Commencement ceremony marks a first for Northwestern Health Sciences University

December 23, 2011 — Northwestern Health Sciences University awarded its first Associate of Applied Sciences degrees in Massage Therapy at a commencement Dec. 17.

The School of Massage Therapy was accredited to confer the degree earlier this year. Nine students received an AAS degree, and an additional 10 students received a certificate in massage therapy. The College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine also presented degrees to 12 students.

The presidential greeting was delivered by Mark T. Zeigler, DC, president of Northwestern Health Sciences University. For the School of Massage Therapy graduation, Julie Ottis gave the student greeting, and Taffie Lewis, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals National Program Liaison and Education Facilitator, gave the commencement address.

Maureen Feeney gave the student greeting for the College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine commencement, and the commencement address was delivered by Mary Tuchscherer, DC, MS, PhD, professor and chair, Basic Sciences Department and Faculty Senate President for Northwestern.

The graduates are as follows.

Receiving a certificate from the School of Massage Therapy:

• Krista Balmer
• Sarah Kathryn Buck
• Michaela Ann DeLong
• Heidi Lou Huebscher
• Allison Marie Knutsen
• Rick Dennis Pavlik
• Amber Terrill
• Elizabeth Thomas
• Kristen Walerius
• Brigitte A. Worde

Receiving an Associate of Applied Science degree in Massage Therapy:

• Crystal Rose Bentz
• Benjamin Bjorgaard
• Rebecca Edwards
• Laura A. Evans
• Carol Anne Mathewson
• Melody J. Nelson
• Julie A. Ottis
• LeAnn Sarazin
• Gabrielle Elyse Smith

Receiving a Master’s degree in Acupuncture:

• Lisa M. Nelson
• Michelle Loken Price
• Amy Lynne Schroeder

Receiving a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine:

• Lauren Elizabeth Demet
• Maureen Kathleen Feeney
• James S. Hicks
• Carolyn Lee Holland
• Erin Michelle Kelly
• Adriane Maag
• Jenel Renae Sandquist
• Kristina Marie Sherman
• David Edward Simmons
• Regina Alexandra Tarara
• Marnie L. Wing
• Jeffrey John Zachman

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University, www.nwhealth.edu