Western University of Health Sciences Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Cake for 1,000

Western University of Health Sciences’ students, faculty and staff will

celebrate the institution’s 25th anniversary with cake for 1,000 at 12:30

p.m., Tuesday, September 3.

Founding President Philip Pumerantz, PhD, first came to Second Street the

day after Labor Day in 1977. The university has celebrated that Tuesday

after the holiday as its birthday ever since.

Much has changed over the quarter century. From a rented office below a

piano school, the university has grown to encompass 22 acres along Second

Street between Gibbs Street on the west and Towne Avenue on the east.

Thirty-six students started classes in October 1978 and now more than

1,400 students work toward post-baccalaureate degrees in osteopathic

medicine, pharmacy, advanced practice nursing, physician assistant studies

and physical therapy. Beginning in fall 2003, the university will welcome

students into its fifth college, the College of Veterinary Medicine – the

first and only college of veterinary medicine in Southern California.

Cake will be served beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the Student Commons in the

Health Professions Center on the east end of campus. In keeping with the

spirit of the event, the first piece will be cut by Nadir Khan, PhD,

professor of anatomy, the longest-serving faculty member — 24 years — on

campus.

For more information, contact the university’s Special Events Department

at (909) 469-5379.