Tufts to award over 3,000 degrees

    Tufts will award approximately 3,003 degrees today at its 153rd Commencement in a two-phase ceremony.
    Phase I will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the Academic Quad between Ballou Hall and Bendetson Hall. All of the university's schools will participate in this ceremony, which includes the Academic Procession, the awarding of honorary degrees and an address by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.
    The second phase will occur from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will consist of individual department and school ceremonies. Graduates will receive their degrees during this part of Commencement.
    In addition to delivering the all-university Commencement address, Patrick will receive an honorary degree, along with six others.
    Broadcasting executive David Burke (A '57), foreign relations expert Leslie Gelb (J '59), advocate for the homeless Sister Margaret Leonard, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation advisor Patricia Stonesifer, Yale University Professor of Physics and Astronomy C. Megan Urry (J '77) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology cancer researcher Robert Weinberg will receive honorary degrees during the first phase of the ceremony.
    Of the 3,003 degrees awarded at this year's ceremony, 1,305 will go to undergraduates and 1,698 will go to graduate students. These numbers were approximate at press time, however, as final grades, on which graduation hinges, had not yet been compiled.
    At the undergraduate level, the School of Arts and Sciences will give out 941 Bachelor of Arts degrees and 192 Bachelor of Science degrees. The School of Engineering will award 172 Bachelor of Science in Engineering degrees.
    Meanwhile, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will award 479 degrees, including 208 Master of Arts, 100 Master of Science, 90 Master of Arts in Teaching, 21 Master of Fine Arts, 11 Master of Public Policy, 47 Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and two Doctor of Occupational Therapy degrees.
    The Graduate School of Engineering will give out 179 degrees, including 24 Master of Engineering, 96 Master of Science, 37 Master of Science in Engineering Management and 22 Ph.D. degrees.
    The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy will award 372 degrees. These include 251 Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, 16 Master of Laws in International Law, 98 Master of Arts and seven Ph.D. degrees.
    The School of Dental Medicine will award 183 Doctor of Dental Medicine and nine Master of Science degrees.
    The School of Medicine will give out 140 Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), 37 Ph.D., two Master of Science in Basic Sciences and five Master of Science in Clinical Research degrees. It will also give out several joint degrees, including 15 M.D./Master of Business Administration in Health Management, 11 M.D./Master of Public Health, one M.D./Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy and two M.D./Ph.D. degrees.
    The Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences will award 89 degrees. These include 29 Master of Science in Biomedical Science, three Master of Science in Health Communication, eight Master of Science in Pain Research, Education and Policy, 45 Master of Public Health and four joint Master of Science in Biomedical Science/Master of Public Health degrees.
    The Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy will award 15 Ph.D., 35 Master of Science and eight Master of Science and combined dietetic internship degrees. It will also award several joint degrees. Nine will be Master of Science/Master of Public Health degrees and seven will be Master of Arts in Humanitarian Assistance degrees.
    The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine will give out 100 degrees, including 77 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), one Ph.D. and 14 Master of Science in Animals and Public Policy Degrees. Joint degrees awarded will include four DVM/Master of Public Health, one DVM/Master of Science in Comparative Biomedical Sciences and three DVM/Master of Science in Laboratory Animal Medicine degrees.
    In the event of rain, a shortened version of Phase I will take place at the main Commencement site, although it may be cancelled in the case of severe weather. Phase II ceremonies occur both outdoor and indoor; outdoor ceremonies will take place under tents if necessary.