Pictured: Students, faculty and staff dance the Hustle at the 150th-anniversary kick-off and ethnic fair on Jan. 19.
The rich history of the Wayne State University School of Medicine was celebrated Friday in front of a packed audience of students, faculty and staff at the school's 150th-anniversary kickoff, just one aspect of the evening's festivities - making the annual Ethnic Fair held in the Scott Hall cafeteria a night to remember.
"It celebrates what we're famous for - the diversity of our student body," said School of Medicine Dean Jack D. Sobel, M.D., greeting the crowd after a performance by The Ultrasounds a cappella group. "The anniversary is worth shouting about - 150 years of caring for the residents of Detroit and southeast Michigan."
The evening, a tribute to culture and the Warrior Strong spirit, featured a variety of ethnic cuisine, a cake-cutting ceremony with the student senate presidents of the four medical classes, plus Bollywood dancing, Latin ballroom performances, music by Music in Medicine, traditional Friday night Jewish greetings, a group dance of the Hustle led by the Black Medical Association and more.
Videos featuring students, faculty and staff of the past and present featuring the school's ongoing "I am Warrior Medicine" campaign played on monitors throughout the event.
"We've had many accomplishments, and they continue," Dr. Sobel said. "A Warrior spirit will drive the process."
The event was co-organized by the Board of Student Organizations, the Office of Student Affairs and the School of Medicine 150th Anniversary Task Force Planning Committee.
The Wayne State University School of Medicine was founded in 1868 as the Detroit Medical College. Its sesquicentennial anniversary coincides with Wayne State University's overall sesquicentennial celebration. For more information about the School of Medicine's history, including upcoming sesquicentennial events at the medical school, a historic timeline, toolkit, videos, memories and testimonials from faculty, alumni, staff and students, and more, visit www.med.wayne.edu/history.
For information about the WSU sesquicentennial, visit 150.wayne.edu.