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Davis School Welcomes New and Returning Students

By Athan Bezaitis

Over 30 new gerontology students passed through the USC Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center arches for the first time at the 2007 Davis School Student Orientation Ceremonies on the morning of August 23.   

New Gerontology students Kayleigh Duffy and Kristen Childs

Associate Dean Eileen Crimmins, Edna M. Jones Professor of Gerontology, kicked off the celebration in the Davis School Auditorium by welcoming new and returning students.  About 50 attended, not including several distance learning students who tuned-in online. 

“You’ve all made a smart decision to study an up-and-coming field at the top-notch institution in the world,” Crimmins said in her introductory remarks.  “As a multidisciplinary school, you’ll be obligated to stay on top of research in the fields of biology, psychology and sociology as it relates to aging.” 

Assistant Dean Maria Henke was pleased with the turnout and the increased student enrollment over last year.  Her office reports over 600 new inquiries, a 43 percent increase in graduate school applications and a 1,025 percent increase in undergraduate applications. 

From left to right: Prof. Caleb Finch, Prof. Kathleen Wilber, staff writer Athan Bezaitis and student Whitney Fountas.

“Our undergraduate enrollment tripled this year,” Henke said. 

For faculty, staff and returning students, the day was an opportunity to meet the new cohorts. 

“It was great to meet all my new colleagues and hear their reasons for going into gerontology,” said Ph.D. student Zachary Gassoumis.  “In spite of their varied backgrounds they all have a deep concern for the welfare of elders.” 

After introductory remarks and presentations from student services, information systems, the development office and other in-house entities, students were treated to a barbecue lunch featuring ribs, chicken and staff member Trevor Nelson’s famous garden burgers.  

“I’ve never seen so many vegetarians,” Nelson quipped, as he flipped a vegan burger.  

Following lunch, an intense game of gerontology trivia ensued. 

“I did my best Pat Sajak,” said Jim deVera, student services advisor, who hosted the gerontology trivia contest.  “The new students did well to answer a few of the questions, but it was just a taste of what they’ll be exposed to over the next few years.” 

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After introductory remarks and presentations from student services, information systems, the development office and other in-house entities, students were treated to a barbecue lunch.

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