Lawrence University celebrated the official opening of the Pre-Health Commons, a new space designed to allow students to explore potential careers in the health professions. The Pre-Health Commons provides a deeper connection with the Fox Cities community and helps address the growing demand for healthcare professionals.
The Pre-Health Commons is the newest phase in a 180,000-square-foot healthcare, housing, retail, and mixed-use community hub within Fox Commons. The space immerses students in their studies and empowers them with hands-on learning opportunities and mentorships with adjoining residents, Mosaic Family Health, and Prevea Health. The hub is designed to strengthen student connections with classmates, professors, and the surrounding community.
Neuroscience major, Taylor Svoboda, Class of 2026
A Living-Learning Environment
"The opening of the Pre-Health Commons celebrates the culmination of a shared vision and the power of partnership. Together, we've built a state-of-the-art space for students to learn and collaborate, to develop new skills and explore new careers, and forge deeper connections with the local community," said Lawrence University President Laurie A. Carter.
The Pre-Health Commons is a part of a vibrant community, and it will help facilitate hands-on learning opportunities with leading healthcare professionals for students to gain insight and experience within the healthcare profession.
The Pre-Health Commons houses 86 students, with room for 88 in two-, three-, and four-bedroom single-occupancy apartments. Lawrence University's apartment-style living will foster independence and strengthen students' connection to downtown Appleton while preparing students for life after Lawrence.
In addition to their apartments, the Pre-Health Commons will spur academic development and personal growth for students by providing direct access to a collaborative, hands-on learning environment. Students can socialize on the rooftop patio, rejuvenate themselves in the mind spa, and experiment in the demonstration and test kitchen. The Pre-Health Commons is equipped with student lounge spaces and collaborative study rooms.
Nutrition is a cornerstone of good health and a powerful tool in preventative medicine. The test kitchen will help students broaden their knowledge of diet and healthy eating. It will create the foundation for their understanding of the therapeutic benefits of food and the practical application of diet and nutrition for improved health and well-being. The space features multiple high-resolution cameras for in-person and virtual presentations, a work area, and state-of-the-art equipment.
“When Lawrence was considering making campus improvements or forming a new partnership, the most important factor in the decision-making process was how those improvements would help better serve students, now and in their lives after Lawrence,” said President Carter.
(From left to right) Neuroscience major, Taylor Svoboda, Class of 2026; Raymond H. Herzog Professor of Science and Professor of Biology, Beth De Stasio; President Laurie Carter.
The Pre-Health Commons partnership is a tangible expression of that intention to connect students and the community. But it didn’t just spring to life fully formed. It took a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication from many different people to make it happen. Dr. Elizabeth Ann De Stasio was among those amazing contributors.
Beth is a Raymond H. Herzog Professor of Science and Professor of Biology. She has been instrumental in shaping the vision for the Pre-Health Commons, and her collaboration helped bring the vision to life.
“It represents an exciting extension of our work at Lawrence, with and for students, that of career exploration and discernment," said De Stasio. "We aspire to help each student explore multiple options for their future, and we want to facilitate a process of serious self-reflection as well. And to that end, this space will be hosting things such as annual networking events with Fox Valley physicians, physical therapists, public health professionals, and mental health professionals to allow students to compare their values and strengths to those of the professionals so they can see what it is they wish to explore further."
A project like this truly illustrates how a liberal arts education empowers individuals with creative and critical thinking abilities to solve problems for the benefit of the common good.