White Coats Inaugurate New Glendale Auditorium

Last Friday, the White Coat Ceremony for the 700+ first-year students on the Glendale Campus was held in the new Auditorium Building. And, when I say "new," I mean that this was literally the first event ever held in this impressive facility.

Photo: White coats await the students in the new Glendale Auditorium.

The ceremony is a symbolic rite of passage for students in the health professions, who learn about the history of the white coat and the greater meaning to their future patients and colleagues. Students from all 4 MWU colleges (Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Osteopathic Medicine, and Dental Medicine) participate together, with students being coated one-by-one from each college on the large stage. When they all have donned their new coats, they are led in reciting the Oath of Commitment by Dr. G. This year, the entire audience of more than 2,000 family and friends gave the students a standing ovation to celebrate their accomplishments. Afterwards a reception was held outside the venue, and students were able to take their parents and families on a tour of their new academic home.

As you can see somewhat from the photo, the new auditorium is huge! There are approximately 2,600 fixed seats with an additional 400 seats on the skirting area in front of the stage and the stage itself. In addition to the White Coat Ceremony, this facility will be the venue for graduation ceremonies beginning June 2009. We are so excited that our Glendale students will finally get to graduate on their own campus, with more than sufficient seating for their guests. When not in use for large ceremonies, the auditorium breaks down into five separate lecture halls with full AV support. Truly, this is a magnificent facility and a wonderful addition to our campus.

Congratulations to the first-year students on their White Coat Ceremony! We have great expectations of professionalism for all of you, and we know you are ready to make us proud during your tenure at MWU.