2010 Commencement Speaker & Honorees

This year’s Sesquicentennial Commencement will honor Ralph A. O’Connell, M.D., provost and dean of the School of Medicine, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Science degree and will deliver the Commencement Address.

Dr. O’Connell became provost and dean in 1996. A member of the faculty since 1980, he previously served as vice chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and clinical director of psychiatry at Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York City.

This year’s Commencement will also honor Peter Frelinghuysen, Esq., and John C. McGiff, M.D., who will receive honorary Doctor of Science degrees.

Mr. Frelinghuysen, a partner at the law firm of Morris & McVeigh LLP, is Chairman of the Board of Directors of The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, a College affiliate. He earned an A.B. degree from Princeton College and an LL.B. degree from Yale Law School.

Dr. McGiff is chairman of the College’s Department of Pharmacology, with a world renowned reputation for his cardiovascular research. He received his B.S. degree from Georgetown University and M.D. degree from Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons.