Dr. Mark R. Lovell, a distinguished leader in the field of neuropsychology and the study of sports concussion, will be honored with the honorary degree of Doctor of Science and will be the commencement speaker at Northern Michigan University’s Spring Commencement Exercises on Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Dr. Lovell recently retired from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School as a professor of orthopaedic surgery and neurological surgery.  He also served as the Director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Sports Medicine Concussion Program since 2000.  He has held numerous academic and administrative positions in the fields of neurology, orthopaedics, psychology, psychiatry, and neuropsychology.  His work has included research in the area of sports concussions and, more recently, with head injured soldiers returning from the war in Iraq.  He is a consultant to many professional sports organizations and provides leadership in the study of assessment of the neurocognitive effects and management of sports-related concussions. 

Dr. Lovell is a lifetime member of the Northern Michigan University Alumni Association and received the NMU Distinguished Alumni Award from NMU in 2003.  He began his education at Northern Michigan University in 1973 and earned his BS in Psychology in 1977.   He received a PhD. in Clinical Psychology at Finch University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School in 1984. 

You will be hearing much more about Dr. Lovell tomorrow at the commencement ceremonies.