FULLERTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU), an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution in Fullerton, California formally introduces Julie A. Schornack, OD, MEd as its next president to lead the university following a highly attended inauguration event Friday, April 28, 2023. The event welcomed over 200 guests including faculty, students, local dignitaries, family and friends to honor the university’s second president. The ceremony was followed by a 10-year anniversary celebration at the MBKU campus, which commemorated the milestone of the university’s expansion and name change in 2013.
Dr. Schornack is not only the first-ever female president at MBKU, but also a long-standing faculty member of over 35 years. During her time with the university, she has witnessed first-hand many impressive graduating classes, worked with extraordinary faculty and influenced a number of education and industry developments that have positively impacted the school’s trajectory. She plans to harness her experience and knowledge to carry out a vision focused on people, programs and places. These key areas of focus will support admissions and enrollment, identifying ways to continue to curb the high cost of education while still delivering a premier healthcare education and improving campus infrastructure. Her vision takes inspiration from the past and centers around excitement for the future.
“Sometimes entry into leadership has everything to do with timing,” said Dr. Schornack during her speech. “Although I initially downplayed the significance of being the first woman president, I now would like to embrace the importance. You know who it is important to? It is important to my daughters and to your daughters, and to every student at the university as an example of what they can be. So being the first female president is something that I am proud of, and I wear the cloak with great honor.”
The event included a traditional ceremony welcoming the university’s president into her new position. Members of the Board of Trustees, faculty, student body and close colleagues stood by Dr. Schornack’s side in unity to highlight her remarkable journey, service and leadership in a manner that touched each and every guest in the room.
“President Schornack and I have known each other for many years, and I have always admired her passion for overseeing fine details, while at the same time, keeping focused on the bigger picture and how it all fits together,” said keynote speaker Sally Dillahay, OD, EdD and chief medical officer at ClinTrialSolutions, LLC. “I have watched Dr. Schornack oversee the thousands of details needed for an educational community focused on excellence in patient care, while keeping her eyes on the bigger purpose of collaboration across multiple disciplines, something that is no small feat in today’s complex and ever-changing world of clinical education.”
Following the ceremony, guests gathered on campus to celebrate Dr. Schornack and recognize the 10-year anniversary of MBKU becoming a university and changing its name from the Southern California College of Optometry to reflect its expansion to also include a school of Physician Assistant Studies and College of Pharmacy.
To watch the full inauguration ceremony, visit: https://ketchum.edu/livestream. To learn about the university and its vision for the future, visit: https://www.ketchum.edu/.
About Marshall B. Ketchum University: Marshall B. Ketchum University (MBKU) is an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution located in Fullerton, California proudly preparing the healthcare leaders of the future through immersive and rigorous academic programs that teach, train and graduate tomorrow’s clinical experts. Established in 1904, more than 100 years later, MBKU today includes three primary schools: 1) Southern California College of Optometry which offers a Doctor of Optometry and a Master of Science in Vision Science degree; 2) its School of Physician Assistant Studies which awards a Master of Medical Science degree; and 3) its College of Pharmacy, that offers a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. With a nationally recognized faculty known for offering the highest level of expertise and experience in clinical education and training; a commitment to introducing students to the latest in technology, diagnosis and treatment; as well as small class sizes and a tight knit family feel—MBKU graduates become part of a diverse and inclusive alumni group that includes some of the healthcare industry’s most accomplished researchers, clinicians and teachers. MBKU also provides personalized care to the communities it serves from two state-of-the-art optometry clinics offering comprehensive vision care for all ages, from infants to seniors. The wide array of services include: cornea and contact lenses, pediatric vision, ocular disease treatment and consultation, vision therapy, low vision and more. More services can be found online at University Eye Center at Ketchum Health Anaheim and University Eye Center at Ketchum Health Los Angeles. Accessible primary care medical services are also available at its family medicine clinic, Ketchum Health. To learn more about MBKU’s programs or public clinics visit, https://www.ketchum.edu/ or follow on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Editor’s Note: Media interested in speaking to expert staff, faculty and leadership of Marshall B. Ketchum University should email ketchum@beyondfifteen.com to facilitate interviews.
