UMass Chan Medical School’s 53rd Commencement marked the beginning of new journeys for more than 300 UMass Chan students who earned their degrees on May 31. It also marked the end of a remarkable era for the institution as Chancellor Michael F. Collins presided over his last Commencement. The longest-serving chancellor in the UMass system’s history is stepping down from his role as chancellor on June 30 after 19 years.
“The conductor often gets a lot of credit for the brilliance of the symphony,” Chancelor Collins said. “If you don’t have a good violinist, a good pianist, a good viola, a great partner, incredible scientists, outstanding clinicians, wonderful partners and learners willing to entrust their education to our stewardship, the leader matters not. And for all of you, for all of you that we accomplished together over 19 years, I am most grateful.”
In a video shown during the Commencement ceremony, one of the many students Chancellor Collins has mentored during his tenure, Chioma Okwara, MD'17, spoke about how Collins shaped her journey by helping instill in her self-confidence.
“Some of my family members make jokes about it and call him my second father,” Dr. Okwara said. “He has really helped shape the culture of UMass Chan. I think it's a culture that allows people from all backgrounds to thrive and to succeed.”
Terence R. Flotte, MD, the Elisabeth Chair for the Dean of Medicine, executive deputy chancellor, provost and dean of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine, spoke about the growth that UMass Chan has seen because of the chancellor’s vision.
“He’s not only a great leader, I think more importantly, he’s a good human being,” added U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern. “He's left a legacy that he can be proud of. We're all going to benefit from that.”
