Academic Societies

The Academic Societies program began in the School of Medicine during the 1999-2000 academic year.  All current students are assigned to one of the seven Academic Societies. Each society is named after a past leader of the School of Medicine.

• Delp Society - Mark Meyer, M.D., Society Director/Academic Societies Coordinator
• Major Society - Andrea Ely, M.D., Society Director
• Murphy Society - Michael Kennedy, M.D., Society Director
• Orr Society - Tomas L. Griebling, M.D., Society Director
• Wahl Society - Isaac Opole, M.D., Society Director
• Wescoe Society - George Enders, Ph.D., Society Director
• Jager Society (Wichita campus) - Garold Minns, M.D., Society Director

The purpose of the Societies is to:

• Enhance student-faculty interaction;
• Enhance student-student interaction, particularly across classes;
• Provide a structure for student advising;
• Promote a sense of community for students and faculty; and
• Encourage the development of professional attitudes and behaviors among students.

Each Society has a Director and 30-35 faculty members who serve as student advisors. Each advisor works with one to two students from each of the four classes. Matriculating medical students are assigned to a Society during orientation week.

Students are matched with faculty advisors based upon interest to the extent that is possible. The mix of students from each of the four classes along with a skilled, experienced faculty advisor provides a forum for academic, personal, professional, and career development for students at all levels.

The Societies also sponsor academic (e.g.-invited speakers) and social gatherings (e.g. dinners) for students and faculty.

The Office of Student affairs maintains a web site entitled Medical Student Online Service (MED-SOS for short). This web site is designed as a source of information for faculty advisors and students on issues and programs that affect the academic, personal, professional, and career development of medical students.