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The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Graduates 155

Health Care Professionals

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Memphis, Tenn. (November 17, 2008) – On Friday, December 5, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will graduate 155 health care professionals.  The fall graduation ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in the Cook Convention Center, 255 North Main.

William R. Frey, PhD, dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences at UTHSC, will serve as commencement speaker.  Well-known for his thoughtful eloquence Dean Frey’s charge to the graduates is certain to be memorable and poignant since he is retiring in December.  Dr. Frey has served as dean of the college since January and was previously interim dean for more than two and a half years.

Dean Frey moved to the Mid-South and joined UTHSC in 2003.  He will retire with some 35 years of teaching and administrative experience at educational institutions across the country.  Originally from Springfield, Tenn., Dean Frey is in the midst of his two-year term as president of the Alpha Eta Society, the largest scholastic honor for allied health professionals.  The society has 62 chapters and more than 12,600 members throughout the United States.

“During Bill’s tenure, each of the six programs within the College of Allied Health Sciences has flourished,” observed Hershel P. Wall, MD, chancellor at UTHSC.  “He has assembled a team of dynamic faculty members who have created an exciting and supportive interdisciplinary learning culture that permeates the college.  Bill leaves his college well positioned for continued success and we wish him the very best in his retirement,” he added. 

  

Chancellor Wall will preside over the graduation ceremony.  University of Tennessee President John Petersen will confer the degrees.

The 155 graduates represent five of the UT Health Science Center’s six colleges: 22 from the College of Allied Health Sciences; three from the College of Dentistry; 32 from the College of Graduate Health Sciences; two from the College of Medicine; and 96 from the College of Nursing.  Traditionally, the UTHSC Colleges of Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy graduate large classes in the spring.

As the flagship statewide academic health system, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is focused on a four-tier mission of education, research, clinical care and public service, all in support of a single goal: to improve the health of Tennesseans.  Offering a broad range of postgraduate training opportunities, the main campus is located in Memphis and includes six colleges: Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  UTHSC has additional College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy campuses in Knoxville, and a College of Medicine campus in Chattanooga.  For more information, visit www.uthsc.edu.

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