WesternU Commencement Week

Dear WesternU Community,

As Commencement Week begins, I write to you with immense pride and deep admiration for all we are about to celebrate. This week marks not only the closing of an important chapter but the beginning of a lifelong journey for those who have chosen the noble path of health and healing.

To our graduates: You have chosen careers that demand not only intelligence and skill, but also compassion, integrity, and a profound sense of responsibility. Whether you are entering Osteopathic Medicine, Nursing, public health, Optometry, Pharmacy, Dental Medicine, Podiatric Medicine, Physical Therapy, Veterinary Medicine or another vital area of the health sciences, you are stepping into roles where you will touch lives, ease suffering, and be a source of strength in moments of vulnerability.

The theme of this year’s Commencement is the intersection of “Innovation”, “Humanism”, “Tenacity”, and self-conviction, SKILLS that I know you already possess, and that you will operationalize with self-belief as you forge forward as WesternU graduates.

It reflects the extraordinary balance required in your professions—where science and service walk hand in hand. Over the past few years, you’ve studied in classrooms and clinicals, navigated challenges with grace, and grown into professionals who are ready to lead the future of health care with purpose.

To our faculty and staff: Your mentorship has shaped not just competent clinicians and caregivers, but thoughtful, ethical leaders. You have inspired our students to think critically, act with empathy, and stay grounded in the values that define the health professions. Thank you for your unwavering dedication.

To the families, friends, and loved ones who have supported our graduates: Your sacrifices, encouragement, and belief have helped make this moment possible. This achievement is yours, too.

As we gather to honor the Class of 2025, let us remember that the impact of a health professional often goes beyond what can be measured in charts or degrees. It is found in a calming word, a life changed, a community made healthier and more whole.

Congratulations, graduates. Go forward with confidence. The world needs your knowledge—and even more, your heart.

Warmest Regards,
Robin