Drexel University celebrated its 125th commencement on its University City campus with five separate ceremonies honoring Drexel’s graduating class. More than 120 students from the School of Public Health received a degree this year, including MPH, MS in Biostatistics, DrPH and PhD degrees. The ceremonies were held at Drexel’s John A. Daskalakis Athletic Center.
School of Public Health Photo Gallery
This year, Lilliam Ambroggio, who received her PhD in Epidemiology from the School of Public Health, was awarded the Outstanding Promise award in the Physical and Life Sciences, which was one of six Commencement Day awards presented by Drexel to graduating doctoral students.
At each ceremony, Drexel awarded honorary degrees to prominent individuals distinguished in their fields. The recipients from the School of Public Health's ceremony included:
David A. Kessler, M.D.: is a former commissioner of the United States Food and 
Drug Administration, where he worked from 1990-1997. He was appointed by President George H. W. Bush and reappointed by President Bill Clinton. It was under Kessler’s watch that FDA enacted regulations requiring standardized Nutrition Facts labels on food. He has a wide range of experience in research, clinical medicine, education, administration and the law.
Kessler has served as the dean of the medical schools at Yale University and the University of California, San Francisco, where he is currently a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology and biostatistics. He serves on the boards of various organizations and is a member of the Institute of Medicine and the recipient of numerous awards and honors.
For his dedicated career and his many contributions to an array of fields, Drexel bestowed upon Kessler the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Elizabeth F. and Jason Scott: are the co-executive directors for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, which was founded by their 
daughter, Alexandra or Alex. The Scott’s supported Alex in her mission to find a cure for all children with cancer, including assisting her with her yearly lemonade stands, keeping in touch with supporters, making television appearances and helping to plan fundraising events.
When Alex died in 2004, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer had already raised $1 million. Under their leadership, the foundation has experienced dramatic growth since 2005, raising more than $50 million. The foundation has provided funding for more than 200 cutting-edge research projects, created a travel program to help support families of children receiving treatment and developed resources to help people everywhere affected by childhood cancer.
In recognition of their determination and effort to eradicate childhood cancer, Drexel confered upon Elizabeth F. Scott and Jason Scott the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Drexel University's Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento held its second Commencement on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Nine students in the Executive MPH degree program received their MPH degrees at the ceremony, which featured a keynote address from Cheryl Dell, the president and publisher of the Sacramento Bee. Dell received an honorary doctorate.
Walt Straub, entrepreneur and current Chairman of the Board at Vangard Voice Systems, also received an honorary doctorate at the ceremony. Straub received both a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and a master's degree in finance from Drexel University.
Congratulations to all of the graduates.