Stowers Graduate School President Betty Drees, M.D., addressed the graduates and attendees. “It is my great pleasure to welcome you today for the celebration of our graduating researchers. The journey to reach today’s celebration started three decades ago with the vision of Jim and Virginia Stowers to make a significant contribution to humanity through medical research and education.”

“Shortly after the Institute opened, planning began for creating a graduate school with a mission—to prepare a superb cadre of predoctoral researchers from around the world for the pursuit of innovation and creative investigations in the biological sciences,” said Drees. “Our newest graduates are our hope for life, are a superb cadre of scientists, and fulfill the vision of Jim and Virginia Stowers, the Stowers Institute, and the Graduate School.”

Dean of the Graduate School Matt Gibson, Ph.D., addressed the graduates as well. “Progress in science and the generation of truly novel findings and insights are frequently built on the foundation of failure rather than being the product of an effortless, linear pursuit.”

“I want to make this important point: Effortless and linear progress is decidedly not how science happens,” said Gibson. “In celebrating the achievements of our graduates today, let us also celebrate their resilience and strength in overcoming the inevitable setbacks we all face in science. Failure, as much as success, is part of the process we call doing science.”

Congratulations to the 2024 graduates of the Stowers Graduate School and to all those who supported their journey and accomplishment.