Dean Thomas J. Lawley attended the University's commencement exercises to see the graduation of his son, John.

raduates in the Class of 1997 received their diplomas on a brisk morning under sunny skies that mirrored the glowing faces of 106 new physicians. The valedictory address, Why a Career in Medicine, and What Do I Do When I Get There?, was delivered by Herbert Pardes, MD, vice president for health sciences and dean of the faculty of medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. In a touching recollection, class speaker Ira M. Garonzik recounted the students' four long years together--from their unforgettable M1 anatomy partners to their final frenzy of arranging and rearranging match lists. Having arrived at medical school as complete strangers, graduates of the class of 1997 were departing as lifelong friends. Alfredo Paredes celebrated his graduation with wife, Maria. The recipient of the 1997 Evangeline T. Papageorge Distinguished Teaching Award was J. Richard Amerson, 52M. Dr. Amerson, who recently retired, was a former student of Dr. Papageorge and was a faculty member of the Department of Surgery at Emory since 1957.

Neurosurgeon Fleming Jolley, 43Ox, 47M (center), who retired from The Emory Clinic in 1979, was back on campus come commencement time to see his granddaughter Catherine Bost Peters (second from l) receive her diploma. Catherine's husband, Craig Peters (back row, holding their son, Will), was also a graduate. Emory thoracic surgeon Joseph Miller, 65M, and his wife, Louise, are the proud parents of medical graduate, Laura E. Miller, who is pursuing a pediatric residency at Vanderbilt. Laura will be in good company. Her brother, Joseph I. Miller, III, 91C, 95M, also is a resident at Vanderbilt, in internal medicine. Dr. Joel Felner (center), associate dean for clinical education, has not one, but two, sons with Emory medical degrees: Eric (left), who graduated in 1995, and Kevin, 97M. Associate Professor Donald C. Davis, 76M, is proud to pass on his interest in medicine to his daughter, Lisa. Dr. Davis has been actively involved in various aspects of the medical school curriculum, particularly the interdisciplinary problem-based learning courses.