By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

Scott Lephart, PhD and Dean of the College of Health Sciences, looked out over the crowd and smiled.

“Today, we’re honoring the most important people in our College,” he said. “Our students.”

On Thursday, faculty, staff, students, friends and family came out to the Gatton Student Center to celebrate the achievements of the students in the College of Health Sciences.

“As I look around the room, I see the future of the health care profession,” Lephart said. “In more ways than one, you’ve taught us.”

Awards were then given for things like service, ambassadors and academics — and the students themselves were appreciative.

Savannah Jones, 25, will soon become a two-time graduate of the College of Health Sciences (Human Health Sciences and Physician Assistant Studies). She took home the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service.

“I’m very grateful — and surprised,” she said. “It’s exciting. But in a way, it’s also bittersweet because I’m graduating. There’s such a family environment here in the College, it feels like I just got started.”

Kenta Mizumoto is a 22-year-old first-year Athletic Training graduate student from Japan. He took home the award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Athletic Training.

“It’s really an honor to be recognized for your hard work,” he said. “Of course, I didn’t work hard to win an award — I did it to be a good athletic trainer. But it’s nice when your work is recognized.”

In all, more than 50 students were presented with awards.

“Students, this is your day to celebrate,” said Karen Badger, PhD, MSW, and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Education for the College. “You make us proud. We know, beyond a doubt, that the future of health care is in capable hands.”
 

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