Photos: Students get a touch of class as school year begins
Published on Monday, August 18, 2025
Photos By: Joe Ellis, Jay Ferchaud and Melanie Thortis/ UMMC Photography
During the first weeks of August, students in the various campus schools were welcomed back – or for the first time – to the Medical Center. First-year students in particular enjoyed such activities as Family Day, tours and other back-to-school events – entertaining and informative preludes to the first day of classes.
Michelle Zhang, new radiological sciences student, receives her white coat from Dr. Lee Brown, left, and Dr. Jay Garner, dean of the School of Health Related Professions, during orientation week.Accelerated BSN students Jered Cade, left, Elizabeth Martin and their classmates were treated to a back-to-school breakfast to welcome the new academic year.
Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, interim dean of the School of Dentistry, participates in a dunking booth as part of back-to-school festivities.
School of Medicine first-year students Kasia Williams and Alexisa Woodard pose for the camera during orientation.
Zack Gray, associate professor in the Radiological Sciences program, gives new student Chanel Bui and classmates Paige Phillips and Anna Nelson a taste of what they will learn during classes to come.
Chalsey Rowan takes a photo of her fiancé, Nelson Felder, an incoming first-year dental student, in his new simulator workspace.Second-year medical students, from left, Sara Matheson, Andrea Bonner and Anna Katherine Herrington Thomas welcome new medical students to campus.Nursing students fill an auditorium as the new academic year begins. Second-year medical students Nellie Massey and Reid Bain welcome the first-year medical students.Stacy Vance, left, professor of medical laboratory sciences, gives new students Ezell Fulton and Juantaya Stewart a quick glance at some of the things they will be learning in their upcoming courses.Second-year medical student Skip Corales welcomes new students on their first day of medical school.
Dr. Elizabeth Carr, chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene, anticipates student's perfect pitch in the dunking booth.
Nursing student Jaela Evans smiles with excitement at the start of classes.
First-year medical students Mallory Williams, left, and Madeleine Brignac lead a group of new students into the building on their first day.
Seniors at the UMMC School of Nursing got a special welcome.Dr. Mike McMullan, School of Medicine associate dean for students affairs, greets students at orientation.Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the UMMC School of Medicine, is introduced to first-year students during orientation.
