Centre alumnus receives degree after 50-year wait

Dr. Jay Anderson’s professional accomplishments are impressive. As he nears a planned retirement, he is reflecting on a medical career that took him to Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, and now California, where he currently serves as dental director at One Community Health Sacramento.

But throughout his journey, from private practice to teaching dental students and leading programs to improve patient care, he felt something was missing — his degree from Centre College, which he passed up after being recruited to dental school during his third year of undergraduate studies.

“When I was at Centre, my focus was to get into dental school,” he said. “But I always felt that when I left Centre, I was leaving something behind that I needed to finish.”

Now, more than 50 years after he first arrived on campus, Anderson is officially a Centre College graduate. During a ceremony on campus, surrounded by friends, family, Centre students, staff and faculty, Anderson was awarded his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

“I feel like I’m coming home,” he said.

Anderson, who holds a dental degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan, first floated the idea of completing his Centre degree during an event held on campus in 2025, bringing together Centre’s Black alumni.

“I floated it out to the president because I’m retiring and I’ll have some free time,” Anderson said.

That passing mention to Centre President Milton C. Moreland set in motion an official review process that saw members of the Chemistry faculty consult with the Office of Academic Affairs and the school Registrar to evaluate Anderson’s coursework in dental and graduate school, confirming that his studies filled the gaps in his Centre transcript.

It was a more rigorous process than Anderson anticipated, but one befitting the academic standards of a Centre degree.

“To tell you the truth, what I had thought was I could go on one of these semesters abroad and get some coursework done and have some fun doing it,” Anderson laughed.

Anderson will be honored again during Centre’s 203rd Commencement ceremony on May 24. Giving him the opportunity to enjoy the graduation he missed in 1974.

“When everyone in my class graduated, I felt left out,” Anderson admitted following the ceremony. “This is wonderful for me.”

Raymond Burse ’73 had the honor of presenting his friend — and now fellow alumnus — with his framed degree.

“Today you come full circle in terms of what Centre means, what Centre can do and what the opportunity that Centre provides to students of all colors, particularly students of African American descent,” Burse said. “It’s meant an awful lot to a lot of us. A number of our colleagues from the 60s and 70s wanted to be here today. But on behalf of them, I say ‘Congratulations’ to you.”

And with that, Anderson officially took his place among the ranks of Centre alumni.

“Great people tend to do great things,” Anderson said as he remembered classmates and college leaders from his time on campus. “And being a Centre College grad is a great thing. Thank you so very much.”