May 22, 2007: Several dozen Toledo high school students – many from under-represented populations – graduated from the Toledo Starz program, a University of Toledo Office of Institutional Diversity initiative, designed to introduce high school students interested in medical and health-related careers to the health sciences.

The graduation ceremony, held in the Mulford Library Café, featured keynote speaker Dr. Kettlie Daniels, a UT College of Medicine alum and practicing Toledo psychiatrist. Daniels is the author of “So I Have Knocked Knees…Yet, Destined for More.”

“Many of these students come from under-represented populations and might not otherwise have exposure to health science and medical fields,” said Sandra Rivers, manager of institutional diversity programs at UT.

“This is the time to celebrate these students going above and beyond to further their education. The program’s goal is to capture students’ attention just as they are beginning to consider which career paths to pursue,” noted Rivers.

Students from area high schools were invited to participate including: Bowsher, Libbey, Rogers, Scott, Toledo Early College , St. Ursula, Maumee Valley Country Day, Notre Dame, and Cardinal Stritch.