ASHS holds spring commencement ceremony
Posted: March 10, 2014
A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) held its spring commencement ceremony for six online programs on March 7 at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Ariz. More than 150 students earned a Master of Science or doctoral degree at the ceremony.
Graduates received post-professional degrees in human movement, occupational therapy, advanced physician assistant studies, audiology, doctor of health sciences, and physical therapy. This was the first time many students had met each other in person, since they all acquired their degrees through distance education.
“This graduation highlights the working professionals in their respective professions who have elected to advance to their next degree,” said ATSU-ASHS Dean Randy Danielsen, PhD, PA-C, DFAAPA. Founded in 1995, ATSU-ASHS is committed to educating and preparing its students to practice at the forefront of a rapidly growing healthcare system.
During the commencement ceremony, a keynote address was given by Donald M. Pederson, PhD, PA-C, professor, University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, who received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. In his address, Dr. Pederson advocated that ATSU-ASHS graduates be part of the solution to the world’s problems.“You have a solemn responsibility to make sure that you are always on the forefront of the ever-changing healthcare landscape, and your education at ATSU has prepared you very well for this challenge,” said Dr. Pederson.