Commencement! - Western University of Health Sciences

Message from the President
This Summer 2013 edition of WesternU View focuses on our most
recent Commencement, which is a wonderfully exciting and rewarding
event for all of us at the University.
Commencement 2013 will always hold a special place in the history of
WesternU, for it marked the first time that students from three of our
newest colleges – Dental Medicine, Optometry and Podiatric Medicine
– walked across the stage at Pasadena Civic Auditorium and received
their diplomas. The new colleges graduated a total of 160 students on
May 15 -- 73 from Optometry, 64 from Dental Medicine, and 23 from
Podiatric Medicine.
Activist and actor Edward James Olmos, whose own family has been affected by diabetes and other
health issues, was the keynote speaker for this inaugural commencement ceremony. He urged the
graduates to help as many people as possible, regardless of their circumstances.
“There will be some who cannot pay you. Treat them. There will be people who need hospitals. Go
find them. Pay it back by giving of yourself. We need saints out here in today's world, more than
ever,” he said.
Olmos’ stirring words once again reminded me of how important the teaching, learning and
community service being performed at WesternU is to the world. As you peruse the pages of
WesternU View, you’ll see how the commitment to healing our fellows plays out across campus and
in our communities, and how Commencement is not so much an ending as it is the beginning of a
life of service to others.
I know you’ll join me in celebrating not only our new graduates, but all who serve as WesternU’s
ambassadors to the world.
Philip Pumerantz, PhD
WesternU View Summer 2013 3