Idaho State University-Meridian will confer 257 degrees and recognize Student Excellence honorees at May 11 commencement in Boise; nursing alumnus Patrick Gray to speak

Idaho State University-Meridian Health Science Center will graduate its largest class ever Monday, May 11, conferring 257 degrees. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. at the Boise Centre, 850 W. Front St.

Most of the degrees will be awarded in the health professions and health sciences. Forty-seven Renaissance High School students will receive Associate of Arts degrees in general studies through a partnership with ISU and the West Ada School District.

Patrick Gray, a 2004 graduate of ISU-Meridian’s accelerated Bachelor of Science nursing program, is commencement speaker. An advocate for the disabled community, Gray is co-creator of I’ll Push You: A 500-Mile Journey between Two Best Friends, which chronicles his 2014 pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago trail in northern Spain. Gray pushed longtime friend, Justin Skeesuck, who is disabled, in a wheelchair.

ISU-Meridian Associate Vice President Bessie Katsilometes will introduce the campus’ eight Student Excellence Award finalists and announce the top honoree.

The 2015 finalists and their academic programs are:

• Lynn Bohecker, Counseling
• Jeanie Chapin, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Kate Christiaens, Audiology
• Jacqueline Fitch, Physician Assistant Studies
• Lindsey Hunt, Pharmacy
• Jennifer Montzka, Speech Language Pathology
• Kathryn Norton, Medical Laboratory Science
• Gloria “Lori” Price, Nursing, Undergraduate

Here’s the breakdown of graduate, professional and undergraduate degrees: two Doctor of Philosophy (Counselor Education and Counseling); eight Doctor of Audiology; 34 Doctor of Pharmacy; five Master of Counseling; 10 Master of Physical Education/Athletic Administration; 29 Master of Physician Assistant Studies; four Master of Public Health; 23 Master of Science (Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing and Speech Language Pathology); four Master of Education (School Psychology, Secondary Education); 73 Bachelor of Science (Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Educational Interpreting, Psychology, Sign Language Interpreting); 18 Associate of Science (Sign Language Studies, Nursing, Paramedic Science, and Geomatics) and 47 Associate of Arts (General Studies).

Graduates are encouraged to share their memories on social media at #isugrads.

The ISU-Meridian Health Science Center offers more than 25 graduate, undergraduate and online programs. Visit www.isu.edu/meridian.