Academic Year is in Full Swing at Both Campuses

The school year is off and running, and I realize it has been many weeks since my last blog. Between orientations and graduations and recognition dinners, it has been hard to keep up!

New students started at both campuses in late August. In Glendale, the inaugural class of 52 students in the Arizona College of Optometry were welcomed to campus. With their new faculty, they are already making their mark on our community, volunteering to do free vision screenings at local events. All of our programs at both campuses welcomed full classes of students, from all over the country, all dedicated to careers in health care.

Both campuses also held Fall graduation ceremonies for our physician assistant, clinical psychology, and nurse anesthetist programs. With the sounds of bagpipes in the air, our newest alumni were able to celebrate the completion of their degree programs and launch into their new careers. It is always exciting to welcome new students one week and then congratulate new graduates the next. The cycle of our campus life is ongoing, and as faculty and staff, we are always reminded of why we are here: to help our students along the journey of becoming a health provider and making a difference in the world.

Also just a week or so ago, we held our annual Faculty/Staff Recognition Dinner in Glendale. Employees were honored for their 5-, 10-, 15-, 25-, 30-, and 35-year anniversaries with MWU. Dr. David Mann, Professor of Biochemistry, shared his experiences as a 35-year member of the faculty first in Downers Grove and now in Glendale. The prestigous Littlejohn Awards were given to alumnus Alan Schalscha, D.O.; faculty member Craig Johnston, Ph.D.; and staff member Daniel Tapia. In their acceptance speeches, they all talked about the honor of being part of a team and being privileged to serve. They make us proud for their work in the community and support of our students and colleagues, and were all more than deserving of this recognition.

Photo: Dr. Mary Lee and I were both recognized for 15 years at MWU.

I had the distinct privilege to give the invocation at this event. I thought I would share my prayer, as I hope it speaks to the nature of our campus community:

"Creator and Sustainer of Life:

As we gather this evening as members of the Midwestern University community, we ask you to bless our work and our service as we begin another academic year.

We share our thanks for our Board members and our leaders, who 14 years ago had the vision, the courage, and the wisdom to build our beautiful Glendale Campus.

We share our thanks for our faculty members, who are committed to educating tomorrow's health care team, by teaching our students the science of medicine and by mentoring them to be compassionate caregivers.

We share our thanks for our staff members, who are dedicated to excellence in their professions and to providing service to all of our students and our colleagues.

We are grateful tonight to be surrounded by so many friends and loved ones, who have shared our life's joys and supported us through life's challenges.

Finally, on this day in our nation, above all others, we remember that life is fragile, that love will always conquer evil, that we must celebrate our shared humanity, and that we trust in you to continue to bless our work and our lives."

I feel blessed and humbled to be part of the MWU team. I wish all of you the best in this new academic year.