec. 20 was a familiar face. UNMC Interim Chancellor Dele Davies, MD, served as dean for graduate studies for 12 years before taking on his current role. \u201cWe know him as a person who will take time for any of us any time,\u201d said Kendra 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