Hooding 2000

May 4, 2000

Sanjay Kumar, hooded by his mother and father


The Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine 2000 hooding and commencement was held on Thursday, May 4, 2000 at the MSU Wharton Center for Performing Arts. One hundred seven students received degrees at the ceremony, which was funded in part by the Michigan Osteopathic College Foundation.

Student Awards

The presentation of the Student Awards distinguished graduates who excelled both as students and community leaders. 
· The Richard L. Alper Memorial Award went to Jason R. Beckrow for his exceptional service to the community. The Judith K. Weiswasser Memorial Award was presented to J'Aimee Lippert. The award recognizes the woman graduate deemed outstanding academically, professionally, and personally. Both awards honor MSUCOM students who died in a tragic plane crash in 1975, shortly before their graduation. 
· The Dean's Recognition Award went to Michael L. Baker. The award is presented to the graduate who demonstrates leadership and advocacy for the college and the osteopathic profession, and exemplifies the best professional qualities of an osteopathic physician. 
· The final award given at the ceremony was the Michigan Osteopathic Association Outstanding Senior Award. This award went to Michael B. Boyd. Boyd was recognized as a student in good academic standing who is actively involved in Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA), American Osteopathic Association (AOA), Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), or Student Council, who has made significant extracurricular contributions to the college. 


Rhetta Faye Maribao, hooded by her brother and father

Commencement Address

The commencement address was given by William G. Anderson, D.O. Dr. Anderson is the associate dean of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. A former president of the AOA, a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., and the founder of the Albany Movement, he was greeted with a standing ovation. After commending the faculty and the families of the graduates, he challenged all of those being honored to preserve the osteopathic tradition and to meet the level of expectation of DOs. As DOs, students must treat the practice of medicine as personal, private, sacred, and built on trust. He avowed that those seeking personal gain and forsaking care will be disappointed, and that those who put an emphasis on caring and compassion for their patients will be rewarded. He acknowledged the graduates would inevitably face adversity. Yet, as keepers of the osteopathic tradition, he asserted, they should "never ever quit."

By: Jason Mui