Kente Stole Ceremony at UMass Chan Recognises Cultural Heritage and Student Achievement

Deborah Harmon Hines Commencement Event Celebrates Diversity and Academic Excellence

The Deborah Harmon Hines, PhD, Commencement Celebration at UMass Chan Medical School, held on 30 May, highlighted both academic excellence and cultural heritage. During the event, MD/PhD student Zach Dyer presented Kente and multicultural stoles to graduating students, reinforcing a tradition that honours achievement and identity. Established five years ago by Dyer and fellow MD/PhD student Abiola Ogunsola, the ceremony was created to celebrate students’ academic journeys while embracing their cultural backgrounds. The Kente fabric, originating from Ghana, West Africa, symbolises unity, belonging, renewal, and prosperity, making it a powerful representation of heritage and success.

Reflecting on the event, Dyer shared that witnessing graduates succeed alongside their mentors and families inspired him, reinforcing his belief that he, too, could achieve his goals with support. He also mentioned that after graduation, he would begin a family medicine residency at the Institute for Family Health in New York City. Similarly, Marlina Duncan, EdD, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, highlighted the significance of making space for joy, even in challenging times.

Organised by the Diversity and Inclusion Office and the Inclusive Excellence Student Council, the celebration was named in honour of Dr Deborah Harmon Hines, a retired vice provost and professor who founded the Worcester Pipeline Collaborative. This initiative aimed to increase the participation of underrepresented students in biotech, biomedical research, and health professions. Addressing attendees via Zoom, Dr Hines encouraged students to focus on the future and their potential to create a better world.

More than 30 students from the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, and the T.H. Chan School of Medicine were recognised, with representatives from each sharing personal reflections. Medical student Kareem Nunnally-Rivera, who matched into emergency medicine at Boston Medical Centre, recounted his journey to medical school. Having previously worked as an engineer and personal trainer, he noted that a defining moment for him was communicating with a patient in Spanish. Expanding on the theme of resilience, PhD candidate Clevanne Julce, MPH, a first-generation Haitian American, discussed the unique challenges faced by students from marginalised backgrounds, who often carry multiple responsibilities and lack the luxury of making mistakes. She emphasised that her programme, cohort, and institution provided her with the space to struggle, grieve, and rest when needed.

Additionally, Ayeh Tanteh, MSN’24, FNP-C, a Doctor of Nursing Practice student and acute care nurse, spoke about her project, which focuses on teaching nutrition and physical activity to children in Worcester Public Schools. She underscored the responsibility of health care providers to care, protect, uplift, and fight for human dignity and health. Tanteh also reflected on Dr Deborah Harmon Hines’ impact, noting that her legacy exemplifies the importance of turning a belief in justice into action. Through this meaningful tradition, the UMass Chan Medical School community continues to celebrate academic excellence while honouring the rich cultural identities of its students, reinforcing the importance of diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Editor’s Note:

Academic achievement is more than a measure of success; it is a testament to resilience, dedication, and the pursuit of knowledge. The Deborah Harmon Hines, PhD, Commencement Celebration at UMass Chan Medical School exemplifies this by recognising the hard work of graduating students while embracing their cultural identities. Initiatives like this reinforce the importance of representation in education, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds feel valued and acknowledged. However, honouring diversity must go beyond symbolic gestures, it requires continued commitment to inclusivity in academic institutions. Students from marginalised backgrounds often face additional challenges, and providing them with the support they need is essential. 

According to Skoobuzz, by fostering a sense of belonging alongside academic excellence, universities can help shape a future where education is not only a privilege but an accessible and empowering experience for all.