Feldstein Hopes Graduates Feel 'Proud, but Humbled'

College president Jay S. Feldstein, DO, quoted Maya Angelou during his commencement address to the Class of 2016. “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” He said he hoped the graduates felt proud, but humbled, felt a sense of gratitude, while possessing a sense of awe “knowing that you will be entrusted to the care of families.” He concluded, “I hope that today you feel joyful and triumphant in your accomplishment.”

Georgia Campus—Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM) held the College’s eighth annual commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 27 in the Tommy P. Hughes Grand Ballroom of the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth.

Nearly 300 students received Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences degrees, Doctor of Pharmacy degrees and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees.

United States Representative Earl L. “Buddy” Carter from Georgia’s District 1 addressed the graduates at the morning ceremony. He urged the students to contemplate the importance, the significance and the responsibility of their accomplishments. “There was a time,” he said, “when I thought the greatest joy was being loved. Now I know the greatest joy is giving love.” The only pharmacist currently in Congress, Carter is serving his first term in the United States House of Representatives.

John R. Potts III, MD, spoke at the afternoon ceremony. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the Southern Surgical Association, the American Surgical Association and the Southeastern Surgical Congress, Dr. Potts is the Senior Vice President for Surgical Accreditation at the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. He reminded the graduates that they’re like “a turtle on the fence post. You didn’t get there by yourself.” He said, “Today your names will change. Your first name will be doctor.”