An audience of several hundred FSU College of Medicine students, faculty and staff members filled the atrium of the John Thrasher Building Wednesday to honor retiring Dean John P. Fogarty and celebrate his successor, Interim Dean Alma Littles.

The Passing of the Torch event was a largely ceremonial sendoff for Fogarty, who led the College of Medicine for more than 14 years. Littles presented Fogarty with a framed proclamation, endorsed and approved by Florida State University, honoring him as Dean Emeritus of the College of Medicine.

“People ask me why I came here, and I really came here for the mission,” Fogarty said. “…What’s kept me here for 14 years is not just the mission, but each and every one of you here in this hall. I really love the students and have really had the best job in the world.”

Littles thanked Fogarty for his “leadership, mentorship and friendship” before acknowledging those whose “hard work led us to this place in time.” 

“I invite you to dive deeper into the contributions [our past leaders] made to ensure this college was created and is successful,” Littles said. “…I want them to know that they have left the College of Medicine in good hands and I pledge to do my very best to ensure we continue on an upward trajectory.”

The event closed with Fogarty passing a lit torch to Littles, symbolizing the change in leadership that officially took place Feb. 1.

You can view the entire ceremony here.