Students, Donors Honored at Scholarship Reception
| The College of Health Professions celebrated the achievements of its students and the generosity of its donors at its annual Scholarship Program in November.
College of Health Professions Dean Susan Long, Ed.D., congratulates Sean Thomason on his scholarships.
Nearly $70,000 in scholarships were awarded to 47 worthy students from the college’s 17 departments.
College Dean Susan Long, Ed.D., congratulated the students on their academic success and stressed the importance of the college’s donors.
“Without our donors, we can’t give scholarships,” she said. “Without scholarships, we can’t assist our students, and our students can’t become the allied health professionals who will take care of you, me, our neighbors and others across Arkansas.”
Autumn Lewis, an audiology student, told donors their support has been an incredible blessing to her life and the lives of her fellow scholarship recipients.
“Scholarships are crucial for bridging the gap between the increasing cost of a college education and what a student can pay,” Long said. “With the average debt of our 2018 graduates at more than $48,000, scholarships can help lessen the financial strain on many students.”
Students also expressed their gratitude.
“You gave so generously to individuals you don’t even know,” said Autumn Lewis, Audiology Class of 2022. “You will never truly know the impact of your charity, which has been life changing for all of the students in this room. But please know this, you have believed, you have supported, you have invested and been a blessing to our futures.”
“I wouldn’t be standing in here in front of you, if it wasn’t for the scholarship you provided,” Lewis said. “Because of your generosity to people like myself, we now have the opportunity to pursue our dreams and make a difference in the life of others, as you have made a difference, and a lasting impression, in ours.”
Ophthalmic Medical Technology (OMT) students Alicia Bratten (left) and Cornesha Day (second from right) said receiving a scholarship that bears the name of John Shock, M.D., (center) was an incredible honor. Also pictured are CHP Dean Susan Long and Alicia Baird, chair of the OMT program.
Sean Thomason, a Radiologic Imaging Sciences student who graduates in May, said the three scholarships he was awarded this year have given him a lot of breathing room when it comes to his finances.
For Alicia Bratten and Cornesha Day, the name on the scholarship meant just as much as the amount of the scholarship. Both ophthalmic medical technology students were awarded the John Shock, M.D., Endowed Scholarship. Shock founded the Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute and was instrumental in creating the ophthalmic medical technology program.
“It is such a great honor to receive a scholarship bearing Dr. Shock’s name,” said Bratten.
A number of donors attended the ceremony and reception.
Edward Williams, M.Ed., chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and program director, (from left) celebrates with PA student Robin Brown, donor and advisory board member Ruth Allen, Ph.D., and associate program director Tiffany Huitt, Ph.D. Brown was awarded the Ruth M. Allen, Ph.D., Endowed Scholarship.
James Wear, Ph.D., served as chair of the former Biomedical Instrumentation Technology program. An endowed scholarship bearing his name was established in 2011, in part thanks to funds he accumulated in his department.
“I thought an endowed scholarship was a great use of those funds. Since that time, I’ve been able to add to the endowment because I think it is important,” he said.
For Claire Vann, vice president of the Arkansas Dental Hygienists’ Association, which has sponsored the Arkansas State Dental Hygienists’ Association Endowed Scholarship, scholarships are an investment in the future of the profession.
“We want to invest in students as much as we can so that they can succeed and can come back and be a part of our organization,” she said.