On May 14, 561 College of Education and Health Professions students participated in the 2022 Spring Commencement ceremony at Bud Walton Arena.
Graduate-degree earners were honored at an all-campus ceremony at 8:30 a.m., and the college’s undergraduate commencement was held at 5 p.m. They joined more than 4,400 other graduates to become the newest alumni of the University of Arkansas.
At the beginning of the 5 p.m. ceremony, Dean Brian Primack announced each degree program in the college, including education, exercise science, human resource and workforce development, nursing, public health and recreation and sport management.
“You probably noticed from this list that we have a lot of different areas in our college, but there is a common thread,” he said. “That thread is that we train people in what we call the caring professions. We train the people who get up each day, go out there, and make the world a better place. Now, I don’t want to sugarcoat this. What we all do is hard. It can and will be emotionally draining. But it will be worth it.”
Interim Chancellor, Dr. Charles Robinson
Interim Chancellor Charles Robinson also shared some inspiring words with graduates. As a history professor, he considered sharing a story from the past to encourage students. Instead, his thoughts went to Marvel superheroes.
“If you think about the Marvel Superheroes, each and every one of them has some characteristic that makes them special even before they put on the suit,” Robinson said. “When you came here, each and every one of you had skills and abilities. Each and every one of you worked really hard to achieve what you’re achieving now. Now you’re about to receive your degree. Those degrees will become your superhero suits.”
He told graduates that everyday superheroes perform heroic deeds in their communities. “This society needs you to be superheroes,” he said. “Be superheroes to students from impoverished circumstances who need you to protect them from the scourges of inadequate education. Be superheroes to those patients with medical issues, the faces at the bottom of the well who need you to be a guardian of the galaxy for their health. Be superheroes for people afflicted by a myriad of physical and emotional concerns – those who will need you to be Avengers for their life challenges.
“Suit up, graduates of the College of Education and Health Professions.”
Alumna Jessica Cohen
The COEHP keynote speaker was alumna Jessica Cohen, who’s in her third season with the Portland Trail Blazers, an NBA team. She was named the team’s Head Athletic Trainer in January 2022, making her a true trailblazer—the only current female head athletic trainer in the NBA.
Cohen encouraged students to break free from comparison and the fear of failing.
“Author Brene Brown has a quote that touches on owning who you are, ‘You either walk inside your story and own it, or you can stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness.’ Our time here is limited, don’t waste it in comparison and fear,” Cohen counseled.
She noted that failure leads to growth. And falling can land people outside of their limiting boxes. “And if you get stuck, if you get in a rut, think about helping someone else,” she said. “Help them grow.”
She added, “Everyone sitting here has already committed to working in a field that requires caring for others, helping others. You are all going into caring professions. You are steps ahead of others because you have dedicated the last few years of your life to developing skills that will help others, whether in health or teaching. So, if you find yourself struggling to find your definition of success or your purpose, commit to being great every day at helping those around you, and you will flourish and you will prosper.”
Cohen left graduates with these final words, “Class of 2022, as you leave here today and start the next chapter of your life, always remember these three things: success is how you define it, embrace failure, and always remain as resilient as a Razorback.”
All U of A graduates were recognized through the U of A’s 2022 Commencement website, which features a graduation app, a virtual Senior Walk tour and a social media feed featuring posts from people using the university’s commencement hashtag #UARK22.
Videos of the live-streamed 2022 spring commencement ceremonies are also available on the U of A’s YouTube channel.
Visit the COEHP Facebook page to see more photos.
