CSU-OT 2020 Graduation Slideshow

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WELCOME!

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
CLASS OF 2020

SCRAPBOOK OF THE VIRTUAL PRESENTATION OF M.S., M.O.T., AND PH.D. GRADUATES

MAY 15, 2020

*SPECIAL THANKS TO Dr. Andy Persch for Facilitating This Presentation* COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE
DR. ANITA BUNDY

Professor and Department Head, Sc.D., OTR/L, FAOTA, FOTARA

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In a TED talk, now available on Facebook, author Neil Gamin spoke about resilience—a topic on all our minds as we gather to celebrate your graduation. I borrow
his words because they are elegant and meaningful.
There are so many fragile things.
After all, people break so easily and so do dreams and hearts.
And yet, as I write this it occurs to me that the peculiarity of most things we think of as fragile is how
very powerful they truly are.
There were tricks we did with eggs as children to show how very strong they could be.
Tiny load‐bearing marble holes.
Or the beat of the wings of a butterfly, we’re told, in the right place, can create a hurricane across an
ocean.
Hearts may break, but hearts are the toughest of muscles, able to pump for a lifetime, 70 times a
minute, and scarcely falter along the way.
Even dreams, the most delicate and intangible of things, can prove remarkably difficult to kill.
Stories, like people and butterflies and songbirds’ eggs and human hearts and dreams, are also fragile
things, made up of nothing stronger or more lasting than 26 letters and a handful of punctuation marks.
Or they’re words on the air composed of sounds and ideas; abstract, invisible,
Gone once they’ve been spoken. And what could be more fragile than that?
But some stories, small simple ones about people setting out on adventures, or people experiencing
wonders,
Tales of miracles and monsters have outlasted all the people who told them.
And some of them have outlasted the lands in which they were created.
We are tougher than we seem. We are tougher than we think.
Our stories will outlive us; let’s make them good.
We are all feeling so fragile now.
But we are tougher than we think.
What you have accomplished in these last two years is remarkable and worthy of a celebration.
The stories of your lives and accomplishments will outlive you.
Make them good.
Best of luck‐‐ and safe lives. To us all.

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PRESENTATION OF M.S. AND M.O.T GRADUATES
DR. SHELLY LANE

Professor and Program Director, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA

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Thank you so much for this opportunity and for welcoming me to your CSU community. And, congratulations to you all!
When I do talks like this, I look to others for inspiration. So let me start with a couple quotes from a book Anita and I found while working on the 3rd
edition of the Si Theory and Practice text. The book is Lima Beans Would Be Illegal. Children’s Ideas of a Perfect World. Robert Bender. As you might
expect this books has a wealth of quotes that might fit these current times, and while the book is relatively short, I will read only a couple.
The first quote is, of course, “Lima beans would be illegal”, by 11 year old Amanda Fox. This suggests that yucky things would not happen. We. Know.
They. Do.
Second, written by Craig Gillmeyer, age 10. “In a perfect world you could be able to fast-forward the day or rewind the day like on a remote control.”
If only, eh? But, my remote is not working. So let me wax profound…
You are, will be, OTs. You know to build on the strengths and skills your clients will bring to the table. I strongly urge you to do the same for yourself.
Attend to your strengths, use them wisely, but also make friends with your vulnerabilities. Strengths and vulnerabilities will lead you towards things in
which you excel, and areas where there is room for growth. Along those growth lines, take chances. You never really know the extent of what lays inside
of you. Each of you has amazing gifts, do what you can with what you have been given, and develop the rest. Do not focus on perfection; in doing so
you risk missing out on the things that really bring you happiness and joy. Define yourself by what you love.
Importantly, stay connected, to your classmates, your mentors, your friends. Humans are social by nature; we do best connected to others. For now this
appears to be virtual or behind masks. Make it work.
Keep in mind that small steps add up to big journeys. We could apply this to our current situation, taking baby steps toward finishing this graduate
program, toward becoming an OT, toward a new normal. Considerate these small successes now, and think about the small steps that will add to big
gains as you pursue your career.
Let me end with another Robert Bender quote, this time from his 2nd book, Never Eat Anything that Moves. Good, Bad, and Very Silly Advice from Kids.
Matt Fleming, age 12 tells us to “Use brussel sprouts for golf balls”. I take this to mean, find a silver lining in everything life throws at you. If you don’t
like it, or don’t like the intended purpose, find another thing or another way.
One final comment, do not view problems as stop signs; they do not exist to derail you. Consider them instead as guideposts. They will guide you to find
another route, to find another way. Don’t stop trying. We may know what we are and where we are, but we do not know what we might be or where we
might go.
It has been a pleasure to get to know at least some of you this past year. I know you will excel, and wish you all the best.
-Shelly

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Heather Allen, Amanda Beaton, Jennifer Boswell, Haley Bruckner,
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Haylee Candray, Jessica Cornette, Chad DesMarteau, Anna Fox, Alexa Fryer,
M.S. M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Michael Graham, Brooke Gratza, Nathan Haines, Stella Hecht, Natasha Hedding,
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Lauren Helbling, Hayley Helton, Sue Herring, Kristina Ihrig, Charla Kinkel,
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.S M.S

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Gina Larson, Stephani Long, Caitlin Martin, Lindsey Messenger,
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.S.

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Michael Mitter, Cassie Navarro, Kristina Nguyen, Delaney Olinger, Gabrielle Oltman-
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T Reid, M.O.T

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Cassandra Park, Amy Penaskovic, Terah Perran, Kendra Petersen, Emily Predny,
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Susan Riesett, Mia Routh, Jenna Russell, Tara Saideman, Claire Simpson,
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.S

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Rachel Sipes, Rachel Sjostrand, Marnie Smith, Sarah Stark,
M.O.T M.S M.O.T M.O.T

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Emmy Steele, Cassandra Jolie Surber, Cameron Swab, Samantha
M.O.T Stevenson, M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T Swenson, M.O.T

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Ashleigh Tarango, Ellen Terry, Emily Vaughan, Zach Williams, Ben Zentner,
M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T M.O.T

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PRESENTATION OF PH.D. GRADUATES
DR. MATT MALCOLM

Professor and Program Director, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA

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Good afternoon and congratulations to all of our students. At this point in our virtual
ceremony, I want to especially recognize our doctoral graduates, who have successfully
completed their PhD in Occupation and Rehabilitation Science at Colorado State University.
The ORS program at CSU is enjoying its 7th year of training a new cadre of researchers and
educators. One may assume such a relatively young program is still working to establish
itself. However, such a time-based judgement is incongruent with the accomplishments of
our graduates and current students. Our past graduates have gone on to prestigious
institutions and are conducting critically important research that moves our field forward
and expands our knowledge. The PhD graduates we recognize today--Dr. Brett Berg, Dr.
Becca Lassell, and Dr. Julie Silver-Seidle--will now become part of our PhD program’s
admittedly new but truly impactful legacy. They will join a successful group of scientists who
advance our evidence-base, the practices of occupational therapy and rehabilitation, and
the education of future practitioners and researchers.
-Matt

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Brett Berg, Ph.D. CONGRATULATIONS!

Brett was one of the first students in our program, and all of this time he has been balancing a
demanding (but rewarding) job, his family, and his education—to great success. An
experienced clinician with expertise in measurement, he entered the Occupation and
Rehabilitation Science program at Colorado State University with a passion to combine modern
test theory and occupational therapy theory with a goal of advancing the development of
occupation-centered assessment tools. During his PhD education, Brett has collaborated with
other researchers to apply Rasch analysis methods—an approach in which he has expertise—to
examine the psychometric properties of occupational therapy assessment tools. As an
example, he collaborated with his mentor, Dr. Karen Atler, to further develop one of those
assessment tools, the Daily Experiences of Pleasure, Productivity, and Restoration Profile, and
publish a new assessment tool, the Occupational Experience Profile (OEP). Brett has
published articles in the Journal of Applied Measurement, Scandinavian Journal of
Occupational Therapy, and American Journal of Occupational Therapy. He has also presented
his research at a number of scientific conferences and serves as a reviewer for the
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. After earning his Ph.D. from Colorado State
University, Brett will continue to work for the Center for Innovative OT Solutions (CIOTS), where
he plans to collaborate with others to develop and advance the use of new occupation-
centered assessment tools. I congratulate Dr. Berg and look forward to the contributions his
future work will continue make to the field.

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Rebecca Lassell, CONGRATULATIONS!
Ph.D.
Becca is an award-winning new scientist who conducts state-of-the-art research in
equine-assisted therapeutic programs for individuals with dementia and their care
partners. And she became a new mom while completing this important work! Although
equine-assisted programs have existed for a couple decades, the science of this
approach has lagged. Under the mentorship of Dr. Wendy Wood, Becca’s dissertation is
helping to fill this gap by scientifically developing an equine-assisted activity program
aimed at increasing the quality of life for older adults with dementia and their care
partners. During her time at CSU, Becca has served as a research assistant at the
Temple Grandin Equine Center, a member the transdisciplinary Enriched Environments
for the Healthy Aging Brain team, and as a member of the interdisciplinary Multi-Species
Dementia: International Research Network. She has published her work in prestigious
journals and presented at several national conferences. In 2018, Becca received the
Excellence in Research and Scholarship Award from the College of Health and Human
Sciences for her important research. Becca is exploring a number of excellent options for
her post-PhD work. I congratulate Dr. Lassell and look forward to the contributions her
future work will continue make to the field.

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Julie Silver Seidle, CONGRATULATIONS!
Ph.D.
Julie Silver Seidle began her OT journey at CSU in 2004. As I was in my first year working at
CSU (struggling to figure out what a professor actually was), Julie was one of my favorite
students because of her drive to learn, practical thinking, and patience with me. After earning
her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2006, Julie went on to practice in a variety of
practice settings and she eventually discovered her passion for community-based work at
Elderhaus & Mindset Adult Day Programs where she built an OT program and now serves as
Director of Therapy & Integrated Services. Julie returned to CSU OT in the fall of 2015 to begin
the Occupation and Rehabilitation Science PhD program. Under the guidance of her advisor,
Pat Sample, Julie has worked as a research assistant addressing issues related to farmer
stress and mental health as well as support services for caregivers of individuals with
traumatic brain injury. Julie’s dissertation examines the experience of spousal caregivers of
individuals with dementia and the role of occupation in resilience and identity during the
bereavement phase of the caregiver journey. Julie has also taught in our department and
works with Dr. James Graham in the Center for Community Partnerships to develop a
community-engaged research team to address issues around aging in Northern Colorado.
Following graduation, she plans on continuing her work and research with the Center for
Community Partnerships in the areas of community resilience, aging, caregiving, and
community-engaged approaches to aging in communities of choice. I congratulate Dr. Silver
Seidle and look forward to the contributions her future work will continue make to the field.

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FACULTY SPEAKER
DR. KAREN ATLER

Associate Professor, Ph.D., OTR

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Class of 2020
Congratulations on your amazing accomplishments and continued growth during a time of unprecedented change! Each of you have accomplished so
much, and I hope that you are able to take time to share and celebrate your accomplishments with friends and family over the next few months.
Today I would like to take a moment to celebrate the occupational therapy class of 2020; to take a look at who you are, and have become, what you have
done, and the connections you have made – collectively as a whole class. –
Each of you has chosen to become a part of the occupational therapy profession, which aims to serve individuals, families, groups, communities and
societies through the use of everyday occupations; to enable people to be able to engage in their lives through doing, being, becoming and belonging.
As a collective, your class – the Class of 2020, possesses many qualities that will allow you to promote and enable change both within and outside the
profession. Your class has the capacity to assist the profession of occupational therapy to better understand and meet the needs of society. I’d like to
take a moment to share a few examples.
You have shown and encouraged us through your actions; how to enact the CSU principles of community; to be inclusive, to be respectful, and to serve
others to ensure social and occupational justice. In your day to day interactions with each other, and those in the broader CSU-OT community, you have
shown acceptance and sensitivity to how people learn differently, and how people value and care about different things - always being respectful of each
other. Your passion for service and justice were seen in small and large ways, always displayed with great generosity. Whether it was providing a smile,
checking in with a peer to see how they were, offering to review a paper, or engaging in around 200 hours of volunteer work in the local community, or
committing to putting a silent auction on line in order to raise more money to support those in need within our own community. You have shown amazing
care and commitment. This care and commitment has not only provided a wonderful example for the CSU-OT community, but you have personally gleaned
so much more – long lasting friendships, valued colleagues, and perhaps future partnerships as you move forward in your careers.
As a class, you have demonstrated resiliency during this unprecedented time. Most of you left for spring break, to never return to the CSU-OT building due
to the rapidly changing dynamics of dealing with COVID-19. Despite the change, you have taken advantage of the opportunity to learn through living
through this time; learning to manage stress, maintain perspective and interact together, even while social distancing. You have learned much about your
selves, and about the power of occupation, and have even begun to see how this experience can help you in your role as an occupational therapist. As
Vince Lombardi said…these moments in our lives are not to be buried and forgotten. Rather they are a memory to be called upon for inspiration to
remind us of the relenting human spirit and our capacity to overcome…”. We here at CSU-OT encourage you to continue to seek, and engage in your own
occupations as well as to encourage your clients’ engagement in occupations that are necessary for health and well-being; occupations of doing, being,
becoming and belonging.

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So as you head on, I’d like to end with an abridged version of a poem that I adapted from Dr. Seuss’ poem on the meaning of graduation combined
with Dr. Karen Hammell’s work on the meaning of occupation entitled: Oh the OT You will Be:
The abridged version begins with the words about life from Dr. Seuss ----

“Out there things can happen At times you will have unwavering confidence
And frequently do But even if it falters remember your competence
To people as heady and footsy as you” The opportunities in front of you are numerous
You’ll need to take time to reflect with care Some will be chosen, others fortuitous
To keep your heart, mind and soul from despair In either instance approach them all with your
With reasoning in your head, compassion
Connections so widespread And be sure to stay aligned with your passion
And all your experiences in your shoes “And will you succeed?
Equipped you will go to avoid the blues Yes You will, Indeed!
On and on you will learn and grow (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)”
And we know that you’ll go far
To reach your visions
Whatever they are

CLASS of 2020- YOU WILL CHANGE OUR WORLD
You’re off to be and become the OT you will be
Today is your day!
Your future is waiting
Blessings to you as you head on your way!
And remember - we here at CSU-OT believe in you!
-Karen

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Congrats to
the M.S.OT

and
M.OT
Students!

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IF WE CAN’T BE TOGETHER TO COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES
CELEBRATE OUR
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ACHIEVEMENT WE MIGHT AS
WELL RE-LIVE THE MOMENTS

THAT WE TOOK TO GET TO
WHERE WE ARE TODAY…

LEARNING THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES
SKILLS…
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Hi All,
It has been my pleasure to engage with you through OT 631 and OT 641. I
have been most impressed by your abilities as students, future practitioners,
and caring friends and colleagues. Go and do good in this world! Please stay
in touch…
Warm regards,
Aaron Eakman

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“Thank you to the Class of 2020 for
your warm welcome last fall, and
tolerance of my initial lack of
mobility! On a broader note, thank
you from the depths of my heart for
your tolerance of the very unusual
circumstances in which we find
ourselves. There are still so many
challenges to face, but I know you
will face them with open minds and
heart. You will each be a credit to
CSU.”
- Shelly Lane

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CSU-OT Pi Theta Members

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MAKING ALL THE COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES
GROUP WORK MORE
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FUN AND A LITTLE
LESS TEDIOUS!

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“You have brains in your
head and feet in your
shoes, you can steer
yourself in any direction
you choose!” –Dr. Seuss
–Debi Krogh-Michna

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CULTURAL EXCHANGE
WITH A VISIT TO
YAMAGATA AND

YAMAGATA VISITORS!

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Thank you very much for inviting us for
the ceremony.
We would like to express our heartiest
congratulations on graduating from CSU.
We wish the CSU students all the best in
this new chapter of their lives.
Sincerely,
Toshi and Kayoko (Yamagata Professors)

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Yamagata
Visitors
Spring
2019

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Mark Twain famously said that there are 2 important days in a person’s life: the day you are born and
the day you find out why. Each student graduating today has spent the last 2 years of his or her life not
only studying meaning but trying to find meaning and purpose through the pursuit of the occupational
therapy degree.

You are about to enter a profession that will change you in ways that you could never imagine today.
There are two things I want you to keep in mind as you go along this journey. The first is to commit to
being your best and most authentic self every day. Never allow anyone or anything to pressure you into
compromising who you are and what you believe.

The second is to surround yourself with joy and gratitude. Working as an OT is a privileged position
because we bear witness to the range and extremes of the human experience. We see a side of life that
most people are completely unaware of and frankly take for granted until it is lost. And if we are wise, we
use that vantage point to realize the things in our life that really matter: relationships, experiences and
quiet moments of absolute happiness.

If you are fortunate, somewhere along the path of helping others, you will realize that the person you
have helped the most is actually yourself. Because practicing occupational therapy will give you the
greatest gift imaginable: the gift of appreciation for a life well lived.

-With love and respect, Lisa Fyffe

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AND OF COURSE, COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES
PLENTY OF
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OCCUPATIONAL
BALANCE…

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