When Terry Branstad, J.D., was appointed president of DMU in 2003, then-chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, Gil Bucholz, D.O.’58, gave him a mission to “raise the visibility, respect and recognition of Des Moines University, raise money for the University and manage and oversee the institution,” Gov. Branstad told faculty, staff and students in a special campus meeting on Oct. 16. “I have endeavored to never lose sight of that mission.”
Major accomplishments of the University under his leadership include:
- Total enrollment has grown from approximately 1,200 in 2003 to nearly 1,800 for the 2009-2010 academic year.
- Completion in March 2005 of the 150,000 square-foot Student Education Center, home of the University library, Wellness Center, large auditorium, numerous meeting rooms, the enrollment office, Matthew’s Bookstore, study areas, student and staff lounges and Summerfield’s Café.
- Students in the University’s three colleges continue to outperform their peers on professional board exams.
- DMU created new master of biomedical sciences and master of anatomy degree programs in 2007.
- In October, DMU became the first college/university in the country to achieve the “platinum well workplace” designation sponsored by the Wellness Council of America.
- Scholarship funds continue to grow, increasing from $1.1 million in 2005 to nearly $3 million in 2009.
- The University’s Iowa Simulation Center for Patient Safety and Clinical Skills has provided state-of-the-art training with highly lifelike medical mannequins to DMU students, residents, military medics and other care-givers since it was established in 2007.
- More than 130 DMU students have participated in global health service trips in 26 countries since the program begin in 2007.
