Fall Commencement 2015

The University held its fall commencement on Tuesday, October 6. The weather was picture perfect as the graduates and faculty processed from the Salus campus across the street to Congregation Keneseth Israel in Elkins Park, where family and friends waited. President Michael H. Mittelman welcomed the graduates and their guests and unfurled what has fast become a familiar sight: the fox flag. He explained that this US Navy signal flag – the letter “f” as in fox - is flown on US aircraft carriers to indicate that aircraft are launching. Dr. Mittelman, who retired as a Rear Admiral after 33 years of service in the US Navy, utilized the flag in his first commencement speech as Salus president. He explained to the audience that a larger version of the fox flag flies each commencement day on the main campus to indicate that the University was “launching” new healthcare professionals that day and a new tradition was born.        

Keynote speaker at the commencement was Thomas E. Beeman, PhD, FASCHE, Rear Admiral, USNR, chief operating officer for University of Pennsylvania Health Systems Regional Operations. Dr. Beeman spoke to the graduates about the importance of good patient care, using his own experience after hearing, “If you can still walk, nothing’s broken,” as an example of what not to do. He also advised the graduates to remember the importance of continuous learning during their careers saying, “Celebrate tonight – but study tomorrow!” 

The University bestowed the following degrees on the 56 graduates: Doctor of Audiology (AuD), Master of Medical Science (MMS) in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Education (MEd) in Blindness and Low Vision Studies.