What a glorious Commencement weekend we enjoyed this year. From a sunny morning on the University Green celebrating UVM undergraduates, to the hooding ceremony at The Robert E. Miller Expo Centre honoring more than 300 recipients of doctoral and master’s degrees (including 50 from Larner programs), to a joyful Commencement ceremony for our medical graduates in Ira Allen Chapel, we celebrated a remarkable Class of 2026. It was a weekend filled not only with accomplishment, but with great pride, gratitude, and hope for all that lies ahead. I cannot recall a more resounding standing ovation than the one that followed when UVM President Dr. Marlene Tromp conferred the degrees upon the Larner College of Medicine Class of 2026.
As we prepare to welcome the Class of 2030 (as hard as that is to believe), this is also a moment to pause and reflect on the past academic year as we look ahead. Beyond our educational achievements, our health system continues to deliver world-class care to our region, and our research is advancing life-changing therapies and discoveries. We eagerly anticipate news of substantial funding to expand pathbreaking research programs. At the intersection of medical education, clinical care and research, the UVM Cancer Center is in the final stages of preparing its submission for National Cancer Institute designation.
There are exciting times ahead. Following the recent approval of UVM’s Strategic Plan, Green, Gold, and Bold, we are developing the Larner Strategic Alignment Plan. Emerging from the earliest draft, this effort will evolve into our College’s strategic roadmap for the next decade. I hope you will look for opportunities to lend your voice and perspective, whether online or in-person, at town halls and other forums this summer.
Each member of our Larner community—students, staff and faculty—should take pride in all we have accomplished over this past academic year. To sustain our momentum, I hope you will take time this summer to relax, connect with friends and family, and reflect on the many ways you have contributed to education, research, and clinical care. I am grateful for all that you do, and for the care, commitment and sense of purpose you bring to our community every day.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Page, M.D.
Dean
