Russell Sage College Celebrates 39 Doctor of Physical Therapy Graduates at 2024 Hooding and Pinning Ceremony

person in gradation cap and gown standing behind podium on a stage. — 2024 class speaker, DPT graduate Stephanie Mason, addresses the audience at the Hooding and Pinning Ceremony.

2 people standing on stage in graduation cap and gown smiling for camera — Arthur Wayne Baker Jr., DPT graduate and winner of the Outstanding Physical Therapy Student award and the NYNJ Clinical Education Consortium Anne-Marie Sirois Scholarship, with Dr. Erin Elkins, program chair.

2 people standing in graduation cap and gown smiling at camera on stage — Cierra Casale, DPT graduate and winner of the 2024 Louis H. Gross Award, with Dr. Erin Elkins, program chair.

Caitlyn Lopeck, DPT graduate and winner of the 2024 Eastern District APTA NY Student Award, with Dr. Erin Elkins, program chair.

Physical Therapy faculty at the 2024 Hooding and Pinning Ceremony at Bush Memorial on May 11, 2024.

Abigayle Greier, DPT graduate and winner of the 2024 Linda Sahr Weingarten Memorial Award, with Dr. Erin Elkins, program chair.

Our 39 Russell Sage College Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates were honored with a DPT Hooding and Pinning Ceremony on May 11, 2024, in Bush Memorial on the Troy campus.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Josh Funk, DPT, founder/CEO of Rehab 2 Perform. Dr. Funk became interested in becoming a physical therapist when going through physical therapy as a DI lacrosse player at The Ohio State University. After graduating from the University of Maryland-Baltimore with his DPT, Funk started Rehab 2 Perform in 2014.

Funk stressed to the graduates the importance of knowing their guiding values as they enter their careers and the work world. He advised this would allow them to be intentional in their responses to situations, including those beyond their control, which will lead to better outcomes and empowered clients.

“There are a multitude of dynamics, which will affect you professionally and personally, and it is essential that you make time to get deep with yourself,” he said. “You will undoubtedly encounter professional environments, personal circumstances, social situations, all of which will challenge you, and you’ll rely on your values and principles to guide you.“

The class speaker was DPT graduate Stephanie Mason, and several DPT students received awards:

Eastern District APTA NY Student Award

Caitlyn Lopeck

Linda Sahr Weingarten Memorial Award

Abigayle Greier

Louis H. Gross Award

Cierra Casale

Kathleen Harrington Memorial Award

Holden Maynard

Outstanding Physical Therapy Student

Arthur Wayne Baker Jr.

NYNJ Clinical Education Consortium Anne-Marie Sirois Scholarship

Arthur Wayne Baker Jr.

This year’s DPT graduates were:

Layah Adler

Arthur Baker

Emily Balasco

Cierra Casale

Guy Catz

Claire Connolly

Nicholas Darrow

Breanne Debarros

Colin Farrell

Andrew Gomo

Abigayle Greier

Jacob Greski

Emily Hoskinson

Nolin Huntley

Ashley Jones

Olivia Jones

Mackenna Jordan

Hallie Klosterman

Steven Leonard

Caitlyn Lopeck

Stephanie Mason

Holden Maynard

Sierra Miner

Sara O’Connor

Derek Palmeri

Carly Paquin

Caitlin Patterson

Elyse Piseczny

Allison Rosa

Jordan Rose

Eduardo Sanchez

Omar Santiago-Rodriguez

Abbey Smith

Mikayla Spiak

Danielle Spooner

Kyerra Stanley

Cassandra Stier

Paul Tillyer

Jared Young

The full recording of the 2024 Russell Sage College Doctor of Physical Therapy Hooding and Pinning Ceremony.

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