OTD News Volume VII, Issue 2

Page 6 OTD News, Volume VII, Issue By: Mirtha Whaley, Ph.D., OTR/L Our Entry Level Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program in Tampa was well represented at the Seven- teenth Annual Student Life Achievement Awards (STUEYs) on April 12, at the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center in Fort Lauderdale, with a finalist in each of four categories as follows: Dr. Ricar- do Carrasco, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, Professor and Program Director, nominated for Administrator of the Year; Mirtha M. Whaley, Ph.D., MPH, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, nominated for Professor of the Year; Karla Quiñones, Program Support Coordinator, nominated for Staff Person of the Year; and Jordan Powers, third year OTD student, finalist and winner in the category of Regional Campus Student of the Year. All NSU faculty, staff, and students are eligible for nomination. Finalists are selected by the Nominating Committee comprised of professionals across all NSU campuses representing our various colleges, centers, schools, and departments. Finalists represent the embodiment of NSU’s core values of Academic Excel- lence, Student Centeredness, Integrity, Innovation, Opportunity, Scholarship/Research, Diversity, and Community Award finalists and their guests enjoyed an evening of festivities, beginning with a reception honoring all finalists, who were presented with a beautiful crystal trophy in the form of a shark fin, fashioned after the NSU mascot. At the award presentation honorees and their guests were treated to skits, musical, and dance performances, showcasing NSU talent. For those of us representing the regional campuses, our evening culminated with a dinner at Buca di Beppo hosted by the Division of Student Affairs. Our thanks to Brit- tany Matthews, Assistant Director of Student Affairs in the Tampa Campus for her assistance with travel and accommodations, and to all Regional Campus Student Affairs personnel for a wonderful celebration. 2016 Student Life Achievement Awards Jordan Powers, OTD-S Dr. Mirtha M. Whaley, Dr. Ricardo C. Carrasco, Dr. George L. Hanbury II, NSU President, Karla M. Quinoñes