Order of Exercises

School of Health Sciences

3 p.m.

Trumpet Prelude and Processional

Pomp and Circumstance, Sir Edward Elgar

Call to Commencement

Debra J. Liebowitz, PhD
Provost

National Anthem

Gabrielle Mae Sparks

Greetings

Judy D. Olian, PhD
President

Class of 2024 Student Speakers

• Undergraduate: Kathryn Elizabeth Damato

• Graduate: Olivia Jane Ferreira

Introduction of Commencement Speaker

Karen Majeski, OTD
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy Program Director, Post-Professional OTD

Commencement Address

Barry Stein, MD
Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Hartford HealthCare

Presentation of Candidates for Degrees and Awards

Jeff McCubbin, PhD
Interim Dean

Conferral of Degrees

Judy D. Olian

Alumni Welcome

Pam Martinez ’86
Alumni Association Board

Recessional

Barry Stein, MD, MBA, FSIR, FACR, RPVI

Vice President and Chief Clinical Innovation Officer, Hartford HealthCare

School of Health Sciences Undergraduate and Graduate Ceremony | Sunday, May 11, 3 p.m.

Dr. Barry Stein is an experienced physician executive and innovation leader across multiple medical domains, specialties and organizational functions. Recognizing artificial intelligence as the fuel for healthcare innovation, Stein is developing an enterprise capability to unlock AI’s transformative applications in a safe and trustworthy way.

At Hartford HealthCare, Stein serves as the chief clinical innovation officer, the chief medical informatics officer and the leader of Hartford HealthCare’s Center for AI Innovation. He also practices as a vascular and interventional radiologist. 

Stein received his post graduate medical training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, where he did his radiology residency, served as chief resident, and completed fellowships in MRI, and vascular and interventional radiology. He received his medical degree from the University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa.

Stein is board certified by the American Board of Radiology in diagnostic radiology and vascular and interventional radiology and is a fellow of both the Society of Interventional Radiology and the American College of Radiology. He is regarded as one of the pioneers in the development, and clinical paradigm shift, from invasive angiography to magnetic resonance angiography.

Mace and Medallion

The mace — a symbol of authority — has antecedents in both Roman and Medieval history. The Roman mace (fasces) was carried by a lictor before the chief magistrate of the city, as well as before the legions. During the Middle Ages, the mace (mateola), a weapon of war, became first a symbol of victory and then a symbol of authority. The mace emblazoned with the Great Seal of England became a symbol of authority in Parliament by the end of the 13th century. It is this form of the mace that was the prototype of those symbols of authority, not only of legislative bodies, but also of cities and universities.

In 1246, following some 20 years of strife, the University of Paris was finally conceded the right to its own common seal. Since then, the use of the seal engraved on the mace has come to symbolize the authority of the academic community. In July 2000, Quinnipiac commissioned the noted sculptor Robert Meyer of Westport, Connecticut, to design and execute a new mace for Quinnipiac University. Cast in bronze, the mace incorporates elements of the university seal.

The medallion (medal of office), like the mace and the seal, is also a symbol of authority. It is possible that its roots may be traced back to the Roman “bulla” (a gold amulet of honor). The obverse of the medallion shows the seal of the office the wearer holds — in our case, the seal of the university. Not infrequently, the reverse would show the personal seal or coat of arms of the bearer. Since the High Middle Ages, the medallion has been worn by such officials as the chancellors of England, mayors of cities, and rectors of universities, and came to signify the high personal position such figures occupied in their respective governments. During the Renaissance, medallion design reached unique artistic heights, and in certain portraits the medallion was given particular prominence. The medallion is worn by the university’s president. The Quinnipiac medal showcases the university seal, sculpted in relief and cast in bronze.

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

The 12th and 13th centuries saw the formation of universities under the jurisdiction of the Church. Most students of the day were clerks in the Holy Order, monks or priests. Cowls or hoods adorned their habits and protected the young scholars from harsh weather and the pervading dampness of the stone buildings in which they studied. Hoods also served to cover tonsured heads before the use of the skullcap.

Today, the cap, gown and hood have taken on a symbolic meaning. Color and shape conform to an academic code signifying a university’s conferral of the degree and the nature of the degree conferred. Gowns for the doctoral degree carry velvet panels and three horizontal velvet bars on the upper arm of the full, round, bell-shaped sleeves.