Twenty-twenty is often associated with clear vision after retrospection. We hope that you, as a member of the Class of 2020 of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), can appreciate how you have persevered through extraordinary circumstances to successfully complete your MS, PhD, or MD/PhD degree. We could not be more proud of you!

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing turmoil across the world. While this alters how we formally honor you and our newest graduating class with a commencement ceremony, it does not change the fact that we celebrate you and your achievements! By working with expert faculty members, collaborating with researchers across the Texas Medical Center, and building a reservoir of knowledge in the most significant areas of biomedical sciences, you have an arsenal of tools and a world-class education to tackle the world's health care needs.

You will undoubtedly encounter hurdles as you progress through your next steps in life, heading out into the world outside of the GSBS. But who will be better prepared than the Class of 2020 to overcome unforeseen challenges and major obstacles? After all, this class of graduates trained through Hurricane Harvey and now an unprecedented world pandemic; you are prepared for anything to come!

As you remember your graduate education with 20/20 vision, please take pride in your accomplishments and use the knowledge and invaluable experiences you gained to help humanity, advocate for science, and be an outstanding global citizen. We hope that you will join us next year to celebrate your graduation in a combined 2020/2021 GSBS Commencement Ceremony -- the best ever!

Once again, congratulations and we look forward to your future successes!

Michelle C. Barton, PhD, and Michael R. Blackburn, PhD
Deans, MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School