Spring Commencement Brings Graduates, Families Together for Celebration

By 
Joe Lang

Overcast skies failed to dampen the spirits of graduates and supporters at Pacific University's 2015 spring commencement exercises on May 16 at Hanson Stadium in Forest Grove.

In all, 325 undergraduate and 305 graduate students participated in their respective ceremonies. Among the supporters was 102 year-old Mrs. Thomas K. Miles, mother of current trustee Dick Miles and the late Tom Miles, Jr. '64, the namesake for the university's stage theater and an endowed scholarship for theatre and performing arts students.

“Commencement is a moment to pause and celebrate,” President Lesley Hallick told the bachelor’s candidates during the morning ceremony. “What you have learned and what you have experienced here will change the course of the rest of your life. The critical variable going forward is what you do with this recognition and the responsibility that it signifies.”

Among them was Eddie Carrillo, a first-generation college student from Milpitas, Calif., whose entire extended family of 25 members were on hand to watch him become the family's first college graduate. A sociology major, Carrillo excelled academically, and as a football player and president of the university's student-athlete advisory committee. He has been accepted into Pacific's School of Professional Psychology for graduate studies and will begin later this year.

Valedictorian Rylie Ellison, a chemistry major from Bellingham, Wash., echoed Hallick's advice. "Never be complacent," she said. "Take this time to figure out what really matters to you and try your best to do that. A career you don’t care about is not worth pursuing. If you don’t like what you are doing, you can always change it." Ellison will now pursue a doctorate in environmental chemistry at the University of California, Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Olin Blackmore, president of the university's undergraduate student senate, recalled both his personal growth and the adversity he overcame during his four years at Pacific. "I'm leaving home today," he said during the keynote address. "While it may seem melancholy at first, there's always a more positive way to look at things. It's all about forward motion, about change."

Blackmore reminded his classmates to take nothing for granted. He remembered Kiden Dilla and Ayan Osman, who lost their lives in a tragic auto accident last year, and professor Lorelle Browning, who passed away unexpectedly last month.

"Life is so very fragile," he said. "Tell those around you that you love them while you can."

Blackmore thanked the class of 2015 "for bringing your own fire and passion to this constant learning environment that is present every second of every day at this school." He added, "Someone who I admire very much here once told me, 'if you work hard and are kind, amazing things will happen to you.' That applies to every single person here. So let's go out and do amazing things for our world."

Those attending the afternoon ceremony witnessed the graduation of the College of Business' first advanced degree cohort. Nine students received their diplomas and hoods for earning a master of science in finance degree.

Joining them were 69 College of Education students, including 34 candidates for a master's degree in speech-language pathology and 29 for a master's in teaching.

The School of Pharmacy recognized 92 doctoral degree candidates, while the School Physical Therapy did the same for 42 of its own, in addition to eight more students pursuing a master's of athletic training degree.

The College of Optometry concluded spring commencement by presenting 88 candidates for a doctor of optometry degree.

Prior to the presentation of diplomas, the university honored two individuals for a lifetime of contributions to the optometric profession and vision healthcare.

President Hallick conferred an honorary doctorate of science degree to Dietmar Kuemmel, retired dean and professor of the augenoptik department at Aalen University in Germany.

Kuemmel has been a visionary leader in improving the study of optometric science in Europe and transforming the standard of care for people with vision conditions there.

In 1999, Kuemmel spearheaded an interinstitutional collaboration between Aalen and Pacific, beginning with a pediatric optometry course at Aalen taught by Pacific faculty, and a visiting scholar program for Aalen students. A special master’s degree program with courses taught by Pacific faculty emerged in 2001 under Kuemmel’s direction. And, a sports vision course within the program has helped it create opportunities for more than 130 practicing optometrists in countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and South Korea.

"It is a great day for myself, my family and my university," Kuemmel said. "This degree is not only an honor for me, but for all of my colleagues and all involved in this wonderful partnership, including those at Pacific University."

Pacific also honored one of its own in bestowing the Kamelia Massih Distinguished Prize for an Optometrist on former Optometry dean, professor and university provost Willard Bleything '51, OD '52.

The honor is named after the late Kamelia Massih, a 1985 Pacific University College of Optometry alumna who passed away in March 2010 following a three-year battle with cancer. Massih served her patients and members of her community with a level of compassion and care that exemplifies Pacific University College of Optometry alumni.

Bleything officially retired from Pacific in 2003 as Optometry Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, in Residence, after a long career stretching back to the 1950s as a faculty member and later dean of the School. He served in the US Air Force, eventually becoming optometric consultant to the Surgeon General, until his retirement from the military in 1986. Bleything also had a private practice for 16 years specializing in pediatric optometry. In 2002, the World Council of Optometry named him International Optometrist of the Year. Along with serving as the president of his state optometric association, he has been a state board president and president of the schools and colleges of optometry.

“I'm really pleased to be here in this role," Bleything said. "I've been here in many roles, but this is my favorite so far. Kamelia is a student I knew, and she really made a positive difference in the lives of so many. Kamelia had a keen affinity for this university and she and I shared this common relationship. I was her dean, and she won me over with her smile and demeanor. She would light up the entire room. I give my personal thanks to all who made this experience possible for me today."

Distinguished graduates of both ceremonies were honored in the days prior to commencement with awards presented by their respective academic programs as well as other university departments. Following is a list of the honorees.

Bachelor’s Degree Candidate Award Honorees

  • Valedictorian - Rylie Ellison
  • Fulbright Award - Carlos Esparza
  • Murdock Research Scholar Award - Megan Chalupsky
  • American Association of University Women - Dailey Koga
  • Center for Civic Engagement - Kristen Kawachi
  • Center for Gender Equity - Aymie Agena, Noelle Hall.
  • Confederation in Oregon for Language Teaching French - Jessica Gates; German - Lukas Breen; Japanese - Jocelyn Losh; Spanish: Olivia Vance.
  • College of Arts & Sciences Dean of Students Award - Olin Blackmore, Colby Yamamoto.
  • Dean’s Academic Achievement Award - Sierra Studnick, Megan Chalupsky, Emily Jaeger.
  • Female Athlete of the Year - Amanda Clark
  • Male Athlete of the Year - Budweiser Hawkins III
  • Mary Fehrs Award in Gender and Sexuality Studies - Kelly Bjordahl
  • Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants Outstanding Accounting Student - Namitha Lukose
  • Outstanding Contribution to Student Life - Sterling Bax, Alexandrea Beh, Makaela Kilsdonk, Claire Ramaley, Bridgette Rodrigues.
  • Outstanding Instrumentalist - Nicholas Greenwood
  • Outstanding Senior, Art History - Shaun Keylock
  • Outstanding Seniors, Biology - Dustin Paradis, Mary Roberts, Thomas Yates.
  • Outstanding Senior, Business Administration - Kindra McDougall
  • Outstanding Senior, Chemistry - Rylie Ellison
  • Outstanding Senior, Computer Science - Alexandrea Beh
  • Outstanding Senior, Creative Writing - Victoria Hampton
  • Outstanding Senior, Dance - Olin Blackmore, Shaun Keylock, Sarah Whitehead.
  • Outstanding Senior, Economics - Dailey Koga
  • Outstanding Seniors, English Literature - Haley Bedell, Sarah Moore.
  • Outstanding Seniors, Exercise Science - Jualani Ostrom, Katherine Porter.
  • Outstanding Senior, Finance - Austin White
  • Outstanding Senior, Fine and Performing Arts - Olin Blackmore
  • Outstanding Senior, Humanities - Victoria Hampton
  • Outstanding Senior, Marketing - Michelle Kostakos
  • Outstanding Seniors, Mathematics - Blake Anthony, Brandon Harms.
  • Outstanding Senior, Media Arts - Victoria Hampton
  • Outstanding Senior, Music Education - Emilee Buchanan
  • Outstanding Senior, Natural Science - Alexandrea Beh
  • Outstanding Senior, Philosophy - Kerri Farrow
  • Outstanding Seniors, Physics - Blake Anthony, Brandon Harms.
  • Outstanding Seniors, Psychology - Tess McShane, Ian Scott.
  • Outstanding Senior, Political Science - Matthew Yasuoka
  • Outstanding Senior, Social Sciences - Sierra Studnick
  • Outstanding Senior, Speech and Debate - Matthew Yasuoka
  • Outstanding Senior, Studio Arts - Michael Zane
  • Outstanding Vocalists - Eric Asakawa, Ashley Stig.
  • Peggy Cadd Award for Service in the Arts - Evangeline Van
  • Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate - Kylee Oshiro

Professional Degree Candidate Award Honorees

Valedictorians

  • Athletic Training - Christina Ippolito
  • School of Physical Therapy - Kristen Delsigne
  • College of Optometry - Nathan Lebsock, Kasie Mix.

School Of Pharmacy

  • Dean’s Excellence Award - Simarjit Batth
  • Professionalism Award - William Hanson, Scott Rouse.
  • Leadership Award - Cassandra Abeyta, Irene Catalan, Anthony Haberstroh, Jenna Milazzo.
  • Community Service Award - Markisha Bess, Jazz Ferreira, Celeste Rizzo, Alison Sigler, Michael Ta.
  • Boxer Spirit Award - Julius Gamo, Bolus Hashimee, Veronica Lapinsky, Sandy Mach
  • School of Pharmacy Ambassador Award - Brittany Cummiskey, Lindsay Elmore, Ryan Kele, Duy Nguyen.
  • Facts and Comparisons/Lexi-Comp Excellence in Clinical Communication Award - Thomas Brazeal
  • Lexi-Comp Excellence in Drug Information Award - Il-Jea Bahk
  • Eli Lilly Excellence in Diabetes Care Award - Gregory Battles
  • The Merck Award - Kristie Dearman, Fernando Estrada.
  • Mylan Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Pharmacy Award - Cesar Rodriguez-Braham
  • Natural Products Database Award - Michael Garcia
  • Pharmacy Lifelong Learner Award - Brian Price, Antoine Zogbi.
  • Pfizer Excellence in Patient Care Award - Amy Jay
  • Excellence in Acute Care Award - Courtney Lujan
  • Excellence in Ambulatory Care Award - Lafe Wiltbank

School Of Physical Therapy

  • Community Service Award - Lauren Wagner
  • Director’s Award - Joseph Oelfke
  • Director’s Award, Athletic Training - Sarah Troicky
  • Outstanding Service to the School of Physical Therapy - Caleb Werner

College Of Optometry

  • Alcon Clinical Case Report Award - Sheila Morrison
  • AOF/Vistakon Award of Excellence in CL Patient Care - Charissa Young
  • Brian Lee Hill Memorial Award - Matthew Polster
  • BSK Chapter Award for Exceptional Research - Vladimir Stovbyr
  • BSK Silver Medal Award - Nathan Lebsock, Kasie Mix
  • COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy - Melissa Schank
  • Dean’s Award - Kasie Mix
  • Designs for Vision William Feinbloom Low Vision Award - John Creger
  • Donald A. Bybee Memorial Award for Vision Therapy - Alexandra Bavasi
  • Eschenbach Low Vision Award - Karl Jepson
  • GP Lens Institute GP CL Clinical Excellence Award - Sheila Morrison
  • Marchon Practice Management Award - Michael Olma
  • NBEO Part 1 Highest Score - Matthew Polster
  • Pacific University Outstanding Clinician Award - Keevn Otte
  • PUCO Private Practice Scholarship - Alexandra Bavasi, Krista Letzring.
  • Tole Greenstein Award - Charlotte Forgie, Travis Turgeon.
  • Optometric Physicians of Washington Student Member of the Year Award - Andrea Morton

Alumni Association Graduate and Professional Schools & Colleges Outstanding Graduates

  • School of Communication Sciences and Disorders - Sara Kolbet
  • School of Pharmacy - Janelle Rychlick
  • School of Physical Therapy - Evan Liu
  • College of Optometry - Colin Kinjo

Other Awards

  • Honorary Doctor of Science Degree - Dietmar Kuemmel (Aalen University)
  • Kamelia Massih Prize For Distinguished Optometrist - Dr. Willard B. Bleything ’51, OD ’52
     
Monday, May 18, 2015