Thursday, May 29, 2025
The Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2025’s hard work for four years was celebrated during Liberty University’s 2025 Commencement Week that featured a Graduation Gala, Military Commissioning Ceremony and a Hooding Ceremony.
The week began on Wednesday, May 7th with a Commissioning Ceremony for Military Graduates inside the Blue Auditorium at LUCOM that afternoon. 2nd Lieutenant David Lyons, president of the LUCOM student-chapter of the Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons, began he ceremony with a prayer.
Mark E. Rolfs, DO, PharmD, CAQSM administered the oath of office to five Army graduates, while Colonel Steven Keith, United States Air Force, Retired, administered the oath of office to five Air Force graduates and Rear Admiral Tony Cothron, US Navy Retired administered the oath of office to four Navy graduates.
Once the graduates took the oath their friends and family placed the pins on their uniforms. The 14 graduates were then gifted challenge coins, which are small, medallion-like tokens, often adorned with the emblem or insignia of the presenting organization. They serve as a symbol of membership, belonging, and camaraderie. The coins are used to acknowledge an individual’s achievements, dedication, or exemplary service, and serve as a tangible reminder of the appreciation and respect of their peers and superiors.
After the military were honored, the special week continued in downtown Lynchburg at The Virginian Hotel for the Graduation Gala on Wednesday evening. The night featured dinner, fellowship and awards that were handed out to various students.
Several faculty members were in attendance to present awards and celebrate the student-doctors they have taught for four years. 19 student-doctors received awards as voted on by their peers. The awards ranged from OMM and Anatomy Fellow Recognition to Clinical Service Awards. Chase Anderson was given the Academic and Clinical Excellence Award, one of the most prestigious awards of the night.
Numerous students were acknowledged with certificates for Honors and Highest Honors, while other students were honored for their many years of service in the tutorial program. A group of students were honored for their time as LUCOM Ambassadors and a handful were honored with mission-aligned certificates from a Samaritan’s Purse and The Luke Commission.
The night ended with more fellowship, conversation and excitement in preparation for the biggest event of the week on Thursday, the Hooding Ceremony.
The Hooding Ceremony was hosted at the School of Music Concert Hall where individuals were gathered to hear their names called, walk across stage, get hooded, shake hands and celebrate with family and friends.
The processional began and the student-doctors, faculty and platform party all filled into the empty spaces of the concert hall. After everyone was seated the ceremony began with a prayer from Timothy O. Leonard, MD, PhD, and opening remarks from Dean Joseph R. Johnson, DO, FACOOG (Dist). Then Provost and Chief Academic Officer Scott M. Hicks, Ph.D. gave remarks to all the graduates.
A few minutes later, the first group of the 150 individuals walked onto stage as student-doctors and walked off the other side as doctors and the eighth graduating class of Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Commencement Week concluded with the 2025 Commencement Main Ceremony on Friday inside Williams Stadium that featured speakers and fulfillment of hard work from the 52nd graduating class of Liberty University.
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