Class of 2026 selects Commencement hooders

Each year, graduating students vote for faculty members who will serve as hooders at the Commencement ceremony. Students are asked to vote for individuals who have demonstrated a deep commitment to their education and training, are admired for their knowledge and integrity, and have shown support for their class. 

Congratulations to the faculty members selected as hooders by the Class of 2026!

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

Feng Dong, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences

Marcus Julius, M.D. (’94)
Clinical Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Radiology

Paul Lecat, M.D.
Professor of Family and Community Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 

Jeffrey Mellott, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology 

Eugene Mowad, M.D.
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
Vice Dean, College of Medicine

Rupesh Raina, M.D.
Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
M4 Elective Director, College of Medicine

Corrie Stofcho, M.D. (‘06)
Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs 

Jesse Young, Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical Sciences

COLLEGE OF PHARMACY

Richard Cahn, Pharm.D., BCPS
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice

Hannah Cross, Pharm.D., (’13), R.Ph.
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice

Altaf Darvesh, M.Pharm., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Specialty Dentistry and Psychiatry

Chrisovalantis Paxos, Pharm.D., BCPP, BCPS, BCGP 
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Director of Pharmacotherapy

Mate M. Soric, Pharm.D., BCPS, FCCP, FASHP
Chair and Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Internal Medicine

Erik Wasowski, Pharm.D., BCPS
Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice

COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Samuel Crish, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Jessica Ferrell, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences

Takhar Kasumov, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Moses Oyewumi, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Fayez Safadi, Ph.D.
Professor of Biomedical Sciences

Commencement is Saturday, May 2, starting at 10 a.m. at E.J. Thomas Hall in Akron. The ceremony will be streamed live on Facebook.