SGU’s Class of 2024: School of Veterinary Medicine Celebrates New Grads at Commencement
The St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine celebrated its newest grads the in a ceremony filled with jubilation and enthusiasm. The Class of 2024 made the memorable walk across the stage at commencement, which was held on June 2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, NY.
Experience the joy, celebration, and overwhelming pride of new graduates at the 2024 SVM Commencement. View the reel!
SGU Provost Dr. Glen Jacobs began the ceremony with a warm welcome for the graduates and guests in his opening remarks.
He imparted on the graduates the significance of the occasion by saying, “You are not just graduating. You are becoming part of a global family of successful alumni making a difference around the world, and, most important, you are a bridge to our best and the hope for our future.”
SGU Chancellor Dr. Charles Modica then took to the stage to address the graduates. He commended them not only for their dedication to their education and the field of veterinary medicine, but also for being able to endure veterinary school during a global pandemic.
“I recognize what it takes to become a doctor of veterinary medicine,” Dr. Modica said. “I recognize your resilience and your resolve to get where you are today.”
The nearly 200 recent graduates join more than 2,500 School of Veterinary Medicine alumni in the US and around the world.*
Dr. Tara Paterson, president of the SVM Alumni Association and associate dean of fourth year clinical training, said, “Today, I am proud to call each and every one of you my colleague.”
Dr. Paterson continued, more solemnly, to deliver a posthumous Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree to former student Madison Kucinick. Dr. Kucinick was beloved by her peers and dedicated to her work through her award-winning research of sea turtles.
Wrapping up the ceremony was SVM Class of 2024 speaker Briana Kinsey-Trimble, MD ’24. Dr. Kinsey-Trimble of Amarillo, TX was struck with awe and gratitude upon learning that her classmates had voted her to be class speaker.
“I’ve been passionate about my classmates’ well-being through this journey, and it’s exciting to get to address my friends and family one more time,” Dr. Kinsey-Trimble shared with SGU. “We made a promise to each other from the beginning that we would see each other on the other side. It’s finally coming true!”
She is thankful for SGU for helping shape her into the person she has always wanted to be—someone kind, caring, motivated, and ready to change the world.
At the ceremony, Dr. Kinsey-Trimble told her peers, “As we step into the world as veterinarians, let us embrace the challenges that lie ahead with courage and conviction. Let us never lose sight of what an incredible privilege it is to care for animals and the profound impact we can have on their lives.”
Following graduation, Dr. Kinsey-Trimble will start her new role as associate veterinarian at Animal Medical Center of Amarillo.
Dr. Neil Olson, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, had this message for the recent SVM grads: “The SGU SVM community and I are incredibly proud of the newest veterinarians to join the SVM alumni network. Their resilience and dedication have prepared them well for careers delivering quality care and compassion to animals. Congratulations, Class of 2024!”
Did you miss the ceremony? View the SVM Commencement on YouTube.
*Based on number of students who have completed the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program from 2003-2023.
—Juliette Kimmins
