France A. Córdova, Ph.D., to Give Keynote Address at Mayo Clinic Commencement

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

ROCHESTER, Minn. — More than 100 physicians and scientists will receive degrees from Mayo Clinic during a joint commencement ceremony for the graduation classes from Mayo Graduate School and Mayo Medical School on Saturday, May 21, at Presentation Hall, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive SE. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m.

France A. Córdova, Ph.D., the 11th president of Purdue University and the first woman to head that institution, will deliver the commencement address. Dr. Córdova previously held leadership posts at the University of California at Riverside and Santa Barbara where she distinguished herself as a national leader in post-secondary education. She is a member of Mayo Clinic's Board of Trustees. Dr. Córdova is internationally recognized for her contributions to experimental astrophysics, multispectral research on X-ray and gamma ray sources and spaceborne instrumentation. Dr. Córdova is widely published in her field, with over 150 peer-reviewed articles. She has also contributed her voice to public policy concerns in the areas of research and education. Dr. Córdova has served on the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents, the National Science Board, the Fundamental Science Committee of the National Science and Technology Council and the President's National Medal of Science Committee. She has also been heavily involved with the National Science Foundation, the National Research Council, the National Academy of Sciences and other nonprofit agencies devoted to the promotion of science.

Mayo Graduate School will confer 28 master's degrees and 37 doctorate degrees in biomedical sciences. This year's Ph.D. and master's graduates came to Mayo from 17 states and 16 countries. Most will pursue advanced research training programs and careers in biomedical research at Mayo or other biomedical research institutions throughout the world. "The rigor of our programs and the quality of researchers who study at Mayo Clinic contribute significantly to advancing medical research," says Diane Jelinek, Ph.D., dean of Mayo Graduate School and the Gene and Mary Lou Kurtz Professor of Multiple Myeloma Research. "I am thrilled about the close involvement and collaboration of our graduate students in achieving major research discoveries at Mayo Clinic."

Mayo Medical School will confer 47 M.D. degrees on students this year, 21 of whom will complete all or part of their residency training in Minnesota. "Preparing to become a doctor today to work in tomorrow's yet-to-be-defined health care environment requires significant commitment, bravery, compassion, energy and ability," says Keith Lindor, M.D., dean of Mayo Medical School and the Carol M. Gatton Professor of Digestive Diseases Research in Honor of Peter Carryer, M.D. "We are so proud of our graduating students — they bring such skill and passion to their future roles in serving patients and advancing medicine."

In all, 113 physicians and scientists will receive degrees.

Mayo Clinic educates medical professionals through five schools: Mayo Medical School, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo School of Health Sciences, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education and Mayo School of Continuous Professional Development. Mayo Medical School was established in 1972 and accepts 50 new students annually. The school has more than 200 students. Mayo Graduate School was established in 1989 and grants Ph.D., M.D.-Ph.D., and master's degrees in 11 focus areas of biomedical research. The school has over 250 students.

Several graduates will be available for media interviews after the ceremony.

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