Downers Grove Graduation Traditions

Yesterday, we held graduation ceremonies for the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and the College of Health Sciences Biomedical Sciences Program and Clinical Psychology Program. We had great weather--70s and sunshine--and wonderful ceremonies for both colleges. Each had its own special traditions.

At our Downers Grove Campus, we hold commencements literally every quarter: PA and PsyD graduate in September; PT and OT graduate in January; CCP graduates in March; and CCOM, Biomed, and Master of Psych graduate in May. The graduations are held in our campus in Littlejohn Hall Auditorium. Since these ceremonies are separate for each college, they are somewhat more intimate than larger graduations and the classes have an opportunity to celebrate their successes together. They also get to come back to their academic campus after being on rotations for a year or two, and their families get to tour the campus as well.

As our founding college, CCOM enjoys a special tradition of allowing students to be hooded by a close relative who is also a CCOM graduate. This year, about 20 alumni fathers, mothers, uncles, sisters, and grandparents were able to personally hood their loved one. This tradition respects the legacy of CCOM and our many loyal alumni, some of whom have several generations of graduates in the family. As a member of the Administrative Team at MWU, I get a front-row seat at all of the ceremonies. This year, as soon as Dean Karen Nichols led the Class of 2007 in the Osteopathic Oath and presented the class to Dr. G, who officially conferred their Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees, one of the students also in the front row began to cry. Clearly, receiving a doctoral degree and achieving your dream of becoming a physician is a pivotal event in anyone's life. This new D.O. was so emotional, that it also brought tears to my eyes. Four years of medical school is tough to say the least--so many classes, tests, board exams, and the challenges and joys of working with patients during clinical rotations all culminates in earning the degree and being able to move on to a residency program. CCOM's Class of 2007 has much to be proud of, and I am privileged to do my small part to help these students reach their goals.

Photo: I look at bit crazy, I admit, but I wanted to give you a sense of the recessional out of the auditorium, with the MWU deans and officers in full academic regalia.

After the packed house at CCOM's morning ceremony, the afternoon brought a smaller but no less proud group of CHS graduates. Another of our graduation traditions is that one member of the graduating class, usually the class president, delivers remarks at the ceremony. The Master of Biomedical Sciences student spoke of his pride in completing an original research project. All MBS students conduct research with faculty mentors, which often produces publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national scientific meetings. These students work hard during their two years at MWU and many pursue research careers or go on to professional health care programs, including medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or the health sciences. For the Clinical Psychology class, the student speaker gave his remarks in the form of a Dr. Seuss rhyme. His classmates laughed along with him as he took a walk down memory lane of their experiences in learning about clinical psychology. After receiving their master's degree, most of these students continue two more years to complete their Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree. The master's degree allows them to continue their clinical training to the doctoral level.

Photo: Anatomy Professor Dr. Rita Getz poses with her student mentee in front of Chester for a photo.

Another one of our Downers Grove traditions involves our unofficial mascot, Chester the Horse. This beautiful bronze statue was actually donated to the University by one of our most beloved alumni couples, Dr. Pui and Mrs. Audrey Tsang. Several years ago, they moved out of their San Francisco home and donated some of their sculptures to our campus. This horse represents the strength and determination that is required of students to complete their graduate/professional degrees. I'm not sure who first named him Chester, but the name seems to have stuck. At each graduation, the Registrar's Office orders an extra hood for the horse, to help celebrate the spirit of the day on campus. Chester then becomes a wonderful "photo op" for graduates and family members.

Photo: Director of Clinical Psychology Dr. Frank Prerost (left) congratulates his students in the receiving line.

The concluding tradition for our campus graduations is the receiving line. After leaving Littlejohn Hall, the platform party and faculty line the sidewalk and the graduates shake each person's hand. They often stop to hug their favorite faculty member. The most hugged is Dr. Teresa Dombrowski, Professor of Anatomy and Dean of Students. She knows all of their names and has a meaningful word of encouragement for each. The graduates are clearly so happy and proud, but always a bit sad to be leaving the close friendships they have formed over their time at MWU and the comfort of their campus home. At each and every ceremony, Dr. G reminds them of this important fact: Stay in touch. We are about you and you will always be able to call MWU home.