Third-annual DPT commencement celebrates Class of 2025
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degrees were conferred to 79 students during Hanover College’s third-annual DPT commencement ceremony. The event was held Friday, August 22, in Collier Arena.
Photo Gallery / Video Replay / Commencement Program
Hanover President Lake Lambert and Elaine Kops-Bedel ’74, chair of the Board of Trustees, welcomed members of the graduating class, their families and friends, and other guests in attendance.
“Today, we celebrate that you have claimed your calling and that you will leave us to be healthcare practitioners and healers,” said Lambert during his opening remarks. “You have gained expertise in treating illness, irregularity and problems, but I hope that you will always look holistically at the care and treatment of people over problems. This is what distinguishes a healer.”
The graduation featured a student address from Alexandra Carmen Menendez DPT ’25, a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., who encouraged her classmates to stay human, humble and hungry.
“Getting our doctorate in physical therapy is not the finish line. It’s the starting point,” said Menendez. “The more I learn, the more I realize how much more there is to know. I would rather be someone who admits they don’t know something than pretend they have it all figured out. Humility isn’t just about being modest; it’s about being teachable. And the best clinicians are the ones who never stop learning.”
The address was followed by the presentation of student academic and leadership awards, traditional doctoral hooding and conferral of degrees to each student.
Gregory Kline, Hanover’s DPT program director, recognized award-winning members of the graduating class, saluting student impact and excellence in academics, clinical performance and service.
The Student Impact Award, chosen by members of the class, is presented to an innovative student who exemplifies living a purposeful life, has a deep personal commitment to the profession and is a lifelong learner. The honor was given to Leanne Schellhorn DPT ’25, who resides in Marysville, Wash.
The Academic Excellence Award is presented to students who demonstrate consistent qualities of clinical excellence, both in the clinic and the classroom. The honor was given to three students, including Bradley Johnson DPT ’25, a Cloverdale, Ind., native, Reese VanDevender DPT ’25, from Centerville, Ind., and Latrell Wade DPT ’25, who resides in Jacksonville, Fla.
Wade also earned the Clinical Excellence Award, which signifies consistent qualities of clinical excellence in the classroom and clinic.
The Service Excellence Award was presented to Trent Gabriel DPT ’25, a native of Grayson, Ga., in recognition of outstanding service to Hanover’s program or the physical therapy profession.
Carey Adams, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented the candidates and President Lake Lambert conferred degrees to each student. Kerry Volansky, associate provost for graduate studies, served as reader and the hooding of each graduate was conducted by Kline and David Denton, assistant program director.
Mark Hays ’77, president of the Alumni Leadership Council, welcomed members of the class to the Hanover College Alumni Association.
“In my opinion, a physical therapist has a brain of a scientist, the heart of a humanist and the hands of an artist,” said Hays, who noted he has been married to a physical therapist for 36 years. He encouraged the graduates to be involved with advocacy efforts for their profession and with the College, stating, “Since I graduated, I have been amazed how the Hanover connection has worked. It’s simply amazing to see how Hanover alums help Hanover alums!”
Rev. Catherine Y.E. Knott, Ball Family Chaplain, opened the ceremony with an invocation and closed the proceedings with the benediction.
Marshals for commencement activities included Denton, Joseph Girard, clinical associate professor, and Sharon McFadden, clinical assistant professor.
