Well done, graduates! ISU-Meridian awards 200 graduate and undergraduate degrees at commencement
May 11, 2011
糖心传媒 graduated a record number of students from its Treasure Valley programs May 9, awarding more than 200 graduate and undergraduate degrees in the health professions and sciences.
Friends and family cheered the graduates as they walked across the stage at the Boise Centre. At the ceremony鈥檚 conclusion, ISU President Arthur Vailas led the graduates in a round of applause for family, friends, mentors and faculty who鈥檝e supported the students鈥� academic endeavors.
For honors graduate Maria Del Pilar Figueroa, the evening had special significance. Not only is she the first child in her family to graduate from college, but her 88-year-old grandmother traveled from Guatemala City to witness the event.
鈥淚鈥檓 very happy. I鈥檓 very proud for this big achievement,鈥� said Figueroa鈥檚 grandmother, Maria Portillo.
Figueroa, 25, received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication sciences and disorders and plans to enroll in ISU鈥檚 master鈥檚 program in speech-language pathology at a later date. She鈥檒l also graduate with a degree in biology from College of 糖心传媒 May 21.
Born in Guatemala City, Figueroa moved to Nampa at age 14. She decided to study communication sciences after discovering the importance of speech pathology in the rehabilitation of a relative, who鈥檇 undergone treatment for a brain tumor.
Other students honored at commencement include pharmacy graduate Jo Lynne Kiester, who was awarded the ISU-Meridian Student Excellence top honor, and dietetics graduate Kate Erickson, recipient of ISU鈥檚 Division of Health Sciences Outstanding Student Achievement Award.
Also recognized were the other six nominees for the Meridian Student Excellence Award.
- Jessica Anderson, speech-language pathology
- Gina Decker, public health
- Katie Fisher, physician assistant studies
- Cyndia Glorfield, counseling
- Jerri Kesler, communication sciences and disorders
- Linsey Saras, athletic administration
Dr. Karl Watts, president and founder of Genesis World Mission, delivered the commencement keynote address.
The ISU-Meridian Health Science Center offers more than 20 programs in the health professions, including pharmacy, nursing, medical/clinical laboratory science, physician assistant studies, audiology, dental hygiene, speech-language pathology, counseling and an advanced dental residency.