Current Student News
Optometry
General News
Seeing Alexander Kirn, OD ‘25, become a Doctor of Optometry and receive his diploma at Salus University’s 130th commencement ceremony on May 21, 2025, wasn’t something his parents were always certain was going to happen.
See, father Daniel Kirn, OD ‘94, Resident ‘95, and mother Katherine (White) Kirn, OD, Resident ‘95, met during their on-campus primary care residency at The Eye Institute (TEI) of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO). But would the family legacy carry on to the next generation?
After getting married, starting a family and opening their own optometry practice in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the Kirns had each of their children, once they were old enough, work summers in the practice. According to his mother, Alex wasn’t exactly overly enthused about the assignment.
“Alex did not really enjoy working in our office because the summer he started, we were transitioning to Electronic Medical Records (EMRs),” said Dr. Katherine Kirn. “His job was to scan all the paper charts into digital records. And, he really didn’t like that so we thought we had discouraged him.”
But along the way, Alex changed his mind, and his parents had the honor of placing his hood on him on stage during the commencement ceremony, held at the Academy of Music.
“It was amazing,” said Dr. Alexander Kirn, who will also follow in the footsteps of his parents by starting his residency at TEI in July. “I’m really happy that the school offered the chance to have family (members) come up and be a part of the process.”
This spring’s commencement was special for a number of reasons, not the least of which is because the Class of 2025 is the last to graduate under the Salus University banner. The University will complete a two-year process of merging and integrating with Drexel University this summer. Upon completion, moving forward, Drexel University will be the degree granting institution.
For Eddie Y. Diaz Serrano, AuD ‘25, receiving his diploma and giving the graduate address at commencement marked the culmination of a long journey fueled by confidence, persistence and determination.
Diaz Serrano came to the United States from Puerto Rico when he was just 13 years old. As a teenager, he had a plan: To learn a new language, pursue higher education and carve out a new path for himself.
A well-meaning guidance counselor encouraged Diaz Serrano to forgo college and enter the workforce right after high school - but that wasn’t part of the plan. “It created doubt, and it stung. But it also lit a fire,” said Diaz Serrano. “I could do less as I was advised to do, or I could do differently. And, I chose to do differently. It wasn’t a straight path.”
As he reflected on that path, Diaz Serrano also reflected on some the advice he received along the way from that same counselor – to “shoot for the ground.” “Not the stars, not even the clouds, just the ground,” he said. “It was the kind of advice you don’t expect when you’re talking about your dreams. But we have learned that from the ground grows resilience, compassion, innovation and strength. That is what defines greatness. Not how far you fly, or which constellation you come close to. But how deeply you impact the lives around you here on the ground.”
As a bonus for his family, who didn’t know he was going to deliver the graduate address, Diaz Serrano spoke to them in Spanish. Translated, he said, “To my family, those who are here today and the ones watching from back home. To the brave who said goodbye to their home countries to follow their own dreams, I dedicate this speech and today to you.”
Salus president Michael H. Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FAAO. FACHE – who Drexel officials recently announced will be leaving the University to become president of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences this summer – shared with students and their families that this would be the final commencement under the Salus University name. There were 285 degrees conferred to graduates and 268 students who participated in the ceremony.
Filling in for scheduled keynote speaker Vice Admiral Dr. Raquel “Rocky” Bono, who had to cancel at the last minute due to illness, Dr. Mittelman shared some principles with students that “I hope you’ll carry with you and that have stood the test of time.”
After the presentation of diplomas, provost Gerard “Gerry” O’Sullivan, PhD, led the graduates in reciting the Oath to Professionalism and Jimmy T. Brand, AuD ‘22, CCC-A, Salus University Alumni Association Board of Director, delivered the congratulations address to the newest alumni.
The evening before commencement, receptions for graduates of all programs were held at two locations in Philadelphia. And a reception for Orthotics and Prosthetics graduates was held earlier in the week at the Elkins Park campus.
