The University of Arkansas graduated nearly 1,900 Razorbacks from its colleges on Saturday, December 16.
Approximately 1,400 students were scheduled to “walk” in the fall commencement at Bud Walton Arena. Among them were 367 College of Education and Health Professions students — 248 undergraduates and 119 at the graduate level.
The day also marked the graduation of 23 students from the second-ever cohort of the college’s Occupational Therapy doctoral program.
Prior to Saturday’s commencement, the program hosted a doctoral hooding and pinning ceremony just for their graduates and families at the Faulkner Performing Arts Center on campus.
In the days leading up to graduation, students gave doctoral capstone project presentations, which revolved around the program’s mission to be change agents, innovators, collaborators, advocates, stewards, and scholars. The capstone projects allowed the graduate students to address health disparities or develop innovative occupational therapy practices by applying what they’ve learned in real-life situations to their chosen practice area. Students’ projects included supporting children with executive function challenges, working with neonatal intensive care babies, and empowering older adults to improve their health.
The occupational therapy doctoral program is a collaboration between the U of A College of Education and Health Professions and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Health Professions. It’s the first joint clinical program between the two universities, which provides enhanced support and services for students in the program. The program welcomed its fifth cohort of 28 new doctoral students this January.
Occupational Therapy doctoral students from the 2023 cohort pose for a photo after their hooding ceremony on the Friday prior to commencement.
