College of Health Celebrates Class of 2026 at Spring Convocation
At a Glace
- The College of Health celebrated Spring Convocation on May 1, 2026
- Nearly 700 graduates earned degrees across undergraduate, master’s, clinical doctorate, and PhD programs
- Dean Kelly Tappenden and Dr. Bob Carter highlighted the college’s impact on health, community engagement, and the future of health care
- Student speakers Sohom Mookherjee and Madeleine Khoo reflected on perseverance, purpose, and preparation for what comes next
College of Health Honors the Class of 2026
The University of Utah College of Health celebrated the Class of 2026 during its 56th annual Spring Convocation on May 1, recognizing nearly 700 graduates across six academic departments. Graduates earned bachelor’s, master’s, clinical doctorate, and PhD degrees, completing rigorous academic, clinical, and research training that prepares them to improve health and well-being across communities.
Dean Kelly Tappenden, PhD, opened the ceremony by welcoming graduates, families, faculty, and staff, emphasizing the collective effort behind each graduate’s success. She recognized the faculty and staff whose mentorship and dedication helped students reach this milestone and highlighted the College of Health’s role in advancing prevention, rehabilitation, and lifelong wellness.
“You stand on the threshold of a new chapter,” Tappenden said. “As graduates of the College of Health, you are at the forefront of enabling people to live long, fulfilling, healthy, and self-determined lives.”
Bob Carter, PhD, executive vice president for Health Sciences and CEO of University of Utah Health, congratulated the Class of 2026 and underscored the college’s growing impact across education, research, and community engagement.
During the past year alone, College of Health students contributed more than 59,000 hours of community engagement, including teaching, pro bono clinics, food pharmacy initiatives, and outreach programs. Carter also noted that the Class of 2026 includes the first graduating cohorts from the entry-level clinical doctorate in occupational therapy program and the hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
“The College of Health is helping redefine not just lifespan, but healthspan,” Carter said, pointing to the increasing demand for professionals trained in prevention, rehabilitation, nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle-based interventions. “Your expertise, compassion, and leadership are needed now more than ever.”
With nearly 2,900 students across six departments, the College of Health is one of the largest colleges at the University of Utah, preparing graduates for careers in health education, clinical practice, research, and leadership across the health sciences.
Student Voices Reflect on Resilience and Purpose
Graduate student speaker Sohom Mookherjee, a PhD graduate in Nutrition and Integrative Physiology, reflected on his journey from India to Utah and the challenges of adapting to a new country during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing parallels between scientific research and life, Mookherjee encouraged graduates to persevere through uncertainty, remain curious, and learn from setbacks.
“Science moves forward not because we are always right, but because we are curious enough to keep asking questions and bold enough never to give up,” Mookherjee said.
Undergraduate speaker Madeleine Khoo, a Health and Kinesiology graduate and international student from Malaysia, spoke about the unseen moments behind every degree — discipline, resilience, and the decision to keep going even when overwhelmed. She emphasized that commencement marks not an ending, but the completion of preparation for professions built on trust, integrity, and care.
“What feels like an ending is, in reality, our call to begin,” Khoo said.
During the ceremony, the College of Health recognized outstanding student achievement:
Ainsley Temudo received the Outstanding Graduate Student Award for her exceptional doctoral research and leadership.
Mary Kate Hackworthy was honored as Outstanding Undergraduate Student for her academic excellence, leadership, and community impact.
As the ceremony concluded, Dean Tappenden reminded graduates of the profound impact their work will have — from restoring mobility and communication, to preventing chronic disease, advancing research, and improving quality of life through movement, nutrition, and community engagement.
“Your education has prepared you to navigate complexity and adapt to change,” she said. “Beyond your skills and knowledge, it is your passion, dedication, and compassion that will truly make a difference.”
The College of Health Class of 2026 now joins a growing community of alumni leading change across health care, research, and public health — locally, nationally, and around the world.
