06/02/2026
May was a fitting finish to an incredible academic year—one marked by discovery, achievement, service, and celebration.
Our Occupational Therapy (OT) and undergraduate nursing research teams showcased their work at the Valparaiso University Symposium on Research and Creative Expression. Graduating OTD students presented their capstone projects, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates spent a busy week on campus sharing evidence-based practice projects through oral and poster presentations focused on clinical solutions and improvements in healthcare.
Student success was on full display as CONHP swept the Graduate Student Leadership & Service Awards and 19 graduate students were inducted into the Athenaeum Honor Society. The OT program celebrated its inaugural entry-level OTD graduating cohort, while DNP students marked an important milestone at the White Coat Ceremony. We also honored our graduates at CONHP's 9th Annual Recognition Ceremony and during Commencement.
The month also provided many opportunities to recognize the people who make our community special—from Teacher Appreciation Week and Nurses Week to welcoming nursing alumni back to campus to mentor graduating students. We honored retiring nursing faculty member Dr. Christine Paquin on receiving Professor Emeritus status and welcomed a new accelerated nursing cohort as they begin their journey at Valpo.
Faculty and student excellence were recognized nationally as Drs. Julie Brandy, Theresa Kessler, and Rachel Fischer, along with Professor Grace Gass, received the Research Advances in College Health Award at the American College Health Association’s national conference for their work developing a new depression risk screening tool for college freshmen. Our Physician Assistant program also represented CONHP at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) Conference in New Orleans, competing as one of 87 teams in the Challenge Bowl, a fast-paced medical knowledge competition.
Thank you to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters for making May a month that reflects the very best of CONHP.