Dr David Addiss encouraged the new Masters of Science graduates, parents, and faculty of the Eck Institute for Global Health during a stirring commencement speech.  David congratulated the students and commended them, acknowledging that “…by choosing the field of global health, you seek to address, transform, and prevent suffering in some of the most marginalized and neglected populations on earth – you have a vision for a compassionate world.”  He  spoke about the importance of mentors and visionaries of compassion including Fr. Donald McNeill from UND and author of Compassion – A reflection on the Christian Life, with Douglas Morrison and Henri Nouwen.

Fr Donald McNeill and Dr David Addiss

David ended with a challenge for the new graduates “…to see yourselves as leaders. As a field that values all human life, global health has a prophetic voice. This voice has not yet matured or been clearly articulated. It has never been needed more than it is needed today. Your formation here at Notre Dame has prepared you to lift up this prophetic voice courageously and convincingly.   I believe that the future of global health will depend on it.”