Idaho State University-Meridian to graduate its largest class ever April 26; Lt. Gov. Brad Little is guest speaker

For the second consecutive year, Idaho State University will graduate a record number of students from its Treasure Valley programs, awarding 180 graduate and undergraduate degrees in the health professions and sciences.

Commencement exercises begin at 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 26, at the Boise Centre, 850 W. Front St.  Idaho Lt. Gov. Brad Little will deliver the commencement address.

This year's graduates are the first to attend the new Idaho State University-Meridian Health Science Center, which opened in August 2009.

"We're honored to play a key role in educating Idaho’s next generation of health care professionals," said ISU-Meridian academic dean, Bessie Katsilometes, noting the demand for health care workers will continue to increase due to a growing and aging population.

ISU's 2010 Outstanding Doctoral Student – Joel Sankey from the Department of Geosciences—and ISU-Meridian's seven Student Excellence Award nominees will be recognized at commencement. They are:

• Laura Bainbridge, nursing, undergraduate
• Whitney Bennett, pharmacy
• Tricia Beveridge, nursing, graduate
• J. Matt Broders, athletic administration
• Beth Guryan, counseling
• Colette Stroud, communication sciences and disorders
• Tara Toone, speech-language pathology 

Department faculty nominated the students for academic excellence, research, professional achievement and community service. Katsilometes will announce the top Student Excellence honoree at the commencement ceremony.

"We're thrilled to once again provide a record number of graduates to help ease Idaho's critical shortage of health professionals," said Ali Crane, ISU-Meridian's director of enrollment and student services.

ISU-Meridian Health Science Center offers more than 20 programs in the health professions, including pharmacy, nursing, clinical laboratory science, physician assistant studies, audiology, dental hygiene, speech-language pathology, counseling and an advanced dental residency.

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Media Contact: Contact: Chris Gabettas, ISU-Meridian Health Science Center, University Relations, 208-373-1806 (office), 208-861-3121 (cell)