We, the current and past students in the Masters of Public Health Program at Virginia Commonwealth University are hereby requesting the continuation of the departmental graduation ceremony. The departmental graduation ceremony is the culminating point of our education and has been a long standing tradition. It is a celebration of both our educational achievements and those who came before us, as well as a congratulatory event for our families. The departmental graduation ceremony represents the close relationship that has been fostered between us, the students, and VCU, the faculty and staff. This petition represents the voice of the students that embody the Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, and the desire to have our discontent regarding the possible discontinuation of the departmental graduation ceremony heard. We trust our voices will be taken seriously and that our opinions on matters of this nature will be asked of in the future.