ISU-Meridian confers 195 degrees at spring commencement; Russell Singleton selected top Student Excellence honoree

Idaho State University-Meridian Health Science Center awarded 195 degrees in graduate, undergraduate and professional programs during commencement exercises May 7 at the Boise Centre.

Programs included pharmacy, audiology, physician assistant studies, nursing, speech-language pathology, counseling, medical laboratory sciences, athletic administration, public health, paramedic science, and communication sciences and disorders.

The commencement address was delivered by Ted Epperly, M.D., the chief executive and director of the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho.  He told the graduates he was proud to call them colleagues and encouraged them to serve others.

“One of my challenges to you is to make a difference,” Epperly said.

Physician assistant studies graduate, Russell Singleton, was named ISU-Meridian’s top Student Excellence honoree for his academic achievement, research and community service.

“I was absolutely surprised and extremely honored,” said Singleton, who has helped provide flu vaccinations and health screenings in underserved communities.  He has also written articles on the importance of providing bilingual health care providers in Idaho's Spanish-speaking communities.

Singleton was one of seven students nominated for the Student Excellence Award.  The other finalists are:

• Darcy Ann Thie Aslett, pharmacy
• Lily Caywood, speech-language pathology 
• Sonya Crum, graduate nursing
• Sean Dahlin, athletic administration
• Stephanie Neid, undergraduate nursing
• Melanie Person, counseling

Also recognized at commencement were nursing graduate Michael Shafer, recipient of a 2012 Outstanding Student Achievement Award;  physician assistant studies clinical assistant professor Jared Papa, recipient of the  2012 ISU Distinguished Service Award; and Galen Louis, director of ISU’s Master of Public Health Program, recipient of a 2012 Outstanding Master Teacher Award.

At the end of the ceremony, ISU President Arthur Vailas told graduates to use their degrees “to go out and do their best for the greater good.”  He applauded parents, families and friends for supporting the students during their years of study.

Here’s the breakdown of graduate, professional and undergraduate degrees: one Doctor of Philosophy; seven Doctor of Audiology; 24 Doctor of Pharmacy; seven Master of Counseling; one Master of Education; nine Master of Physical Education/Athletic Administration; 30 Master of Physician Assistant Studies; one Master of Public Health; 46 Master of Science; 61 Bachelor of Science; and seven Associate of Science degrees.