This week marked the summer orientation programs at both of our campuses. On Monday and Tuesday, the Downers Grove Campus welcomed 48 physical therapy and 86 physician assistant studies students. On Wednesday and Thursday, the Glendale Campus greeted 130 pharmacy, 85 physician assistant studies, and 20 nurse anesthesia students. Every seat was filled for all of these programs as a result of another successful recruitment and admissions cycle.
In Downers Grove, the PT and PA students were oriented to their new college, the College of Health Sciences. They met with the college administration and faculty and toured their new academic home, Alumni Hall. The Hyde Atrium was the place for "Taking Care of Business," where students picked up parking passes, were measured for their white coats, and made sure they had turned in all of their transcripts. Dr. G and the Administrative Team formally welcomed the students on Monday afternoon. One of Dr. G's orientation traditions is for students to introduce themselves based on their hometowns. Unfortunately, the summer group found that no students hailed from Downers Grove, but many came from the western suburbs and Chicagoland area. States throughout the midwest, east, south, and west were well represented.
Many of us flew out to Arizona midweek so we could attend this morning's orientation in Glendale. This was the first year that the College of Pharmacy-Glendale started their classes in the summer, so it was an especially large orientation. The new pharmacy students were also greeted by their new dean, Dennis J. McCallian, Pharm.D., who was recently formally appointed as the new Dean of the College. Dr. McCallian is well-respected by the faculty and the administration, and he is truly an advocate for his students, so he will be a great leader for the College.
During Dr. G's welcome of the Glendale students, we found about 7 or 8 who were from Glendale, so we will make sure Mayor Scruggs knows that we are recruiting from our own hometown. Many students came from the Phoenix Valley, as well as large groups from Tucson and Flagstaff areas. As students stood up from the east, west, midwest, and south, the diversity of the student body became clear. We had two students from Alaska, one from Hawaii, one from Vancouver, and the farthest-traveler prize went to a student from Malaysia. There was a row of guys from Utah, and quite a few from Colorado and Texas. One student reminded us that Texas is not a southern state, but Florida is, as Dr. G excused the health science students for their lapses in geography.
Many of the themes of MWU were set by Dr. G during her time with the new students at orientation. It was clear that we are an academic family, with the faculty and administration present and eager to meet our new students. It was clear that we have high expectations, as Dr. G stressed that MWU cannot cut corners. The traits of discipline and hard work that students gain while at MWU will serve them well when they are treating patients. Dr. G made it very clear that more is expected of our students because their careers will be focused on treating patients and taking care of family members. We expect no less from our students in the classroom than their patients will expect from them in the clinics and hospitals. Professionalism starts on day 1 at MWU.
Orientation is also a fun time to get to know classmates and the campus. Students get together both in formal events and informally around campus and in the residence halls. Without a doubt, the friends they meet this week will likely become some of their best friends and colleagues throughout their careers. It has been an exciting week. For our 369 new summer start students, welcome to MWU. We're glad you're here.
