WesternU welcomes new students

Western University of Health Sciences will welcome more than 1,100 new students at its annual Convocation and white coat ceremonies on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011 at the Ontario Convention Center, 2000 Convention Center Way East, Ontario, Calif.

Convocation begins at 8:30 a.m. in Exhibit Hall A/B, followed by individual white coat ceremonies for each college. All events are only open to students, their families and invited guests. For a complete list of activities, visit http://www.westernu.edu/students-new-welcome.

“It is with no small amount of excitement and anticipation that I welcome WesternU’s new students and their families to our annual Convocation ceremonies,” said WesternU President Philip Pumerantz, PhD. “By embarking on your professional journey with Western University of Health Sciences, you are making a commitment to excellence, and to caring for your fellows regardless of where life takes you. The call to such service is heard by many, but answered by only a few. I commend you for responding with energy and enthusiasm, and for embracing the challenges that lie ahead.”

Convocation is the traditional start of WesternU’s academic year. Another WesternU tradition is for new students to don a white coat for the first time, signifying their entry into the healing professions, and serving as a reminder of the powerful influence of the healer.

WesternU continues to increase its enrollment and its geographic reach. The incoming class is the largest in the university’s history. WesternU’s Convocation will follow the grand opening of COMP-Northwest in Lebanon, Oregon, on July 30, 2011, with about 100 students in the inaugural class.