DG Campus Celebrates Fall Graduates

Just two weeks after new student orientation, we held our first graduation of the year in Downers Grove today. The ceremony welcomed new alumni into the Chicago College of Pharmacy, the Physician Assistant Program, and the Clinical Psychology Program.

Because Littlejohn Hall on our DG Campus can hold approximately 1,200 guests, we are able to host smaller graduations three times a year to coincide closely to when the students complete their degree requirements. These events are more intimate for the graduates and their families, allowing us to celebrate this important event on our own academic campus.

To honor each class, Dr. Goeppinger reflects on their special accomplishments, while a graduate from each class also shares their memories. Today's ceremony featured the inaugural graduates of the Clinical Psychology Program. Dr. G applauded their academic achievements, notable that they matched 100% into very prestigious internships, the only Psy.D. program in the country to achieve this 100% goal. She also humorously remembered the class's famous "Nate's BBQ," which included a small charcoal fire being started accidentally in a dumpster that the students tried to put out with cups of water and a small garden hose. The students described themselves as both "pioneers" and "nerds" in being the very first class to graduate in MWU's program and setting the very high standards for all future classes.

The CCP class included both traditional Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) students as well as Nontraditional Pharm.D. (NTPD) students. While both groups earned the same doctorate, the nontraditional class included students who had "come back to school" to complete their Pharm.D. after previously receiving a bachelor of science in pharmacy. Dr. G remarked on these students commitment to patient education and community service, having started the "Bone Crew" program to teach high school students about osteoporosis. The students recalled their favorite professors and memories of 8 finals weeks and too many tests to count. The fall graduating class included many Rho Chi Scholars and those who had graduated with honors.

The Physician Assistant class likewise made its mark on MWU. Dr. G recalled that this class made up the winning National Challenge Bowl Champions (yes, national!), who won the competition against Stanford University in 2006. The class also lays claim to "the best Halloween haunted house ever," which is an annual tradition hosted by the College of Health Science Student Council for local children. The student speaker recited a very funny list of things she learned in PA school as gleaned from the faculty, such as always eating the food closest to the rim of the bowl in salad bars to prevent food poisoning; choosing a spouse based on whether or not they own a garage; and other funny tips (I wish I could remember them all!).

As each student walked across the stage to be personally congratulated by the President, you could see the joy and sense of accomplishment on their faces. Earning a Psy.D. or a Pharm.D. or a M.M.S. is a significant first step in a long journey of being a health care professional. Beyond the academic victory, these students also clearly have bonded with their class and have made friends for life. The camaraderie between CCP and CHS was also evident, as these alumni will now become colleagues in health care.

Congratulations to the Fall 2007 graduates of MWU. Once again, you have made us proud.