Latest Crop of Educators, Optometrists and Health Practitioners Graduate from Pacific
The newest crop of educators and healthcare practitioners graduated from Pacific University on Saturday, May 17 during the afternoon ceremony of the institution's spring commencement exercises.
Among the graduates were 33 students that comprised the initial cohort of the university's master of speech-language pathology degree. The two-year program began in August 2012 as part of the College of Education's School of Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Thirty-seven additional College of Education students from the School of Teaching & Learning graduated with either a master's degree in teaching or education.
From the College of Health Professions, 100 School of Pharmacy students marched to be hooded and receive their diplomas. The newly minted pharmacists followed 22 graduates from the School of Occupational Therapy, and were followed by 44 new alumni graduating from the college's School of Physical Therapy.
Nearly 90 students from the university's College of Optometry graduated on Saturday to cap the proceedings. Earlier in the ceremony, the 87 new optometrists and other grads heard a brief, but inspiring message from fellow alumnus Kirk Smick, '66, OD '67, who received the annual Kamelia Massih Prize for a Distinguished Optometrist during the ceremony.
"On days like this I am reminded how, much of our future, and much of what happens to us, is the direct result of our making the right decision at the right time," Smick told the graduates.
"Just like I made the right decision to attend Pacific University 50 years ago, you all have made the same right decision, and it will pay rewards the rest of your life. Continue to make the right decisions and you'll go a long ways."
Professional Schools & College Awards
Valedictorian, School of Occupational Therapy - Janelle Jones
Valedictorian, School of Physical Therapy - Jacki Carter
Valedictorian, College of Optometry - Amber Jeannotte
School of Occupational Therapy Director’s Award - Hannah Frankamp
School of Pharmacy Dean’s Excellence Award - Blake Larson
School of Pharmacy Professionalism Award - Maricar Ebero, Pranesh Narayanaswami
School of Pharmacy Leadership Award - Christina Henry, James Huang, Blake Larson, Helen Lu
School of Pharmacy Community Service Award - Molly Devens, Eric Okazaki, Melina Wheeler
School of Pharmacy Boxer Spirit Award - Gianna Firpo, Rhea Flores, Lisa Carlson, Sarah-Jane Johnson
School of Pharmacy Ambassador Award - Kristine Malotte, Brian Tsai
School of Pharmacy: Facts and Comparisons/Lexi-Comp Excellence in Clinical Communication Award - Adam Shreve
School of Pharmacy: Lexi-Comp Excellence in Drug Information Award - Christopher Krey, Richard Lutz
School of Pharmacy: Eli Lilly Excellence in Diabetes Care Award - Nguyen Truong
School of Pharmacy: The Merck Award - Jason Melander, Robert Shannon
School of Pharmacy: Mylan Pharmaceuticals Excellence in Pharmacy Award - Bich Nguyen
School of Pharmacy: Natural Products Database Award - Tina Huynh
Pharmacy Lifelong Learner Award - Jeanie Paek, Jessica Weiner
School of Pharmacy: Pfizer Excellence in Patient Care Award - Carrie Bartel
School of Pharmacy Excellence in Acute Care Award - Jenelle Stinson
School of Pharmacy Excellence in Ambulatory Care Award - Madaline Fry
School of Physical Therapy Community Service Award - Dane Chambers
School of Physical Therapy Director's Award - Michael Olson
College of Optometry: Alcon Clinical Case Report Award - Shannon Currier
College of Optometry: AOF/Vistakon Award of Excellence in CL Patient Care - Kate Dalrymple
College of Optometry Brian Lee Hill Memorial Award - Mackenzie Macintyre III
College of Optometry: BSK Chapter Award for Exceptional Research - James Sharp
College of Optometry: BSK Silver Medal Award - Amber Jeanotte
College of Optometry: Canela Software Digital Acuity Award - Alison Edwards
College of Optometry: COVD Award for Excellence in Vision Therapy - Kari Smart
College of Optometry Dean’s Award - Warren Whitley
College of Optometry: Designs for Vision William Feinbloom Low Vision Award - Ben Cannon
College of Optometry Donald A. Bybee Memorial Award for Vision Therapy - Leigh Gongaware
College of Optometry: Eschenbach Low Vision Award - Crystal Thanos
College of Optometry: GP Lens Institute GP CL Clinical Excellence Award - Yen Dang
College of Optometry: Marchon Practice Management Award - Cameron Horch
College of Optometry: NBEO Part 1 Highest Score - Cameron Horch
College of Optometry Outstanding Clinician Award - Carli Lancaster
College of Optometry Private Practice Scholarship - Emily Bjore, Scott Irvine
College of Optometry Tole Greenstein Award - Timothy Moore
College of Optometry: Optometric Physicians of Washington Student Member of the Year Award - Kristen Lambert
Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate: School of Communication Sciences & Disorders - Sonja Miriello
Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate: School of Occupational Therapy - Johanka Stavenik ’11, Kelly Greathouse ’11.
Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate: School of Pharmacy - Lisa Carlson
Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate: School of Physical Therapy - Zachary Christopherson
Alumni Association Outstanding Graduate: College of Optometry - Chantel Galipeau