UC President and Chancellor Welcome Incoming Class

Several hundred incoming students gathered last week in the Millberry Union Gym for a warm welcome to UCSF by Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS, as well as special guest UC President Janet Napolitano.

“You’re going to get a training that is superb in all categories related to the health sciences. UCSF is part of a huge health science education enterprise we have through the UC,” Napolitano said at the Sept. 29 Chancellor's Reception and New Student Orientation Fair.

“We train half of the doctors in California; we train health professionals to serve throughout our state, from rural areas to urban areas, from north to south from east to west – including somewhat new programs in places like the Central Valley that have historically suffered from lack of adequate health care.”

The annual event is the main welcome event, bringing together incoming students in all professional and graduate students for a fun party and opportunity to learn more about campus organizations and services. The gym was festooned in blue and decorated with a bright UCSF banner. A DJ played music while enthusiastic students mingled and enjoyed refreshments.

Napolitano congratulated students on their acceptance and welcomed them to UCSF.  She then handed over the microphone to Hawgood, who announced several raffle winners who received prizes including local gift certificates and UCSF sweatshirts. Napolitano and Hawgood then circulated among the crowd, and posed for a handful of selfies with exuberant new students.

Some faculty members and several deans also showed up to meet the incoming class, including John Featherstone, MSc, PhD, dean of the School of Dentistry; David Vlahov, RN, PhD, dean of the School of Nursing; and Elizabeth Watkins, PhD, dean of the Graduate Division and vice chancellor for Student Academic Affairs.

Photos by Cindy Chew