Salus University Fall Commencement Program 2024

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Welcome to the 129th commencement of Salus University. We have conferred degrees on healthcare professionals since our first commencement in 1922 as the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO). Over the years, the name of our institution may have changed, but the excitement and anticipation of commencement day has remained the same.

Salus University was established by the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO), later renamed to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), which was founded in 1919 to create a professional school of optometry on par with those of medicine and dentistry. That century-old legacy continues, as the University maintains and increases higher standards of education and clinical proficiency for the professions we serve.

From 1919 to 1983, Optometry was the College’s sole program. In 1983, master’s degrees in Blindness and Low Vision Studies were introduced. In 2000, the Audiology program began, followed by Physician Assistant Studies in 2007. Today, Salus offers additional degree programs in Biomedicine, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology and Orthotics and Prosthetics.

Salus University is a diversified, globally recognized professional academic center of learning that offers a wide range of accredited postgraduate degree programs. There are more than 1,200 Salus students and more than 14,000 alumni worldwide.

This is a day of great pride for our graduates as well as their families and friends. The faculty and staff of Salus University are proud of what our graduates have achieved during their time with us and hope you will join us in this celebration of their achievements.

Congratulations to the families and friends of the Class of 2024 for your ever-important, unheralded support of your graduate. Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We are proud of what each of you has accomplished. In 2019, the University’s celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of PCO, followed by the 20th anniversary of the Audiology program in 2020. This year, we will continue to celebrate our legacy of changing lives and the exciting vision we have for the future.

During this year’s fall commencement, the University will bestow doctoral and master’s degrees in the professions of Audiology, Blindness and Low Vision Studies, Clinical Audiology, Clinical Optometry, Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies.

Music Prelude

Order of Ceremonies

Les Barricades Mystérieuses François Couperin

Gymnopédie No. 1 Erik Satie

Rêverie ....................................................................................... Claude Debussy

Prelude in C Johann Sebastian Bach

Donald Meineke

Pianist

Academic Procession*

Pomp and Circumstance

Edward Elgar

National Anthem* music by John Stafford Smith lyrics by Francis Scott Key

Star-Spangled Banner

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Introduction Michael H. Mittelman, OD, MPH, LHD (Hon.), MBA President

Graduate Commencement Address Taylor Marie Schanne College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation

* The audience is requested to stand with the Faculty and Graduates during the Academic Procession, Recessional and during the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and is invited to join in the singing.

Honorary Degree Doctor of Humane Letters

Oration Gerard O’Sullivan, PhD

Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs

Conferring of Honorary Degree.................................... President Mittelman

Paul Jensen, PhD

Nina Henderson Provost, Drexel University

Paul E. Jensen, PhD, is the Nina Henderson Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs for Drexel University, appointed on November 1, 2019. He was previously dean and R. John Chapel, Jr., Dean’s Chair of the LeBow College of Business, having joined LeBow’s economics faculty in 1997.

As the Nina Henderson Provost, Provost Jensen is responsible for ensuring excellence and innovation in teaching, learning and research at Drexel University. Dr. Jensen oversees undergraduate and graduate programs across Drexel’s colleges, schools and centers and focuses on key areas that harness Drexel’s strengths of inclusion, innovation and partnership.

In his role, he has collaborated to advance a number of Universitywide initiatives, including improving infrastructure to foster curricular and program innovation and implementing the Responsibility Center Management budgeting model to promote a culture of transparency.

Provost Jensen served on the executive committee that created the Strategic Plan Drexel 2030: Designing the Future and facilitated the identification and elevation of Drexel’s Areas of Excellence and Opportunity, which leverage the University’s core strengths in education, innovation, research and partnership.

Throughout his tenure, Provost Jensen has sought to capitalize on his expertise in international trade and industrial organization, and his experience at a multinational company to elevate academic and research collaborations between the University and external partners.

Honorary Degree Doctor of Humane Letters

Oration Elizabeth Moy, MSW Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Conferring of Honorary Degree.................................... President Mittelman

Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, PhD

Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President for Graduate Education, Drexel University

Elisabeth Van Bockstaele, PhD, is the founding dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies at Drexel University. She also serves as senior vice president for graduate and online education and dean of the Graduate College at Drexel.

She comes to the Drexel College of Medicine from Thomas Jefferson University where she was a tenured professor in the Department of Neuroscience and the founding director of the graduate program in Neuroscience at the Jefferson Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. For several years, she was vice chair for research in the Department of Neurological Surgery of Jefferson Medical College, and she has held numerous leadership roles in graduate and medical school courses, including coordinating graduate courses.

The graduate neuroscience program Dr. Van Bockstaele founded at Jefferson was the first interdisciplinary, non–department–based graduate program at the University. She oversaw the development of a curriculum that bridges basic neuroscience and clinical neuroscience and engaged clinicians in didactic coursework and as mentors of the graduate students. She has a demonstrated commitment to providing a mentoring infrastructure that supports graduate students and fellows in their pursuit of research funding, and several of her own recent predoctoral students have obtained National Institutes of Health (NIH) predoctoral fellowships.

Dr. Van Bockstaele’s research has been consistently funded throughout her career, beginning in 1994 when she was an assistant professor of neuroscience at Cornell University Medical College. Data collected in her laboratory has been published in more than 160 peer-reviewed papers, reviews, and book chapters, and more than 80 symposium proceedings. She has been a member of, or chaired, several fellowship study sections for the NIH, as well as center grant and program project

reviews, and recently completed service as chair of a standing NIH study section, Neuroimmunology, Neuroendocrinology, Rhythms and Sleep. She has held various leadership positions in the Society for Neuroscience, the world’s largest organization of scientists devoted to understanding the brain and nervous system.

Dr. Van Bockstaele received her PhD and master’s degrees in neurobiology from New York University, with a minor in biochemistry and molecular biology, and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Cornell University Medical College before joining the faculty there. She is a 2010 graduate of Drexel University College of Medicine’s Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® program for women.

Music Interlude

Honors

A complete list of award recipients is present on the University website at www.salus.edu/commencement

Announcement of Honors James M. Caldwell, OD, EdD Associate Provost and Dean of Student Affairs

Division of Global, Interprofessional, and Specialized Programming Blindness and Low Vision Studies Program Alumni Association Award

Attainment of the highest academic average.

College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation Physician Assistant Studies Program Alumni Association Award

Attainment of the highest academic average.

Clinical Excellence Award

Demonstrated excellence in the clinical phase of the program.

Pi Alpha National Honor Society

Pi Alpha National Honor Society is organized for the promotion and recognition of significant academic achievement, leadership, research, community/professional service and related activities, and the encouragement of a high standard of character and conduct.

Osborne College of Audiology

Doctor of Audiology Program

Alumni Association Award

Attainment of the highest academic average.

Degrees

Presentation of Candidates

Provost O’Sullivan

Conferring of Degree President Mittelman

Division of Global, Interprofessional and Specialized Programming

Master of Science in Clinical Optometry

International Advanced Studies Certificate

Anisa Irshad

Division of Global, Interprofessional, and Specialized Programming

Master of Science

Low Vision Rehabilitation

Marisol Ballines

Division of Global, Interprofessional, and Specialized Programming

Master of Science

Orientation and Mobility

Anissa Najm

Mark Ruoff

Tiffany Amber Weitzel

Division of Global, Interprofessional, and Specialized Programming

Master of Science

Vision Rehabilitation Therapy

Alexandria K. Bejarano

Mara L. Foster-Gray

Osborne College of Audiology

Master of Science in Clinical Audiology

Mohammad Al Shanteer

College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Julia Webb

College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation

Master of Medical Science

Physician Assistant Studies

Abigail Sarah Bezar

Cody Blattner

Chelsey Lenka Boguslawski

Madison Olivia Clawson

Emily Jane Damico

Julia M. Drozdowsky

Morgan Alyssa Gianelle

Sophia Ludovica Giavotto

Julia Ariel Jaffe

Sarah Nicole Jones

Justin Robert Kapke

Mackenzie Kathleen Kelly

Mahek Fatema Kermalli

Momina Khan

Jennifer Lynne Kielhorn

Lavinia Davis Kitson

Gabrielle Alexis Kuntz

Sally Li

Emily Catherine Long

Caroline D. McCleary

Malana Elise Manquen

Allison Elizabeth Marks

Nathan Paul Macleary

Kathleen Bridget Miller

Lauren Therese Miller

Erin Joi Monacci

Jyothi Sarasa Mony

Joseph D. O’Brien

Catherine Oakley

Brandon C. Peters

Raya Lyn Pezzillo

Ethan J. Price

Taylor Dawn Price

Ferdison Kyle Ramos

Lilly Delphene Rapps

Nicholas Rosa

Anna Claire Saginario

Whitney Leigh Schroeder

Taylor Marie Schanne

Jacob A. Spivack

Julianna Marie Stevens

Kelly Anne Striker

Nimra Tahir

Grace Elizabeth Tasman

Huntur Bradley Woodard

Joe-Michael Mikhael Zaarour

Presentation of Candidates ............................................... Provost O’Sullivan

Conferring of Degree President Mittelman

Osborne College of Audiology

Doctor of Audiology – Online Bridge Program

Nadiah Abdul Khalil

Bittu Mathew Aliyas

Inas Alrubaye

Taha Kais Taha Al-Shalash

Rawan Badriah

Deema Moh’d Taw Ikbarieh

Smarty Merin

Christopher John Radford

Alejandro Rodicio

Jagrati Sharma

Nadia Maria Vas Falcao

Krishna Priya VK

Saba Zafar

This program was printed before final certification of graduation. Therefore, this listing is tentative only. Any errors or omissions are inadvertent, and the university cannot be held responsible. The academic transcript is the official record.

** All Health and Service Professionals in attendance, including the graduating class, are invited to stand and take this opportunity to read aloud, with Dr. O’Sullivan, “The Oath to Professionalism.”

The Oath to Professionalism

With full deliberation I freely and solemnly pledge that:

I will practice the art and science of my chosen profession faithfully and conscientiously, and to the fullest scope of my competence.

I will uphold and honorably promote by example and action the highest standards, ethics and ideals of my chosen profession.

I will provide professional care for those who seek my services, with concern, with compassion and with due regard for their human rights and dignity without discrimination.

I will place the treatment of those whom I serve above personal gain and strive to see that none shall lack for proper care with their welfare my utmost concern.

I will maintain absolute confidentiality of all information provided by those who seek my services.

I will continuously strive to broaden my knowledge and skills to deliver all new and efficacious means to enhance my services.

I will do my utmost to serve my community, my country and humankind.

I hereby commit myself to be steadfast in the performance of this, my solemn oath and obligation.

Congratulations from the Salus University Alumni Association ................. Evan Schulz, MMS, PA-C Physician Assistant Studies, Class of 2019

Music Postlude

Polonaise Militaire, Op. 40, No. 1 ......................................... Frédéric Chopin

* THE AUDIENCE’S COOPERATION IS REQUESTED TO PLEASE REMAIN SEATED UNTIL THE GRADUATES HAVE PASSED DOWN THE AISLE.

Presidents

Salus University

Established 2008

2013 – present Michael H. Mittelman, OD, MPH, LHD (Hon.), MBA

2008 – 2013 ..........................................................

Thomas L. Lewis, OD, PhD

Presidents

Pennsylvania College of Optometry

Established 1919

1989 – 2008 Thomas L. Lewis, OD, PhD

1979 – 1989........................................... Melvin D. Wolfberg, OD, LHD (Hon)

1972 – 1979 ......................................Norman E. Wallis, OD, PhD, DSc (Hon)

1960 – 1972 Lawrence Fitch, OD

1919 – 1960 Albert Fitch, OD

Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs

Salus University

2023 – present Gerard O’Sullivan, PhD

2023 – 2023 ...................................... Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD (Interim)

2019 – 2023 ..................................................................... Barry S. Eckert, PhD

2018 – 2019 Melissa A. Vitek, OD (Interim)

2014 – 2018 Janice E. Scharre, OD, MA

2008 – 2014 Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD, MEd, MPH

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Pennsylvania College of Optometry

1989 – 2008......................................Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD, MEd, MPH

Deans

Pennsylvania College of Optometry

2024 - present......... Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, MBA, MS (Interim)

2016 – 2024 ........................................................... Melissa E. Trego, OD, PhD

2014 – 2016 .................................................................... Lori Grover, OD, PhD

2009 – 2013 Linda Casser, OD

1989 – 2009

Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD, MEd, MPH

1979 – 1989...........................................................

1974 – 1979 .....................................................

1973 – 1974

1971 – 1973

1967 – 1969

Thomas L. Lewis, OD, PhD

Jerald W. Strickland, OD, PhD

Norman E. Wallis, OD, PhD, DSc (Hon)

Don W. Hickman, MS, PhD

Stanley S. Willing, MA, EdD

1950 – 1967 ....................................................................... Lawrence Fitch, OD

George S. Osborne College of Audiology

2016 – present Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD

2009 – 2016 Victor H. Bray, PhD

1999 – 2007 .............................. George S. Osborne, DDS, PhD, AuD (Hon)

College of Education and Rehabilitation

2019 – 2020 Barry S. Eckert, PhD (Acting)

2017 – 2019 Barbara Schwartz-Bechet, MS, EdD (Interim)

2016 – 2017.......................................................................... Jason J. Barr, PhD

2008 – 2016.................................................................... Audrey J. Smith, PhD

College of Health Sciences

2018 – 2020 Donna Agnew, MSPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA (Interim)

2008 – 2018 Lorraine Lombardi, MS, PhD (Interim)

College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation

2023 – present Lauren Sponseller, PhD, OTD, MSOTR/L, MEd, CLA

2020 – 2023

Student Affairs

James F. Konopack, PhD

2012 – present James M. Caldwell, OD, EdD

1990 – 2012 .............................................. Robert E. Horne, MS, LHD (Hon.), 1973 – 1990 John J. Crozier, OD

Research and Sponsored Programs

2017 – present Mitchell Scheiman, OD, PhD

2009 - 2012 ...................... Anthony F. Di Stefano, OD, MEd, MPH (Interim)

2007 - 2009 Felix M. Barker, II, OD, MS

Department of International and Continuing Education

2021 – 2023

Melissa A. Vitek, OD

Division of Global, Interprofessional and Specialized Programming

2023 – Present Melissa A. Vitek, OD

Commencement Marshals

James M. Caldwell, OD, EdD, Chief Marshal

John J. Fitzgerald III, DO, FACOG, Mace Bearer

Shilpi Banerjee, PhD, MBA

Christine K. McCormick, DMS, MS, PA-C

Jonette B. Owen, AUD, MHA, FNAP, CH-AP

Fabiana Perla, EdD, COMS, CLVT

Andrea Carr Tyszka, OTD, MS, OTR/L, SIPT

The Ceremonial Mace

The mace is a traditional symbol of authority dating back to the Middle Ages. The use of ceremonial maces by educational institutions began in the 17th century, when Cambridge and Oxford Universities in England adopted the mace as an emblem to be carried on ceremonial occasions. In keeping with many colleges and universities in the United States that began the tradition of ceremonial maces in the 20th century, Pennsylvania College of Optometry - the founding college of Salus University - adopted the mace in 1993 for significant ceremonies. The mace bearer traditionally precedes the president of an institution as he/ she enters or departs.

The Chain of Office

Our president wears a Chain of Office for all commencement ceremonies with the University’s official seal on the central medallion. The chain connects four smaller medallions and banners that honor the original four Colleges of the University. Additional banners are dedicated to the previous presidents of our founding college, Pennsylvania College of Optometry and Salus University.

Presented by the Alumni Association, the Chain of Office is an expression of the history and traditions of Salus University.

The Academic Regalia

The wearing of academic dress dates back to the early days of the world’s older universities. American universities adopted academic dress in 1895 and immediately established a code of regulations followed today by almost all American institutions. Establishment of this code has made it possible to distinguish the bachelor, master and doctoral degree holders, while at the same time recognizing the university that awarded the degree. The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves and is worn closed. The master’s gown has oblong sleeves, open at the wrist. The rear part of its oblong shape is square cut, and the front part has an arc cut away which can be worn opened or closed. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves and is worn opened or closed. The majority of gowns are black, but a number of institutions have adopted other colors to identify special programs or groups within that institution.

The hoods vary in length. All hoods are silk-lined in the academic color(s) of the institution conferring the degree. If the institution has more than one color, the colors are shown in divisions using chevrons. The traditional colors of Pennsylvania College of Optometry were adopted by Salus University and are represented by the cardinal and silver satin lining of the hood. The binding or edge of the doctor’s, master’s and bachelor’s hoods is usually made of velvet in the color designating the subject in which the degree was granted. Some colors in the bindings of hoods are:

Arts/Humane Letters white

Audiology spruce green

Dentistry .......................................................................................................... lilac

Education ...............................................................................................light blue

Law purple

Medicine hunter green

Nursing apricot

Occupational Therapy rhoades blue

Optometry seafoam green

Philosophy dark blue

Physician Assistant ........................................................................ hunter green

Public Health ................................................................................... salmon pink

Science golden yellow

Black mortarboards are most commonly worn, though six-sided tams of various colors may be used.

Academic Regalia Adornment

Alpha Upsilon Delta Spruce Green Cords Alumni Association Award ........................................................................Medal

American Optometric Student Association (Member) Blue Cords

American Optometric Student Association (Trustee)

Blue and White Intertwined Cords

Beta Sigma Kappa (3 years or less) Gold Cords

Beta Sigma Kappa (4 years) ..................

Gold and Black Intertwined Cords

Gold Key International Gold Stole

Pi Alpha

Pi Theta Epsilon ........................................

Silver and Blue Intertwined Cords

Gold and Blue Intertwined Cords

Established in 2015, the Alpha Upsilon Delta National Honor Society recognizes significant academic achievement, leadership and service to the audiology profession.

The Salus University Alumni Association recognizes students in each program who attain the highest academic average.

The American Optometric Student Association works to improve the visual welfare and health of the public, promotes the profession of optometry and life-long commitment to state affiliates, and enhances the education and welfare of optometry students.

Founded in 1925, Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society membership is attained by scholastic excellence as honor students in the schools and colleges of optometry.

Established in 1972, the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society recognizes optometry students who have demonstrated outstanding professional and ethical attitudes through leadership and service to their class, college and profession.

Established in 2004, the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants recognizes significant academic achievement, leadership, research, community/professional service. Honorary membership is bestowed to individuals who provide scholarship, leadership or service to the profession.

Established in 1958, Pi Theta Epsilon National Honor Society for Occupational Therapists recognizes dedication toward advancement of the profession through scholarship.

Our Hooding Tradition

Initiated by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and continued today is our long-standing tradition of inviting alumni who are immediate family members to participate on stage in the hooding of their graduate. This occurs on the right side of the stage immediately prior to the degree conferral.

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