Pinning ceremony highlights Commencement weekend for RU M.O.T. candidates

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President Kyle offers her remarks during Friday's Occupational Therapy Pinning Ceremony.

Radford University’s Department of Occupational Therapy (OT) pinned its 19-member Master of Occupational Therapy (M.O.T.) Class of 2015 as part of the Dec. 19-20 Winter Commencement ceremonies.

President Penelope W. Kyle joined the class and family and friends in the Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium to mark the occasion in which the students joined their professional community and almost 100 Radford-trained OT clinicians in practice across the Commonwealth and the region.

"What a wonderful young group you are and we are delighted that you have achieved this pinnacle," said President Kyle before reflecting on the program's impact on the University.

"In 2009 the OT program was the first new program added at Radford University in many years. It is remarkable because it was a graduate program in the health care arena that jump started us to include more such programs in our curriculum." President Kyle said. "The OT program and our faculty elevated the profile of Radford University and set the stage for the future of what graduate programs would be here."

Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping promote health and recovery from illness, injury or disability. After passage of the national certification examination, Radford’s OT class of 2015 will be licensed to practice in hospitals, day care facilities, nursing homes, schools, community centers and workplaces, private practice or a client's home.

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President Kyle with the faculty and new graduates from the Occupational Therapy Program.

"Today we not only celebrate the graduation of these students, but we celebrate the family and friends who walked alongside of them and provided them guidance and support," said OT Instructor Vesna Cotic Costello, who gave the faculty address. "What better way to teach than to teach a group of students like these who are eager to learn, are supportive of each other and aglow with hearts full of passion."

"I am excited, but it is bittersweet," said Hannah Haimes of Norfolk. "The passion of the faculty for the profession made my two and a half years so rich."

Salem’s Mary Bennett gave the Student Address before the audience of over 150 in the Bonnie that included her personal 15-member party friends and family.

"Radford shines and made our experience as graduate students and occupational therapists special," she said. "I feel like our futures are bright and there is so much opportunity for us to serve."

Dec 21, 2015