HARROGATE, Tenn. — The inaugural class of the Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) will celebrate the completion of its veterinary medical education at the school’s first commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 19, at 10 in Tex Turner Arena on the LMU main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee. Randy Boyd, a longtime Knoxville entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist, will serve as commencement speaker.

“Our first graduation day has been our most anticipated event since we opened our doors in 2014,” said Dr. Jason Johnson, vice president and dean of LMU-CVM. “We congratulate our inaugural class members and wish them well in their careers. Our students have spent the last four years serving both people and animals in our community and beyond. I am anxious to see the impact our students will continue to have in the diverse fields of veterinary medicine in our region, in our country and around the world.”

Members of the Class of 2018 began their journey to become doctors of veterinary medicine in August 2014. One of only 30 veterinary colleges when it opened its doors, the LMU-CVM has welcomed over 400 students in the last four years.

“Our unique curriculum, which immerses students in clinical and professional skills from day one, would not be complete without our devoted clinical affiliate partners, who hosted our senior students for their senior clinical year, and for that I am grateful,” Johnson said.

LMU-CVM is devoted to the mission of improving animal and human health care in the Appalachian region. Approximately 30 percent of the members of the inaugural class have already accepted job offers within the Appalachian footprint.