2022 D1 Orientation

Iowa prides itself on building a vibrant and committed community. The spirit of collaboration and cooperation are a centerpiece of what makes the Hawkeye community special. Dentistry alumni, residents, and students regularly identify the warmness and comradery as part of what set their dental educational experience apart. The D1 Orientation is designed to be both educational and engaging, while cultivating community in both fun and vulnerable ways.

The friendships formed during first-year of dental school will last a life time, and orientation is the first step in forging those relationships. From speed-networking with all D1 students to performing group athletic feats—completing the challenge course, taking a running tour of campus, and so forth—students learn about each other and the unique persons that make up our excellent first-year class.

One of the most powerful signs that these new Hawkeyes will continue building our Hawkeye community is the classmate shout outs. Students submitted emails to the Admissions Office acknowledging individual classmates for what they had done. The responses poured in and they continue to pour in, with every student being acknowledged at least once.

In one of the more recent shout outs, a student sent an email to the Admission Office about a classmate who went above and beyond and prepared a lasagna for her family. Hawkeye means family!

From meeting the people they will need to know to learning about all that campus offers all in a collegial and friendly atmosphere, students also learned how to make the most of their dental education. The D1 students were separated into small groups and participated in a photo scavenger where the learned about the Dental Science Building, other campus facilities like the recreation center and student wellness center, and met faculty and staff who will be important in their educational journey.  Deans and dental administration faculty also took the groups out to local restaurants, and the new students learned about the various student organizations at the Student Organization Fair.

Keep showing that Hawkeye Spirit, and welcome to Iowa!