The College of Health and Human Services Celebrates Academic Excellence
The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), in the first in-person celebration since 2019, celebrated its faculty, staff, students and community partners on Monday night, kicking off a week of Commencement celebrations.
Dr. Cheryl Green, President of Governors State University (GSU), gave a warm welcome, acknowledging all the world has gone through in these last three years, and challenging guests to think of a time when health care occupations were more needed and appreciated.
“COVID effected all our lives. It has created chaos. It has created a tumultuous world for our students as they tried to persist and thrive and overcome all challenges set in their way.”
Dr. Green also highlighted two of the outstanding undergraduate students, Brave Fung (BHS), who will be singing the National Anthem at commencement, and Sedona Smith (BSW - 2021 Lincoln Laureate), and two outstanding graduate students, Peter Brassea (MSW), who is one of two graduates speaking at commencement on Saturday, and Dustin Hogan (MOT) whose young daughter delighted guests with her sparkly dress.
Giving back to the community and remaining connected to mentors, faculty, and staff was a common theme for the day.
Dr. Schneller, GSU’s new Provost, commended the awardees for their work in the field of health and human services. “You give hope, you teach, you console, and you encourage and you lead with compassion, kindness, a look, a smile.”
Dr. Catherine Balthazar, the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS), who has coordinated this event for the last 20 years, said that she looks forward to Recognition Night with great pride each year.
The event was highlighted with awards for outstanding supervisors, preceptors, and field instructors; outstanding student awards, which included five undergraduate students, nine graduate students, and two doctorate students.
In closing, Dr. Balthazar implored all present to know the difference between knowledge and wisdom; wisdom makes the biggest difference. “My hope is that you will find wisdom of your own along your journey.”
Earlier in the day, CHHS celebration began with the recognition of the 2022 Upsilon Phi Delta (UPD) Honor Society Inductees. Nine students, joined by friends, family, faculty, and a special candle lighting ritual, promised to advance the organization’s mission to recognize, reward, and encourage academic excellence in the study of healthcare management and policy.
In her address to the inductees, Dean Balthazar said the students work will shape the quality of life for so many individuals.
The celebration continued into the afternoon with the recognition of the 2022 Alpha Eta Honors Society Inductees who dedicated themselves to the promotion and recognition of significant scholarship, leadership, and contributions to the Allied Health Professions.
Thirteen of GSU’s students, faculty and staff — working in Communication Disorders, Physical Therapy, Community Health, or Addiction Studies — promised to foster high standards of education in their respective fields.
“Your participation (in Alpha Eta) is an enactment of your commitment to something that is bigger than yourself. Through engagement in the community, you learned what concerns them; what delights them; what hurts them; and what heals them. This understanding and commitment to service will drive you toward excellence and greater service,” Balthazar said.
(All honorees are listed at the end of this article)
2022 Outstanding Supervisors, Preceptors, and Field Instructors
Addictions Studies & Behavioral Health
Claudia Nguyen, Community Health
Pat Brett, Addictions Studies
Doug Allen, Addictions Counseling Concentration
Communication Disorders
Jennifer Armstrong
Health Administration
Steven Gelsomino
Nursing
Jerry Muta
Occupational Therapy
Nathan Rieder
Physical Therapy
David Hudak
Social Work
Lori Smith – Bachelor of Social Work
Arwa Sons – Master of Social Work
2022 Outstanding Students
Addictions Studies & Behavioral Health - Presented by Dr. Cheryl Mejta, Department Chair
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Brave Fung
Outstanding Graduate Students
Derek Potts
Michelle Jones
Communication Disorders - Presented by Dr. Jessica Bonner, Department Chair
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Alyssa Morales
Outstanding Graduate Student
Kaylee Neylon
Health Administration - Presented by Ning Lu, Department Chair
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Amber Wrobel
Outstanding Graduate Student
Priscilla Wegrzyn
Health Informatics - Presented by Ning Lu, Department Chair
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Quintin Jones
Outstanding Graduate Student
Nigam Bopanna Palachanda Uthaiah
Nursing - Presented by Dr. Nancy MacMullen, Department Chair
Outstanding Graduate Students
Millicent Baidoo
Raquel Talusan
Outstanding Doctoral Student
Evelyn Kammin
Occupational Therapy - Presented by Dr. Caren Schranz, Department Chair
Outstanding Graduate Student
Dustin Hogan
Physical Therapy - Presented by Dr. David Diers, Interim Department Chair
Outstanding Graduate Student
Lauren Fleming
Social Work - Presented by Dr. Gerri Outlaw, Department Chair
Outstanding Undergraduate Student
Sedona Smith
Outstanding Graduate Student
Peter Brassea
2022 Upsilon Phi Delta Honor Society Inductees
Garrett Anderson – Bachelor of Health Administration student
Steven Anderson – Bachelor of Health Administration student
Julia – Reyes – Bachelor of Health Administration student
Maria Olvera – Bachelor of Health Administration student
Mohannad Salah - Bachelor of Health Administration student
Jessica Roberson– Bachelor of Health Administration student
Zunara Arif – Master of Health Administration student
Anjanette Flynn – Master of Health Administration student
Toybat Akeeb – Master of Health Administration student
2022 Alpha Eta Honor Society Inductees
Dr. Frank Czuba
Dr. Tonya Roberson
Prof. Elaine Reyna
Dr. Angela Riccelli
Meryana Hattar
Justine Asas
Natalie Jawabreh
Exequiel Rosaldo
Sheinajoy Chaplin
Fadya Ahmed
Huda Yasin
Elizabeth Koontz
Clara Guirguis Bebawy