Another academic year has arrived

The morning and evenings are both considerably cooler. The leaves are starting to turn brown, and the Mustang student-athletes are back on campus preparing for the Fall sports schedule. All of these factors are  blue ribbon indicators that the 2012-13 academic year is just around the corner.

Next week we will welcome our first year classes to the Faculty and to one of our six Schools or our Interdisciplinary Health and Rehabilitation. Sciences Graduate Program.

What an exciting time - and it remains an honour and privilege to serve as the Dean of this progressive Faculty - one that attracts some of Western's best and brightest. 

Our student leaders, staff and faculty members have prepared outstanding orientation programs to welcome and quickly orient our new students to the Faculty. I have the pleasure of welcoming the new students to the campus and our Faculty.

I have the chance to welcome the students and tell them about the exceptional experience that lies before them. I will thank them for choosing Western and I know that each and every one of them had other attractive options given their academic averages. I will introduce our extraordinary student leaders and challenge the new students to also be leaders in our progressive, caring Faculty. I will introduce my colleagues who join my at these events - and tell the students how  pleased and privileged we all are for having the chance who work with such a talented and committed group of professors and staff members. Finally - I will share some of my observations of students who have excelled in higher education and maximized their experience. I will tell them that:

• They are in a great Faculty and on the campus of a fine university. I ask them to never underestimate or take for granted the educational and growth  opportunities that they have in front of them.
• I will remind them of the importance of getting off to a good start. I will tell them to work hard, make good choices, and stay on top of readings and assignments.
• I will ask them to pledge to do their very best in everything that they do student, and later, alumnus of this great university. I will remind them that they  have the intelligence needed to succeed in university. I will remind them that discipline and work ethic will determine their accent from this point forward.
• I will suggest that they make a pledge to attend each class, each day, and sit in the first three rows of each class they attend. This will facilitate - but not guarantee, greater levels of engagement. Following this - I ask them to have the confidence and hunger to participate in class discussions. I will encourage them to ask questions, probe, and in doing so, expand their knowledge base.
• I will recommend that they get to know their professors and teaching assistants - and I will ensure that they understand that these colleagues are committed to helping them learn and grow.
• I will encourage them to get involved - in student government, campus recreation and/or one of the many clubs and groups on campus. Universities offer so many co-curricular activities. I will ask them to get, and stay involved. As well - I will invite them to catch our unique Mustang pride by attending our games and competitions.
• I will tell them to be open to meeting new people who are just as anxious and nervous about the adjustment to university life as they are. I will remind them that while we will always have our high school friends, I remind the entering students that they may not have met their best friend yet.
• I will ask them to keep in touch with their parents who - like my wife and I, share a sense of immense pride as our children head off to university - but miss their sons and daughters more than words can describe. I will tell them that a short text message, Skype or phone chat will comfort their parents and help them also deal with the adjustment.
• And finally, I will invite the students to have fun.

This is an exciting time in their lives of our students and their time with us will go by so fast. I will remind them to savour every moment.

I will then close with a final welcome and I will wish them well in this exciting journey.

Welcoming the students is one of the highlights of my year.  In fact, I can't wait to get in front of this year's group.

Yours in Health Sciences,

Jim

Comments

[Lyna Xu]

Hello,dear dean:
We are a chinese school of nursing in Beijing. Many nurses want to go to your shool to learn some nursing experiences and advanced medical skills. If your school recruit chinese nurse, we can cooperate in this project.Thank you so much.
Lyna:861085289532 13691466053

[Lyna Xu]

Hello,dear dean:
so beautiful article. I am a chinese training center for a nursing school. Many nurse want to go to your school to learn some nursing experiences and your advanced teaching skills.If your school need chinese interns in nursing,we can cooperate with you school.
Miss Lyna:
861085289532 13691466053