ISU-Meridian will confer more than 220 degrees at May 13 commencement; real estate developer and physician Tommy Ahlquist slated to speak

Idaho State University-Meridian Health Science Center will graduate its largest class ever, conferring up to 225 degrees, on Monday, May 13, 6 p.m., at the Boise Center, 850 W. Front Street. 

The university will award most of the degrees in the health professions and health sciences. However, nine Renaissance High School students will receive Associate of Arts degrees in general studies through a partnership with ISU and Meridian’s Joint School District No. 2.

Tommy Ahlquist, a medical doctor and chief operating officer of the Gardner Company will deliver the commencement address. His company is currently constructing Idaho’s tallest building, an 18-story retail and business complex at 8^th and Main streets in downtown Boise.

During the ceremony, ISU-Meridian Dean Bessie Katsilometes will introduce the campus’ seven Student Excellence Award finalists and announce the top honoree.

The 2013 finalists and their academic programs are:

• Louie Beech, physician assistant studies
• Andrea Bockenstette, graduate nursing 
• Rick Boyes, counseling
• Nicole Butler, audiology
• Joshua Campbell, public health
• Ashleigh Conner, undergraduate nursing
• Elizabeth Sultania Thompson, pharmacy

Also recognized at commencement will be pharmacy student Danielle Rae Ahlstrom, recipient of a 2013 Outstanding Student Achieve Award and Clinical Assistant Pharmacy Professor Glenda Carr, one of five ISU professors to receive the 2013 Outstanding Public Service Award.

Here's the breakdown of graduate, professional and undergraduate degrees: two Doctor of Philosophy; five Doctor of Audiology; one Doctor of Education; 34 Doctor of Pharmacy; one Educational Specialist; nine Master of Counseling; one Master of Education; 10 Master of Physical Education/Athletic Administration; 30 Master of Physician Assistant Studies; seven Master of Public Health; 40 Master of Science; 69 Bachelor of Science; 11 Associate of Science degrees; and nine Associate of Arts degrees.

Disciplines include medical laboratory science, counseling, nursing, communication sciences and disorders, sign-language studies and paramedic science. 

The ISU-Meridian Health Science Center offers more than 20 graduate and undergraduate programs in the health professions and sciences. Visit www.isu.edu/meridian.

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Media Contact: Contact: Chris Gabettas, ISU-Meridian Health Science Center, Marketing and Communications, 208-334-3131 (office), 208-861-3121 (cell)