Orientation Week Rolls Out the Welcome Mat in Person

In his welcoming remarks to students during the University’s Orientation Week Aug. 16-20 at the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus, James Caldwell, OD ‘89, Resident ‘91, EdD, dean of Student Affairs, emphasized that if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that nothing is automatic or should be taken for granted. 

Last year for the first time, Orientation Week was a hybrid experience for students — mostly virtual with some on-campus elements of small groupings based on programs, practicing social distancing and mask-wearing rules established to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

But this year, everybody was back face-to-face and masked. 

“Being in front of the students and having all of us in the room together, just being able to look into their eyes felt almost normal,” said Dr. Caldwell. “Even though all of us had our faces covered with masks, you could see the smiles in the students’ eyes. I was filled with gratitude and clearly recognized that you can’t anything for granted. I was really in the moment.” 

Dr. Caldwell also shared with the students that as a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus, he was excited for them because he knew first-hand what was in store over the next few years of their education.

That message wasn’t lost on students. 

“Orientation Week really gives that sense of community and really makes you understand in your mind that I’m actually here, I’m actually a doctoral student and I’m really proud to be here,” said Charlene Caldwell ‘25OD (no relation to Dr. Caldwell), from San Antonio, Texas, who received even more of an introduction to PCO/Salus as a participant in the University’s Summer Enrichment Program a few weeks earlier. 

That is exactly the purpose of Orientation Week, to familiarize students with the standards of the University and their individual programs, as well as offer advice on making the most of their Salus experience. Orientation Week is designed to introduce students to important resources critical to their personal and academic success, as well as provide the opportunity to get to know faculty and fellow students. The Office of Admissions, in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs, helped organize and facilitate the schedule for the week. 

“I like that this is set up so that we have it in-person. I think it’s very essential, especially for us to get to know the rest of our class members as well as people in other programs,” said Jasmine Quintana ‘25OD, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. “I chose Salus because it’s a small school and I felt like it was student-oriented. I consider that invaluable in my educational career.” 

Salus welcomed more than 370 students to campus during Orientation Week, the most students that have been on campus since March 2020 when the University shut down due to the pandemic. 

Among the week’s events included campus tours, Student Council presentations, financial planning seminars, new student resource fair, Cultural Humility seminar, Professional Identity seminar and a trivia night. The week was capped off by White Coat Ceremonies for each of the Colleges.