Pacific University Health Professions Students Earn Degrees, Launch Careers

Students, family and friends filled the East Lawn of Pacific University’s Forest Grove Campus on Saturday, Aug. 13, as more than 300 Boxers took their next steps in careers in the health professions.

The university celebrated its annual August Commencement, recognizing the accomplishments of graduation degree candidates from the College of Health Professions schools of Audiology, Dental Hygiene Studies, Graduate Psychology, Healthcare Administration & Leadership, Occupational Therapy, and Physician Assistant Studies, as well as in the university’s cross-curricular PhD in Education & Leadership Program.

Pacific University President Jennifer Coyle, the first alumna to lead the university, welcomed her new fellow alumni to their role as colleagues and peers. 

“I remember graduation day, both as a student and a parent,” she said. “My own Pacific experience quite literally changed the course of my life. You, too, will find that your degree, all that you’ve learned along the way, and the relationships you have developed here will change the trajectory of your life. They will open the door to new opportunities, new ideas, and new dreams.”

She continued: “You will also find that you have new opportunities to make a mark on this world. As humans, we all have moments when we are called to serve, help and care for other people. As professionals in healthcare and in education, this will be your vocation. 

“Our mission at Pacific is to inspire students who think, care, create, and pursue justice in the world. I hope, as you go forth, you embrace every opportunity to live out this mission in your own lives, and it also becomes your avocation.”

Pacific University serves nearly 4,000 students in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs the arts and sciences, business, education, health professions, and optometry. 

Later in the weekend, Pacific celebrated another commencement ceremony, recognizing the members of the classes of 2020 and 2021 who were unable to have traditional ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Graduate portraits will be available at pacificu.edu/AugustGrad later this month.