Veteran’s Class holds special ceremony honouring fallen comrades during Western’s Homecoming Weekend

Western University’s Medicine Class of 1950 also known as the Veteran’s Class will hold a special ceremony as part of their 65th anniversary during Homecoming 2015. With what has become a tradition during their reunion years, representatives from the class will return to the Medical Sciences Building on campus and pay tribute to their fallen comrades.

The Medicine Class of 1950 was comprised entirely of veterans, as a result of the Canadian Government’s Veterans Rehabilitation Act which offered veterans an opportunity to attend university with paid tuition in recognition of their service.

At Western, George Edward Hall, then the Dean of Medicine, and a veteran, reserved the entering class of 1945 entirely for veterans. As a result, in 1950, 93 World War II veterans graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, now the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

“The Veteran’s Class is a proud tradition at the School,” said Dr. Strong. “Men and women who served their country in World War II, returned home and continued serving their fellow citizens. They have a left a legacy for all students – one of outstanding academic achievement, commitment to communities across Canada and by helping to support current and future medical students with a bursary fund established in 1960.”

Londoner, and former orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Howard Cameron and former family doctor, Dr. Edward Roemmele, from Windsor will represent the Class at this year’s ceremony. The proceedings will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Medical Sciences Building on Western’s campus. Dr. Michael Strong, dean, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, will welcome attendees followed by the playing of The Last Post, and the reading of names of class members who have died in the past five years.

The Veteran’s Class 65th reunion is part of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry’s Homecoming celebrations. The full lineup of events include:

8:00 a.m. – Self-guided Historic Walking Tour

10:30 a.m. – The Dean’s Distinguished Lecture, featuring Bonnie Schmidt, PhD’93, President and Founder, Let’s Talk Science

5:00 p.m. – Golden Alumni Reception

6:00 p.m. – The Dean’s Gala

For more information, visit www.schulich.uwo.ca/homecoming.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tristan Joseph, Media Relations Officer, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, 519-661-2111 ext. 80387, c: 519-777-1573, tristan.joseph@schulich.uwo.ca

ABOUT WESTERN

Western delivers an academic experience second to none. Since 1878, The Western Experience has combined academic excellence with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social and cultural growth in order to better serve our communities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western attracts individuals with a broad worldview, seeking to study, influence and lead in the international community.

ABOUT THE SCHULICH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University is one of Canada’s preeminent medical and dental schools. Established in 1881, it was one of the founding schools of Western University and is known for being the birthplace of family medicine in Canada. For more than 130 years, the School has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and a passion for scientific discovery.

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