News Story

College celebrates 2009 graduating class

Posted 06/22/2009

Story by Lexi Noice, CPH Communications

The College celebrated the 74 individuals in the 2009 graduating class at the College of Public Health (CPH) commencement luncheon on Friday, June 12.

Phyllis Pirie, interim associate dean for academic affairs, addressed the graduates. Pirie congratulated them for their persistence and dedication to the field of public health and asked them to stay in touch.

"The faculty is proud of all the graduates and the good work they have done in getting to this point and look forward to the good work they will do in the future. As the world changes daily, it seems that public health is really increasing in stature and importance in dramatic ways. These graduates will be a part of this important change," said Pirie.


Denise Kissell, CPH Alumni Society President-Elect (left) presented student choice awards to Carol Smathers, Heather Baltic, and Kyle Dorsey (not pictured). Students were asked to nominate their peers for outstanding student in each program based on qualities such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and dedication to the field of public health.

Denise Kissell, president-elect of the CPH Alumni Society, presented the student choice awards for outstanding students to Carol Smathers, MPH Program for Experienced Professionals, Kyle Dorsey, MHA, and Heather Baltic, MPH.

Amy Ferketich, associate professor and graduate studies chair, announced the four graduates who were inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society. Those who were inducted were Mary Ellen Kramer, Julie Johnston, Jennifer Lenihan, and Eva Underwood.

A commencement reception on Sunday, June 14, recognized those graduating with a Master of Health Administration. The event was hosted by the Division of Health Services Management and Policy (HSMP).

Among those recognized were the Caswell Scholars who earned a GPA of 3.8 or higher: MHA graduates Julie Johnston, Jennifer Lenihan, Priscilla Pham, Eva Underwood, Kyle Dorsey, and Maria Fondriest. This award is named in honor of R. Jeffrey Caswell, associate professor emeritus from the HSMP division.

The HSMP Alumni Society also awarded the Past Presidents' Leadership Award to Kyle Dorsey and Priscilla Pham.

"This year's graduating class represents just about everything we look for in an MHA class. As a group, they are cohesive, they communicate well with one another, and they are committed to the MHA program and the College. These graduates are obviously successful, as evident from the many health care organizations from which they have received job offers," said Sharon Schweikhart, associate professor and MHA program director.

 

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The Ohio State University's College Public Health is an integral part of the most comprehensive health sciences campus in the nation. The college was created in February 2007 by the University Board of Trustees. First established in 1995 as part of the College of Medicine, we are the first and only accredited school of public health in the state of Ohio. Specializations within the college include biostatistics, epidemiology, health behavior and health promotion, environmental health sciences, health services management and policy, veterinary public health and clinical investigations. The college is currently ranked 21st in public health graduate schools by US News & World Report. Its Master of Health Administration program is ranked 12th.