Graduations and Orientations

The last few weeks have been a blur of graduation ceremonies and orientation welcomes, as we congratulate our newest alumni and introduce our newest students. While the pace of events can be daunting, the celebrations are always very fulfilling for all of us.

The best part for me is that I get a front row view of graduation, along with my colleagues on the Administrative Team. We get to see the students as they "move their tassles to the left" and become graduates. We watch as they walk across the stage, beaming with pride, shaking hands with Dr. G, and then waving to their family members. Graduation is why we work at a University--to see the students reach their dreams and knowing that we helped get them to this stage of their future.

Graduations always have unscripted moments as well. At the inaugural AZCOM Commencement held in our new Auditorium on the Glendale Campus, a fire alarm was accidentally pulled right before the closing benediction. The platform party, graduates, and guests all handled the situation with efficiency, exiting the auditorium quickly and calmly. Fortunately, the day was relatively cool for Arizona, so we all gathered on the patio in front of the building to congratulate the alumni, meet the families, and greet colleagues.

Our final commencement for the end of spring quarter is this Friday, for the College of Pharmacy-Glendale. We have another one in August and again in September. Because all students now graduate on campus, we are able to host college ceremonies as close as possible to the time of program completion for the students.

Last week we also held summer orientation for our new pharmacy, physician assistant, cardiovascular perfusion, and nurse anesthesia in Glendale and our physician assistant and physical therapy students in Downers Grove. Dr. G provides an overview of MWU to the students and introduces the members of the administrative team. We learn where the students come from across the country, and they get to meet their classmates and faculty. Their excitement is palpable as is our gratitude that they have chosen to become part of MWU.

Graduations and orientations are a busy time but also a wonderful time at MWU. We hope to see you at one of these events sometime in the future!