Graduation Banquet

May 2, 2007

By Craig Reed

Students from the Class of 2007 gathered together one last time as a student body for this year's graduation banquet which was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Lansing, Michigan. Students mingled with faculty and staff while getting reacquainted with their fellow classmates.

During the banquet, students were recognized with the following awards:

The Carnegie Medal for Academic Excellence
First Place - Katie A. Picucci
Second Place - Sarah A. Martin
Awarded to graduating students with best overall academic score from non-clinical course

Family and Community Medicine Achievement Award for Clinical Performance
Bethany A. Milton
Awarded to a graduating student who has most clearly exemplified an ongoing interest and proficiency in the field of family medicine

The Donna Jones-Moritsugu Award
Kenneth Fish (husband to Diane Mater)
Awarded to the spouse of a graduating student who best exemplifies the role of a professional's partner

The Annette Kabara Memorial Award
Laurel A. Flores and Carrie S. Shearer
Awarded to graduating students who are parents having faced special challenges

The Paul S. McCord, D. O., Memorial Award
Mona Abdallah Fakih
Awarded to a graduating student on the basis of commitment to community service, primary care disciplines and service to medically underserved areas

Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians Student of the Year Award
Diane M. Mater
Awarded to the graduating student who has shown leadership, involvement, and dedication to osteopathic family medicine

Walter C. Mill, D.O., F.A.C.O.S., Award for Excellence in Surgery
Sarah A. Martin
Awarded to a graduating student who best exemplifies educational excellence in surgery, the surgical subspecialties and anesthesiology

Fred L. Mitchell Sr., D.O., F.A.A.O., Memorial Award
Stacey L. Pierce-Talsma
Awarded to graduating students for exceptional achievement in the field of osteopathic manipulative medicine.

The Clinical Neuroscience Award
Margaret R. Pingle
Awarded to the graduating student who has shown the most promise in didactic training and clinical skills in neuroscience.

In addition, the students recognized several faculty and staff with awards as well:

Basic Science Faculty Award
John Li-Ming Wang, Ph.D., professor, Biochemistry and Molecular biology
Awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching basic science and seeks to integrate basic science education with clinical medicine

Clinical Science Faculty Award
Peter G. Gulick, D.O., associate professor, Internal Medicine
Awarded to a faculty member who has demonstrated dedication to excellence in teaching integrated clinical sciences in systems courses.

Dedication to Teaching Award
Ralph F. Otten, D.O., professor, Internal Medicine
Awarded to a faculty member who has demonstrated dedication to excellence in teaching integrated clinical sciences in systems courses.

Distinguished Lecturer Award
David J. Strobl, D.O., professor, Internal Medicine
Awarded to a faculty member whose lectures are most clear, coherent, instructive, and well presented

Osteopathic Faculty Award
Mark R. Gugel, D.O., associate professor, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Awarded to a faculty member for excellence in the teaching and practice of osteopathic manipulative techniques

Student Support Award
Barbara S. Sinclair (posthumously), office assistant, Office of Student Services
Awarded to a staff member who has worked above and beyond the call of duty to provide support and assistance to individual students or student organizations.