Dean’s Cup and Learning Societies: Friendly Competition and Camaraderie
During orientation week in August, MD program students participated in the annual Dean’s Cup, a friendly competition between the seven learning societies students are placed in at the start of their medical training. The societies give students the opportunity to build relationships with their peers from day one. Each society is named after a famous historical Philadelphia or Reading, Pennsylvania, landmark, including:
- Athenaeum
- Liberty Bell
- Physick House
- Rocky Statue
- Reading Terminal
- Eakins House
- Pagoda
The Dean’s Cup tradition fosters strong connections both within and across the learning societies by bringing first-year medical students together for fun, camaraderie and community building. Students participate in field day activities including relay races, lawn games and tug of war.
“I like the learning societies because they bring students together throughout the year for things like the Dean’s Cup, service events and social events. They help unite students that may otherwise have nothing in common,” says Kaitlin Brannon, MD ’28, who is president of the Rocky Statue Society. “There is always room for a little friendly competition. This year, Rocky took home the cup for the second year in a row!”
By fostering community and collaboration, learning societies enrich the student life experience beyond the classroom. As the newest class embarks on their medical careers, these traditions help them to adapt, build relationships and give back.
Category: News & Events
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