Friday, September 11

SCHOLARSHIP CONVOCATION2020

hhp.ufl.edu/convocation

to our generous sponsors

P R O G R A M

THANK YOU

• WELCOME & DEAN’S REMARKS Dr. Michael B. Reid

• RECOGNITION & PRESENTATIONS

Bob & Becky Allen

Dr. Tom Bell

Rob, Michelle & Caroline Leeman

Paul Spangenberg

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE

Brian Avery (Chair)Anna GardnerHeather GibsonJulio RodriguezMichelle SmithSarah Eberhart (Ex. Officio)Christopher Janelle (Ex. Officio)

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ALLEN/HOLYOAK/ VARNES ENDOWEDThis scholarship was established by Dr. Robert Allen, Dr. Owen Holyoak and Dr. Paul Varnes — retired professors and supporters of the college who served the university for decades.recipients:• Nioud Gebru• Theresa Hauge• Daniel Moolchand• Bensey Pierre-Louis• Grant Tays

ERASTE AUTIN Established in memory of Eraste Autin, an exceptional student and an All-American fullback. This scholarship is awarded to full-time students in the athletic training education program with an exemplary academic record and involvement in the community.recipients:• Alexander Alvarez• Rashard Hammonds

ANDREW & MATTHEW BELL HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE ENDOWMENT This scholarship was created by Dr. Thomas H. Bell in honor of his sons. Tom is an HHP grad, a life member of the UF Alumni Association and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.recipient:• Angela Cardenas

PATRICK J. BIRD DISSERTATION AWARD Dean Emeritus Patrick J. Bird established the award to recognize doctoral students with exceptional promise and to encourage the highest levels of scholarship, research and scientific impact as they complete their dissertation.recipient:• Kathleen Hupfeld

S C H O L A R S H I P S

BLAIS/BLAKETeri Blais and Patty Blake were introduced through their love of recreational tennis and are both alumni of the Gator Nation. Teri & Jacques Blais and Patty & Mark Blake (also, a UF alumnus) join together to share many University of Florida moments and would like to pass along that opportunity to future generations through an endowed scholarship.recipient:• Lindzy Suchomelly

ELLIOT BORKSON-LEO GOODWIN FOUNDATION Elliot Borkson is a two-time graduate of UF, receiving a B.S. in accounting and J.D. with honors. Funding is provided by the Leo Goodwin Foundation where Mr. Borkson serves as a trustee. The scholarship recognizes outstanding Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars from Broward County.recipient:• Sashaun Ranger

C.A. BOYD ENDOWED Dr. C.A. Boyd was dean of the college from 1970-1986 and was responsible for a reorganization of the college.recipients:• Daniel Ajabshir• Phebe Brocke• Palani Te

MICHAEL SCOTT CARN MEMORIAL Julia and Ron Pinnell, double HHP grad and HHP Hall of Fame member, created the Michael Scott Carn Memorial Scholarship in memory of their nephew. Michael was a gentle soul and a great Gator fan.recipients:• Amanda Miller• Brian Tran

DARLIN FAMILY This scholarship was created by Sally Darlin, an HHP and College of Public Health and Health Professions graduate.recipients:• Allison Hollaway• Melyn Jessell• Alexis Tamvakis

WENDELL & JACKIE DAVIS ENDOWED Wendell Davis, BSPE ’64 & MPH ’67, and his wife, Jackie, are generous supporters of the college and members of HHP’s Legacy Society.recipient:• Zachery Casella

ALEX DIAZ This scholarship was created by Alex Diaz, who is a double HHP sport management Gator. He created this scholarship to recognize and support students interested in pursuing careers in facility operations.recipient:• Joshua Vadevoncoeur

ABBY DOUGHERTY APK UNDERGRADUATE ENDOWED MEMORIAL The Abby Dougherty APK Memorial scholarship was established to honor the memory of UF junior Abby Dougherty, whose compassion and encouragement to help others find their own path and purpose surpassed all. This award goes to an APK junior who is dedicated to serving fellow students, the community and their future career.recipient:• Taylor Beatty

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JANE EDMONDS FELLOWSHIP This fund was established by MG Maury Edmonds in honor of his wife — a graduate of the college and a member of the HHP Hall of Fame. MG Edmonds is a distinguished alumnus of UF who served 35 years in the U.S. Army and is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam conflict.recipient:• Emily Tobin

DANNY EGGART ENDOWED MEMORIAL Danny is a 1965 graduate of the college. This scholarship helps students from the Escambia County area attend UF and earn a degree from HHP.recipients:• Taylor Batten• Terrence Vialva

FABULOUS 50’S HILL BRANNON ENDOWED Former Gator football players Perry McGriff, Joel Wahlberg, manager Maurice Edmonds and the entire Fabulous Fifties players established this scholarship in honor of team manager Hill Brannon for his dedication to the Fabulous 50’s reunions held each year since 1977.recipient:• Kate Balthaser

FAGERBERG ENDOWED Awarded in remembrance of the parents and sister (Walter and Opal Fagerberg and Laraine Franze) of Dr. Seigfred Fagerberg, HEB professor emeritus.recipients:• Kerrie Corcoran• Tessa Frohe• Raya McGuire

DRS. FAGERBERG- VARNES ENDOWED The scholarship honors Dr. Fagerberg, the first chairman and a professor of Health Science Education, and Dr. Jill Varnes, former assistant dean and interim dean of the college.recipient:• Cosette Brown

CHARLES FESSLER JR Charles W. Fessler, Jr. received his B.S. in 1968 and his Ed.S. in 1971. He was actively involved in the intramural sports program and officiated for high school and college sports for more than 40 years.recipient:• Jack Ward

JUDITH FESSLER Judy has been an active Girl Scout leader and advisor since 1971. She and her husband, Charles, are avid Gator fans and supporters of the college.recipient:• Olivia Taylor

CHARLES FESSLER, SR. & MIRIAM A. FESSLER This annual scholarship is donated by the Fessler’s son, daughter-in-law, and their grandchildren in gratitude for the love and support given to them throughout the years. The Fesslers were avid supporters of UF and the college.recipient:• Sada Ahmed

DAVE FULLER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Former UF baseball players established this scholarship in honor of coach Dave Fuller. Fuller was the head coach of the Florida Gators baseball team from 1948-1975, serving longer and winning more games than any other coach in the history of the Florida Gators intercollegiate sports program.recipients:• Michelle Castro• Lisa Kurian

SIDNEY J. GEFEN, BARBARA & LARRY JAFFE Mr. Gefen was awarded the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from HHP for outstanding service to the tourism and recreation industries. The Lawrence and Barbara Jaffe Family established this scholarship to recognize Mr. Gefen’s achievements and to encourage the continuation of his efforts.recipients:• Katherine Carcamo• Julia Clow• Shawna Gray• Larissa Neuburger• Gabriela Olivera• Hyejin Park• Madelyn Sabis• Luyu Wang• Yuhua Xu• Eunjung Yang

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SIDNEY J. GEFEN SCHOLARSHIP FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM This scholarship is given by the Lawrence and Barbara Jaffe Family (Mr. Gefen’s daughter) in memory of Mr. Gefen, a visionary leader in the tourism industry, to supports students selected for their contributions to the industry through innovative research.recipients:• Larissa Neuburger• Eunjung Yang

GRAND GUARD UF’s Grand Guard Society celebrates Gators who have reached the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Every year, Grand Guard inductees support this scholarship in honor of their special reunion.recipients:• Abdulelah Al-Tokhais• Leah Barnes

GUTHRIE FAMILY Maria and Bill Guthrie, who met while students at UF, established the Guthrie family scholarship to support a student in SPM. They are deeply committed to education and to scholarships.recipient:• Mariel White

THOMAS F HAYES IV ENDOWED MEMORIAL Maryanne Cunningham established this scholarship in loving memory of her son. Thomas was a student in the college and a participant in the Team Florida Cycling Club.recipient:• Joshua Starcher

HEALTH SOLUTIONS ENDOWED Created to give back to the college and aid others in search of a quality education, HHP Alumni Bill and Kevin Clair established this scholarship in appreciation of their instruction here.recipient:• Chelsea Chappell

CHARLES LAPRADD FELLOWSHIP Dr. Charles W. LaPradd is celebrated as one of the greatest Gator football players in UF history. He established this endowed fund to enable students to complete their doctoral degrees.recipient:• Marisa Eleanor Mulvey

DR. NORMA M LEAVITT ENDOWED Faculty member of the college for 28 years, Dr. Norma Leavitt first came to Gainesville in 1953 to chair the Department of Required Physical Education for Women.recipients:• Kaitlyn Abella• Sidney Baudendistel• Alexandra Chavez

LEE-MCCACHREN ENDOWED This scholarship is in tribute to P.A. Lee and Jim “Coach Mac” McCachren. Lee was a baseball coach for many years and an avid handball and racquetball player. Coach Mac was a former assistant coach with the men’s basketball team and was one of the original members of the faculty when the college opened in 1946.recipients:• Hannah Bruns• Edward Klem• Hui Jean Kok• Sydney Somers

LEFAVI FAMILYThe LeFavi Family appreciates the lifelong impact of education on young people and created the LeFavi Family Endowed Scholarship to support students who are motivated to achieve their personal best.recipient:• Emily Dolce

JACK & JOY MASSON A graduate of the college, Jack served as the director of the Brevard County Parks and Recreation Department. He is a member of HHP’s Alumni Hall of Fame since 2011. Jack and Joy are active in HHP events and activities.recipient:• Megan Vaughn

DAVID & LINDA MCCAUGHEY ENDOWED This fellowship was established in 2002 by the McCaughey’s daughter, Molly, in honor of her parents.recipient:• Vivian Doerr

MCGRIFF FAMILY ENDOWED Perry McGriff, Class of 1960, is a “Gator Great” in the UF Athletic Hall of Fame and a member of HHP’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. He served in the Florida House of Representatives, as mayor of Gainesville and democratic nominee for a seat in the Florida Senate. He and his wife, Noel, have long been involved in the Gainesville community.recipient:• Emily Plunkett

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MARK & JULIE MCGRIFF FAMILY Mark, Julie, and their family are long-time supporters of the college. Mark is a member of HHP’s Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame and a former Gator football player. Julie earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Journalism and Communications.recipients:• Chase Jacob• Kalena Miles

JOSEPH MONROEJoseph Monroe funded this scholarship to support HHP students because he is determined to add value to other’s lives. He aims to be a person who continues to add value to those around him, and giving back to students from his alma mater is one way he can fulfill that mission.recipient:• Shekella Higgins

CHARLES & ETHYL MOSTERT This award was established in 2011 by Linda McGrane in honor of her parents. Linda is a 1976 graduate of the college and taught elementary physical education for more than 20 years.recipients:• Angel Nguyen• Christiana Verdelus

ORCHID MEDICAL ENDOWED FUND This scholarship fund was created by HHP grad Brian Carwile and supports students who demonstrate financial need and are committed to community involvement through HHP and UF student organizations. Preference is given to students with an interest in athletic training or entrepreneurship within the profession.recipient:• Audrice Louis

POTTER-CHAFIN ENDOWED Friends, former players and students established this scholarship to honor two outstanding educators: William Potter and Moses B. Chafin. Both men were Gator tennis team head coaches and longtime members of the college faculty.recipient:• Megan Raynor

REOVEN FAMILYThis scholarship was created to help students continue their pursuit of success in their careers so that one day, they may give back to hard working UF students and other people in their communities to make positive changes.recipients:• Justin Daniels• Nayadeth Muniz

HERMAN W. SCHNELL MEMORIAL This scholarship honors Herman Schnell — one of the original faculty members when the college was established in 1946.recipients:• Addison Butler• Alexandra Miller

KYLE FREDRICK SCHUEMANN MEMORIAL This award was created to honor Kyle Schuemann. He was an outstanding scholar, a member of Theta Chi fraternity and eager for a career in athletics.recipient:• Brandee Mull

BILL SIMS ENDOWED This endowed fund was established by Bill Sims, a graduate of the college and a charter member of the Florida Commission on Tourism. He helped create what is now known as Visit Florida — a multi-million-dollar marketing campaign designed to bring tourism to the state.recipients:• Rojan Baniya• Remi Cros• Francesca Horvath• Taylor Kopka• Alexa Maphis• Yu Niu• Victoria Pawlus

BILLIE K. & BETTY C. STEVENS ENDOWED Billie “B.K.” Stevens was an original member of HHP in 1946 and was considered by many to be a behind-the-scenes leader. Betty Stevens came to UF as the dean of women.recipients:• Merydian Causier• Alfeil Felipe

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NAOMI S. STEVENS ENDOWED This award was created to honor B.K. Stevens’ first wife who passed away in 1964. She was a former director of guidance at Gainesville High School.recipient:• Jacquelyn Siegel

DR. LINDA THORNTON (DR. T) ENDOWED Dr. Linda Thornton taught at the college for 29 years where she was instrumental in establishing the women’s athletics program in the University Athletic Association.recipients:• Kaitlyn Desmond• Kaley Jones

M.M. TUTTON, SR. ENDOWED This scholarship was established by Drs. Jill and Paul Varnes, both graduates and long-time faculty members of the college, in memory of Jill’s father.recipient:• Ben Berey

BENNY VAUGHN & DR. JOAN CARROLL This scholarship was established for graduate students majoring in APK or athletic training. Benny Vaughn and Dr. Joan Carroll are HHP alumni who created this scholarship for students who demonstrate active and sustained leadership or service in community, student or professional organizations, including mentoring and research.recipient:• Marcel Komer

TOM & SUSIE WASDIN FAMILY The Wasdin’s are champions of education and medicine. Both are Gator Grads and are one of the HHP’s most loyal donors and are leaders within their Brevard community. Tom recently published his life journey, “Once a Coach, Always a Coach.”recipient:• Caroline Salvatore

DR. PAULA WELCH ENDOWED This scholarship was established in honor of Dr. Welch — professor emerita and the first coach of the Lady Gators basketball team. The award recognizes students who are futuristic planners, effective communicators, active leaders and creative thinkers.recipient:• Madison White

DR. CHARLES & LINDA WILLIAMS ENDOWED Dr. Williams was the first assistant dean for the college and served for 20 years as assistant, associate and senior associate dean. Linda Williams taught in the public school system for 26 years with a focus on health and nutrition. Her innovative program received accolades nationwide.recipient:• Azhani Payton

DR. CHRISTIAN W. ZAUNER ENDOWED This scholarship was founded through the leading efforts of former student Kevin Clair in honor of Dr. Zauner’s positive influence, leadership and mentoring. recipient:• Kevin Murray

recipients: • Kelly Aaronson • Pilar Alvarez • Amber Anderson • Mia Barnes • Sarah Bowlby • Isabella Brasi • Hannah Bryson • Yoon Jin Choi • Nuria Curbelo-

Bermudez • Michelle Darling

• Ashley Dobranski • Jessica Foubert • Justin Geraghty • Adrienne Gingrich • Dongwoo Hahn • Griffin Harris • Brittany Jackson • Alexandria Lam • Stephanie Lapierre • Macie MacDonald • Trina Mitchell • Emily Morales

• Angel Nguyen • Branden Nguyen • Adham Oweiss • Sydnee Parish • Gracie Plair • Reagan Pobst • Kaylee Poirier • Ricarda Pritschmann • Angelique Ramirez • Sky Richards • Lauren Richardson • Yasemin Sakarya

• Samiha Sayed • Abigail Schmitt • Logan Stein • Sydney Steinberg • Clarice Swift • Witney Talabert • Malinda Tran • Christina Truong • Elder Varela • Bruce Webb

COLLEGE OF HEALTH & HUMAN PERFORMANCE SCHOLARSHIPS — These scholarships create opportunities for deserving HHP students to realize their dreams and reach their fullest potential. Gifts to this fund allows the college to use donor generosity in a way that’s most needed at any given time. View a list of donors to the HHP Scholarship Fund on page 29.

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KELLY AARONSON[HHP Scholarship]Aaronson is a recent HEB graduate. She plans on pursuing her Master’s degree in Health Education and becoming a certified Health K-12 teacher. She works at the Florida Department of Education in instructional support and is an active member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Tallahassee. She is passionate about minimizing disparities among vulnerable population groups and minimizing youth risk behaviors through school-based intervention and education.

KAITLYN ABELLA[Dr. Norma M Leavitt Scholarship]Abella is a recent HEB graduate. She enjoys volunteering with UF Health and Camp Boggy Creek, as she has a passion for working with children with disabilities. After completing her senior internship at the UF Health Hand and Upper Extremity Clinic, she solidified her desire to help serve others regain their independence. She is excited to attend UF’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in the fall.

SADA AHMED[Charles Fessler Sr & Miriam A. Fessler Scholarship]Ahmed is a senior majoring in Health Education and Behavior with a minor in Health Disparities in Society. Ahmed is the current Vice President of Community Health Service Corps, a UF student organization that strives to eliminate health disparities in the Gainesville community and to prepare its members to combat inequities in their future careers.

DANIEL AJABSHIR[CA Boyd Scholarship]Ajabshir is a fourth-year APK major on a pre-medicine track who aspires to become a physician and to bridge the health disparity gap. He is the Treasurer for Pre-Professional Service Organization, the Medical Director for Global Medical Training, an intern for the Neuromedicine Interdisciplinary Clinical Academic Program at Shands, and founding president of the Phoebe Louise Dooley Student Organization

ABDULELAH AL-TOKHAIS[Grand Guard Scholarship]Al-Tokhais is a THEM Ph.D. candidate. His research interests are in the areas of sustainable tourism, tourism planning and policy, natural and cultural heritage. Currently, he is exploring the role of heritage tourism in Saudi Arabia as a development tool, which aims to empower locals, conserve resources, and increase community participation in heritage conservation and tourism development.

ALEXANDER ALVAREZ[Eraste Autin Scholarship]Alvarez is a first-generation college graduate. He recently graduated from the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and is currently working on earning his Masters in Exercise and Sport Science with a concentration in Exercise and Wellness. In the future, he hopes to work in the extreme sports setting as an ATC/DPT.

S C H O L A R S H I P R E C I P I E N T S

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PILAR ALVAREZ[HHP Scholarship]Alvarez is an Applied Physiology and Kinesiology major who graduated in Spring 2020. During her time at HHP, she was a research assistant and intern in Dr. Seidler’s Neuromotor Behavior Lab. She is currently pursuing gap year experiences in research with the goal of eventually applying to PhD programs.

AMBER ANDERSON[HHP Scholarship]Anderson is a fourth-year HEB major. She is a respected member of the Tau Sigma National Honor Society and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success at UF. She has a background in sales operations at Medtronic, one of the largest medical companies in the world. She enjoys volunteering at her son’s school functions and spending time with her family. Anderson is planning to intern at Nemours Children’s Hospital as a wellness program associate.

KATE BALTHASER[Fabulous 50’s Scholarship]Balthaser is a third-year APK major. She is an HHP Ambassador, a UF Health volunteer, and a research volunteer in HHP’s Applied Neuromechanics Lab. She is committed to helping first-year students transition to UF and has enjoyed serving as a First Year Florida Peer Leader and a Preview Staffer. She has a passion for athletics and intends to become a sports medicine physician where she can help athletes get back to doing what they love.

ROJAN BANIYA[Bill Sims Scholarship]Baniya is a third-year TRSM Ph.D. student with a concentration in tourism and hospitality. His research interests include sustainable tourism, corporate social responsibility and tourism planning, and development. After graduation, he hopes to become a researcher to help tourism and hospitality organizations being economically, socially, and environmentally responsible.

LEAH BARNES[Grand Guard Scholarship]Barnes is a second-year APK student with a specialization in Exercise Physiology and minor in Health Disparities in Society. She is a mentor within the University Research Scholars Program, serves as Secretary of the Florida Club Gymnastics team, and is a Substitute Teacher at Baby Gator. Leah hopes to work within global health to improve care for underserved populations.

MIA BARNES[HHP Scholarship]Barnes is a fourth-year HEB major with a minor in disabilities in society. She enjoys volunteering at Oak Hammock Retirement Community, and is a Nursing Education intern at Shands hospital. Barnes found her love for health in high school where she was mentored by two passionate teachers. In the past, she has interned at Peaceful Paths Domestic Violence Agency. Barnes also spends her summers working as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA. After graduation, she hopes to attend nursing school.

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TAYLOR BATTEN[Danny Eggart Scholarship]Batten is from Pensacola, Florida and is a third-year APK major with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She is a Type 1 Diabetic and has been volunteering at UF Health Shands hospital since her entry into the University of Florida. She hopes to pursue a career in working with children with diabetes and education to the public of the disease.

SIDNEY BAUDENDISTEL[Dr. Norma Leavitt Scholarship]Baudendistel is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in APK with a concentration in biobehavioral sciences. In the Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory, she is investigating a novel exercise-based intervention to improve walking and mobility in those with Parkinson’s disease. She is involved with the college-wide graduate organization, HHPGO, as a founding member and Past-VP. After graduation, Baudendistel plans to continue her training as a scientist, educator, and advocate in STEM education.

TAYLOR BEATTY[Abby Dougherty Scholarship]Beatty is Third-year APK major on the pre-health track to become a physical therapist. She plans to specialize in geriatrics because she believes in giving back to the people who raised her generation. She works as a personal trainer in her free time doing as much as she can to educate her clients on the benefits of exercise and living healthy lifestyle.

BEN BEREY[MM Tutton Sr. Scholarship]Dr. Berey graduated from HEB in Summer 2020 where he studied causal risk factors for alcohol use disorder and associated legal, social, and health consequences among young adults. Starting in August 2020, Dr. Berey will be attending Brown University as a Postdoctoral Fellow where he will be learning cannabis administration methods and continuing his research on risk factors for and consequences of alcohol and cannabis misuse.

SARAH BOWLBY[HHP Scholarship]Bowlby is a third-year APK major on the pre-medicine track and hopes to become a pediatric sports medicine physician. She serves as Florida Blue Key’s Health Professions Day Director, Florida Students for Functional Medicine Vice President, a Florida Greek Ambassador, and founder of a fundraiser for Autoimmune Immune research. In her free time, Bowlby enjoys volunteering with children, working out, and attending a Gator sports game!

ISABELLA BRASI[HHP Scholarship]Brasi is a fourth-year Health Education and Behavior major with a specialization in community health promotion. She works with the School Health Interdisciplinary Program, where she loves teaching children the importance of health and how to implement it into their lives. Her ultimate goal is to graduate and commission as a medical services military officer in the United States Army and to pursue a masters degree in Health Education.

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PHEBE BROCKE[CA Boyd Scholarship]Brocke is a fourth-year HEB and Biology major. She volunteers with the UF Equal Access Clinic and Hearts for the Homeless and is Lab Manager for the Health Disparities Research and Intervention Program. She also loves working for GatorWell as a Residential Life Wellness Educator at Springs. Phebe plans to attend medical school to become a physician in underserved communities, where she will integrate her health education background into primary care.

COSETTE BROWN[Fagerberg-Vares Scholarship]Brown is a fourth-year HEB major planning to go to medical school to become a cardiologist. Brown aims to make a difference in the UF community and has been a resident assistant, an ambassador for the UF Honors Program, and co-founder of Gator for Reading Pals. She is an avid Gator football fan and loves to show school spirit; in her free time, she loves to create music for her church with her voice, guitar, and ukulele.

HANNAH BRUNS[Lee-McCachren Scholarship]Bruns is a UF graduate with a B.S. in psychology. She is pursuing a SPM master’s degree, specializing in athlete development. She enjoys being involved with the SPM Student Advisory Committee, contributing to the Gator fan experience. She also works with the University Athletic Association as a Hawkins Center strategy tutor for student-athletes. She hopes to work as an athlete development specialist, focusing on academic excellence, when she completes her graduate degree.

HANNAH BRYSON[HHP Scholarship]Bryson is a fourth-year HEB major specializing in Health Studies and completing her internship with the University Athletic Association. She is an HHP Ambassador and has taught a section of First Year Florida for the college. In addition to her studies, she is working as her third year as a Resident Assistant at UF. She plans to attend graduate school in either Higher Education or becoming a Physician Assistant.

ADDISON BUTLER[Herman Schnell Scholarship]Butler is a fourth-year APK major with an exercise physiology specialty. She interns at a Gainesville prosthetics clinic, works as a nursing aid at a local longterm rehabilitation facility, and helps students as a TA in an Exercise Physiology course. She is working on completing her senior thesis on Ventilator Induced Diaphragmatic Dysfunction and plans to spend a gap year working as a CNA before attending Physician Assistant School.

KATHERINE CARCAMO[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Carcamo is a senior pursuing a degree in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management. Most of her time outside of class is devoted to her campus ministry, The Navigators. She has also been a part of the first UF all-female a capella group, The Sedoctaves. She hopes to secure a career in venue management in relation to the live music industry in Nashville, Tennessee in the near future.

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ANGELA CARDENAS[Andrew & Matthew Bell Health & Human Performance Scholarship]Cardenas is a fourth-year Health Education and Behavior major with a minor in disabilities. She has been involved with the Florida Cicerones, Student Government, and Young Life. Her passion for marginalized communities has inspired her to obtain a masters in public health. She hopes to be an advocate and a health ambassador bridging the gap for those facing disparities and inequalities within their health care.

ZACHERY CASELLA[Wendell & Jackie Davis Scholarship]Casella is a third-year APK major on the pre-med track. During his time at UF, he has volunteered at many organizations throughout Gainesville such as the Grace Marketplace and the Humane Society through the service organization, UF Circle K International. He plans to go to medical school when he gets his bachelor degree and become a pediatrician in the future.

MICHELLE CASTRO[Dave Fuller Scholarship]Castro is a recent HEB graduate and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in HEB at UF. She is a research assistant at the UF BEACH lab under Dr. Yurasek where her research interests include mental health and substance use among college students. She hopes to work as a health educator and later earn her Ph.D.

MERYDIAN CAUSIER[B.K. & Bettie StevensAPK Scholarship]Causier is a third-year APK student specializing in exercise physiology. During her time in the college of HHP, she held the title of Recruitment Chair for the Undergraduate of Physical Therapy Association, she is a board member of the HHP College Council and the School Health Interdisciplinary Program and a sister in the Beta Chapter of Theta Alpha. Merydian enjoys volunteering and serving at Canvas Church. She aspires to be a double gator and attend UF’s Occupational Therapy School.

CHELSEA CHAPPELL[Health Solutions Scholarship]Chappell has been involved in the field of Health Education since 2003, when she enrolled as an undergrad in the Department of Health Education and Behavior. She earned her master’s in Health Education and is now in her third year as a doctoral student in HEB. She is the director of a university-student run organization (SHIP) that influences the lives of elementary and middle school students in Alachua County, teaching health education.

ALEXANDRA CHAVEZ[Dr. Norma M Leavitt Scholarship]Chavez is a third-year HEB major with a minor in Health Disparities in Society, on the pre-med track. She enjoys volunteering with the Equal Access Clinic, the Child Life Program at Shands Hospital, and her service sorority DNZ. She is also VP of the Minority Health Professional Mentorship Program and a research assistant in the Nutritional Education and Behavioral Science Lab. She hopes to be an endocrinologist and work with underserved communities.

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YOON JIN CHOI[HHP Scholarship]Jin Choi is an APK major Ph.D. student working under the guidance of Dr. Evangelos Christou. Her bachelor’s and master’s degrees are in physical therapy. Her research interest is focused on how the nervous system controls our movement, especially with neurological disorders. She is currently investigating research about the effect of essential tremor on gait and balance.

JULIA CLOW[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Clow is a recent graduate of THEM specializing in Event Management. Her favorite UF projects included making a convention floor plan, planning and executing an event from start to finish, and competing within various professional organizations such as PCMA. She plans to stay in the Central Florida area and work with local nonprofits in their fundraising and development departments, with the eventual goal being to work on fundraising events.

KERRIE CORCORAN[Fagerberg Scholarship]Corcoran is a recent HHP grad who intends to become a physician. In her leadership positions at the pre-health honor society Alpha Epsilon Delta, she helped raised over $22,000 for the Climb for Cancer Foundation and Mobile Outreach Clinic. Corcoran is working as a CNA which along with HHP, and training those with special needs through Fit for All, has inspired her passion for preventative care which she will integrate into her future career.

REMI CROS[Bill Sims Scholarship]Cros is a fourth-year TRSM major specializing in Event Management. She is the assistant director of Gator Growl Homecoming Festival 2020 and an ambassador with Gator Guest Services for University Athletic Association. Cros aspires to work for a professional sports team or stadium in the Events Department and to one day help plan the Super Bowl!

NURIA CURBELO-BERMUDEZ[HHP Scholarship]Curbelo-Bermudez is a fourth-year APK major specializing in exercise physiology with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She is an HHP ambassador and a research assistant in the Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Muscle Biology with Dr. Ferreira. She also enjoys serving on the Executive Board for the U Matter, We Care, Ambassadors, and volunteering at various physical therapy clinics around Gainseville, with goals to become a physical therapist.

JUSTIN DANIELS[Reoven Family Scholarship]Daniels is a 2020 APK graduate and developed a passion for medicine while at UF. He is applying to medical school and hopes to serve his community as a physician. Daniels spent the majority of his undergraduate in a lab focused on movement disorders, and he spends much of his free time playing board games with family, exploring local nature trails, or trying to cook something new in the kitchen.

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ASHLEY DOBRANSKI[HHP Scholarship]Dobranski is from Fort Myers, FL, and a second-year Health Education and Behavior major at the University of Florida. After graduating, she hopes to attend a graduate program to eventually become an occupational therapist for children.

VIVIAN DOERR[David & Linda McCaughey Scholarship]Doerr is a second-year Ph.D. student in APK with a concentration in exercise physiology. She is a research assistant under Dr. Ashley Smuder, focusing on cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction following chemotherapy. Doerr’s interest in studying exercise as a therapeutic tool stemmed from her collegiate basketball career.

EMILY DOLCE[LeFavi Family Scholarship]Dolce is a fourth-year APK major and Disabilities in Society minor on the pre-medicine track. She aspires to become a pediatric oncologist. She is an active member of the UF Women’s Water Polo Club Team, co-director of Camp Kesem, a summer camp for children impacted by their parent’s cancer, and servers as an HHP ambassador. She also enjoys being a research assistant in the McKnight Brain Institute and Center for Arts in Medicine Interdisciplinary Lab.

ALFEIL FELIPE[B.K. & Bettie Stevens Scholarship]Felipe is a recent graduate in APK. As a personal trainer, he enjoys educating others through exercise and science. With additional passions in quality improvement and public health, Felipe aspires to become a physician. He wants to improve the health and healthcare for disadvantaged communities around the world.

MICHELLE DARLING[HHP Scholarship]Darling is a fourth-year Health and Education Behavior major. She is active in the UF community and was proud to serve as the Continuing Education Committee Chair in the Gator Advance organization for two years. She is passionate about women’s health and is a research assistant in a Weight Management lab. Darling plans to pursue a career in medicine as a physician.

KAITLYN DESMOND[Dr. Linda (Dr. T) Thornton Scholarship]Desmond is a fourth-year TRSM major specializing in event management. She has participated in four on-site networking trips, three internships and was employed with the Emerson Alumni Hall in their Facilities Events Management department. She is completing her senior internship with the RP Funding Center, a convention center in Lakeland, Florida. Her dream job would be to work as an event manager for a convention center.

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JESSICA FOUBERT[HHP Scholarship]Foubert is a Master’s Candidate in the Sport Management program. As a graduate assistant at the Hawkins Center of the University Athletic Association, she works with at-risk student athletes to help them succeed in their education. She is passionate about the success of student athletes on and off the field. She intends to continue this work full-time as a Learning Specialist in college athletics.

TESSA FROHE[Fagerberg Scholarship]Frohe recently completed her Ph.D. in HEB. Frohe accepted a T32 post-doctoral position at the University of Washington-Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she will work within a Harm Reduction Center among populations who have lived experience of homelessness, substance use disorders and involvement in the criminal justice system.

NIOUD “NEO”GEBRU[Allen/Holyoak/Varnes Scholarship]Gebru is a Ph.D. student in Health Education and Behavior with concentrations in Health Behavior and Clinical & Translational Science. Gebru’s research includes exploring key factors that underlie health-related decision-making and risky behaviors, specifically addictions in young adults. He is specifically interested in applying behavioral economic concepts to explore risky health behaviors and substance use to initiate and maintain behavior change.

JUSTIN GERAGHTY[HHP Scholarship]Geraghty is a fourth-year APK and Biology dual major on the pre-medical track. He is a volunteer EMT on campus and works at the UF Health Shand’s Emergency Department as a critical care technician. Geraghty also conducts research related to aging through the APK department and volunteers in the community with Alpha Epsilon Delta.

ADRIENNE GINGRICH[HHP Scholarship]Gingrich is a fourth-year APK major looking to attend medical school. She is passionate about service, research and teaching. Gingrich has volunteered with the School Health Interdisciplinary Program, served on a medical relief trip to Nicaragua, been VP of operations for She’s the First, worked as a teaching assistant for general chemistry and as an undergraduate research assistant in the McKnight Brain Institute.

SHAWNA GRAY[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Gray is a Class of 2020 graduate who fell in love with HHP where she was able to learn, gain experience, and build life-long friendships. During her time at HHP, she held four internships, one internship abroad, and two positions all within her field. Since graduating, Gray has returned home to work during the evening while developing content and saving to move out West in pursuit of a career in comedy.

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DONGWOO HAHN[HHP Scholarship]Hahn is a Ph.D. student in APK focusing on skeletal muscle physiology and mitochondrial functions in ‘Laboratory of Basic and Clinical Muscle Biology’. He is also working as a teaching assistant in applied human physiology lab course. He will start a post-doc fellowship in the University of Minnesota. His career goal is to be a researcher in physiology and contribute to the medical field.

RASHARD HAMMONDS[Eraste Autin Scholarship]Hammonds is a fourth-year athletic training student and has worked with the Gator’s Football and Women’s Soccer teams. He has a passion for everything sports, fitness, and health and this has been shown with his outreach into the Gainesville community. He has been an intern for Gainesville Health and Fitness, ReQuest Physical Therapy, and Florida Football. Hammonds dreams of becoming an Athletic Trainer for the NFL in the future.

GRIFFIN HARRIS[HHP Scholarship]Harris is an aspiring Orthopedic surgeon whose current activities include volunteering in the Fit-For-All program at Gainesville Health and Fitness, participating in research as an RA in the Social Cognitive and Affective development lab, and serving as a first responder as a part of the GEMRU division of UFPD. In his free time he enjoys exercising, golfing, and going to the beach with friends.

THERESA HAUGE[Allen/Holyoak/Varnes Scholarship]Hauge is a Ph.D. student working in the Neuromotor Behavior Laboratory within the Department of Applied Physiology & Kinesiology. Prior to UF, she received her B.S. (2016) and M.A. (2018) in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland, College Park. Hauge’s research specialization is in the neural control of movement, specifically studying the cognitive dynamics of human performance during complex motor tasks.

SHEKELLA HIGGINS[Joseph Monroe Scholarship]Higgins is a fourth-year HEB major student aspiring to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. She has been involved with the Office of Academic Support as a Peer coach, the Department of Health Education & Behavior as a research assistant and the North Florida Regional Medical Center as a volunteer. After graduating with her HEB degree, she plans on attending an ABSN program to get her nursing degree.

ALLISON HOLLAWAY[Darlin Family Scholarship]Hollaway is a fourth-year APK major with a specialization in exercise physiology. She is also minoring in disabilities in society. Her passions for kids and living a healthy lifestyle have inspired her to pursue a career in pediatric physical therapy. She serves as an ambassador for the college of HHP. She has spent numerous hours as an intern and volunteer in physical therapy clinics around the state of Florida. She is interning at a corrective exercise training studio this fall.

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FRANCESCA HORVATH[Bill Sims Scholarship]Horvath is a recent HHP grad with a degree in Tourism & Hospitality. During her time at UF, she was involved in Fit for All, Danza Dance Company, UF Dazzlers, and interning at UF Levin College of Law with the Conference and Event Department. She is currently pursuing her Masters from UF, and will be a double gator come Spring 2021.

KATHLEEN HUPFELD[Patrick Bird Dissertation Scholarship]Hupfeld is a fifth-year Ph.D. candidate working with Dr. Rachael Seidler. Her interest in motor control stemmed from her time coaching Special Olympics and interning in neurology and rehabilitation clinics. Her research uses brain imaging and brain stimulation to investigate how the neural control of movement changes with spaceflight and with aging. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering in STEM outreach, playing with her cat Yeti, and exploring local springs with her paddleboard.

BRITTANY JACKSON[HHP Scholarship]Jackson is a second-year SPM master’s student specializing in athlete development. She has a master’s degree in psychology from Nova Southeastern University. In undergrad, Jackson assisted in a Cognitive Psychology lab researching deliberate practice in golf, basketball, chess, and typing. She aspires to be a sport psychologist for a collegiate or professional sport organization.

CHASE JACOB[Mark & Julie McGriff Family Scholarship]Earning a sport management degree at University of Florida will allow Jacob to build on the skills that he’s begun with the University of Florida Athletic Association and IMG Academy. Upon graduation, he plans to either start his career with an agency or NFL front office, or attend graduate school earning an MBA or law degree. His long-term goals are to be involved in the sports industry in a meaningful way and positively impacting people’s lives.

MELYN JESSELL[Darlin Family Scholarship]Jessell is a fourth-year APK major specializing in exercise physiology. She is an active member of the School Health Interdisciplinary Program teaching Gainesville youth about health-related topics. Her volunteer work helped her realize that she wants to become a pediatric physical therapist for children with special needs. As a third-generation Gator and lifelong fan, Jessell hopes to attend the UF DPT program.

KALEY JONES[Dr. Linda (Dr. T) Thornton Scholarship]Jones is a fourth-year TRSM major and Business Administration minor. She enjoys serving at the BCM, a student campus ministry, and interning at Butler Enterprises alongside their marketing team. She enjoys biking, attending UF football games, and visiting all the local coffee shops in Gainesville. Jones hopes to return to UF and pursue a Master’s degree in business or hospitality management in the near future.

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EDWARD KLEM[Lee-McCachren Scholarship]Klem is recent Sport Management grad who will be attending Florida International University in pursuit of a Juris Doctor degree. He hopes to join the mediation team and participate in competitions across the nation. Klem intends to specialize in contract law with a focus in sports and expand on his thesis about the NFL’s collective bargaining agreements soon after.

HUI JEAN KOK[Lee-McCachren Scholarship]Kok is a Ph.D. Candidate in APK working on understanding the mechanisms of muscle atrophy, regeneration and growth. As a former elite swimmer for the Malaysian national swim team, her experience with muscle injury motivated her current research in understanding the role of muscle stem cells for muscle regeneration and growth. Her long-term career goal is to pursue research in muscle and bone interactions in aging and disease.

MARCEL KOMER[Benny Vaughn & Dr. Joan Caroll Scholarship]Komer is completing a master’s degree in Human Performance before attending medical school and specializing in Orthopaedic Surgery. Komer is currently the graduate assistant for APK3400 (Introduction to Sport Psychology), a research assistant in the Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory, and a medical assistant at North Florida Integrative Medicine.

TAYLOR KOPKA[Bill Sims Scholarship]Kopka is a 2020 TRSM graduate, specializing in event management. At UF, she was an active member and leader in a variety of organizations including Event Marketing Student Association, the First Year Florida program, and Delta Nu Zeta. She is working on her master’s degree at UF with the dream to work within athletics and facility operations. Kopka has completed two internships at Walt Disney World & interned at the O’Connell Center this past spring.

LISA KURIAN[Dave Fuller Scholarship]Kurian is a fourth-year APK major with a minor in health disparities in society. She volunteers with the UF Mobile Outreach Clinic providing primary care services to people who are underserved in Gainesville. She hopes to use her experience at HHP and her volunteer work to reduce the barriers that many people have to accessing health care as a physician in the future.

ALEXANDRIA LAM[HHP Scholarship]Lam is a fourth-year APK major and an aspiring sports medicine physician. She is a research assistant for the Performance Psychology Laboratory, an HHP ambassador, and an intern for ACORN Dental Clinic. She has interned for the Interdisciplinary Clinical and Academic Program and been a research assistant for the North Florida Community Resource Guide Collaborative as part of her goal in helping to eliminate health disparities.

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STEPHANIE LAPIERRE[HHP Scholarship]Lapierre is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate pursuing her doctorate in Applied Physiology & Kinesiology. Lapierre’s own pursuit of health and fitness has led her to focus on Exercise Physiology. Her current work in the Integrative Cardiovascular Physiology Lab involves studying sex differences in the acute and chronic vascular responses to high-intensity interval training in older adults. She also enjoys teaching Applied Human Physiology and mentoring undergraduate volunteers.

AUDRICE LOUIS[Orchid Medical Scholarship]Louis is a fourth-year Health Education Behavior major aspiring to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She enjoys being surrounded by friends and family. The time she spends outside of class involves volunteering with Greenhouse Sprouts her Christian ministry and participating in various cultural dance organizations such as the Club Creole Dance team and Gator Salsa.

MACIE MACDONALD[HHP Scholarship]MacDonald is a second- year APK major on the pre-physical therapy track. She is a facility operations associate in the Department of Recreation Sports, an active member of the undergraduate Physical Therapy Association, and on the Club Softball team at UF. She volunteers and works with people of all ages and physical fitness levels and has a passion for helping others in any way possible. These experiences have given her the drive and determination to become a physical therapist.

ALEXA MAPHIS[Bill Sims Scholarship]Maphis is a third-year TRSM student specializing in tourism and hospitality management. She has experience working for hospitality organizations and retailers, including Hilton Hotels and UF’s Gator Hospitality. She will be graduating a year earlier than planned, a testament to her hard work and motivation. Upon graduation, Maphis plans to work in the hospitality industry in the Orlando metropolitan area.

RAYA MCGUIRE[Fagerberg Scholarship]McGuire is a second-year Health Education and Behavior major on a Health Studies track. She is extremely passionate about behavioral sciences and one day hopes to work as an addiction psychiatrist, providing assistance to a vulnerable population. At UF, she can be found studying, spending time with friends, or giving tours as a Student Admissions Officer. Outside of educational interests, she enjoys being outdoors, reading, watching a variety of films and creating mixed media art.

KALENA MILES[Mark & Julie McGriff Family Scholarship]Miles is a second year TRSM with a specialization in event management. She hopes to get an internship this year to find what type of event she wants to specialize in. Her dream job would be to plan the Super Bowl.

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ALEXANDRA MILLER[Herman Schnell Scholarship]Miller is a recent Health Education and Behavior graduate. While at UF, she served as an Emerging Leader and Delegate for Dance Marathon, an Assistant Director for March of Dimes, and volunteered with Camp Boggy Creek. Currently, she is attending Emory University and studying to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

AMANDA MILLER[Michael Scott Carn Scholarship]Miller is a fourth year APK and psychology dual major on the pre-physical therapy track. She is a certified personal trainer and currently works as a floor instructor at Gainesville Health and Fitness. Miller has served as an HHPeers mentor, and enjoys volunteering with MentorGNV and UF Health Shands. She currently volunteers as a crisis phone counselor and trainer at the Alachua County Crisis Center.

TRINA MITCHELL[HHP Scholarship]Mitchell is a Ph.D. student in the Laboratory for Rehabilitation Neuroscience. She is an associate trainee under the NIH T32 interdisciplinary training program in movement disorders and neurorestoration and is interested in using non-invasive neuroimaging to better understand biomarkers for disease progression and characteristics in Parkinson’s disease.

DANIEL MOOLCHAND[Allen/Holyoak/Varnes Scholarship]Moolchand is a recent HEB graduate and currently applying to the MPH program, specializing in epidemiology. He was a mentor at Aces in Motion, a member of Eta Sigma Gamma, and a research assistant at the UF BEACH Research Group where he worked on projects examining truant student behavior and substance use. He wishes to pursue a Ph.D. in Public Health focusing on chronic diseases.

EMILY MORALES[HHP Scholarship]Morales is a recent Health Education graduate. She is BLS certified and just wrapped up her summer internship at North Florida Integrative Medicine in Gainesville, where she helped co-edit a book that was published by her doctor on COVID-19. She is taking a year off to finish up her patient care hours before continuing her education in the medical field.

BRANDEE MULL[Kyle Schuemann Scholarship]Mull is a fourth-year Sport Management and Marketing double major. She is currently working for the University of Florida Department of Recreational Sports as a Sport Programs Supervisor and is also a Sports Club Communications Intern. This past summer she interned with USAA and found her passion for insurance. She plans to work in the commercial insurance field insuring large sports events and facilities.

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MARISA ELEANOR MULVEY[Charles LaPradd Fellowship]Mulvey is a first-year doctoral student in APK Department and a member of the Locomotion Neuromechanics Laboratory. Her research interest is neurorehabilitation for individuals with Parkinson’s disease or those who have suffered from strokes. Her interest in neurorehabilitation was sparked by her time as a volunteer at a boxing gym specifically for Parkinson’s disease patients, as well as by her undergraduate Motor Control course at UMass Amherst.

NAYADETH MUNIZ [Reoven Family Scholarship]Muniz is a fourth-year HEB major on the pre-nursing track. She is currently Vice President in Splash Pals, a peer-buddy in Best Buddies, and a member of Eta Sigma Gamma. She hopes to attend UF’s Accelerated BSN Nursing Program and eventually attend graduate school to become a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP).

KEVIN MURRAY[Dr. Christian Zauner Scholarship]Murray is an APK doctoral candidate focusing on the long-term physiological and molecular consequences of exertional heat stroke upon immune cells and cardiac and skeletal muscle in the Muscle Stress Physiology Lab. This work has garnered a national American Physiological Society award. He is also a teaching assistant for the Applied Human Physiology Course. His career goal is to be a significant contributor in the fields of molecular biology and physiology at the academic level.

LARISSA NEUBURGER[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship][Gefen Travel & Tourism Research Scholarship]Neuburger is a fourth-year THEM Ph.D. student. Her research interest includes tourism experience, e-tourism and immersive technologies, specifically applications of Virtual and Augmented Reality in tourism. Neuburger also teaches classes in event management, using her industry experience in this area.

ANGEL NGUYEN[HHP Scholarship][Charles and Ethyl Mostert Scholarship]Nguyen is a fourth-year Health Education and Behavior Major with a minor in Disabilities in Society. She aspires to become a pediatric occupational therapist at the UF Health Rehab Center. She is also currently volunteering for FIT For ALL in an effort to further her studies in occupational therapy while also promoting the counteraction of sedentary lifestyles for all individuals, regardless of physical or mental capabilities.

BRANDEN NGUYEN[HHP Scholarship]Nguyen completed his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University and his master’s thesis degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with Dr. Scott Powers in the Muscle Biochemistry Lab in 2019. Currently, he is a second-year Ph.D. student advised by Dr. Ashley Smuder in the Molecular Cardiology and Myology Lab.

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YU NIU[Bill Sims Scholarship]Niu completed her Ph.D. program in 2020 summer from THEM with a concentration in leisure/tourism and aging. Her research interest includes the role of leisure and tourism in promoting older adults’ health and well-being. As a multidisciplinary explorer, her research interest lies at the junction of gerontology, sociology, and leisure/tourism fields. She hopes that her research efforts will improve the quality of life in older adults.

GABRIELA OLIVERA[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Olivera is a second-year Tourism, Hospitality, and Event management major. Her plans after graduation are to go into the hotel management field and later pursue her MBA. Being from Miami, she has always loved travel and tourism. Eventually, she wants to open a hotel there. She recently received certificates in hospitality management and customer service.

ADHAM OWEISS[HHP Scholarship]Oweiss is a fourth-year APK major with a minor in Biomolecular Engineering pursuing a doctorate in Physical Therapy. He is very passionate about exercise, rehabilitation, and nutrition. He is involved with the pre-health honors society, Alpha Epsilon Delta, as well as the Men’s Club Soccer Team. His hobbies include playing/watching soccer, going to the gym, and reading. In his free time, he enjoys volunteering at Kinetix Physical Therapy.

SYDNEE PARISH[HHP Scholarship]Parish is a senior in HEB. She plans to become a physician assistant after graduating and entering grad school in May. She volunteers at Balance180 and also volunteered in the annual Kids4Kids Triathlon in Gainesville. Parish enjoys helping others and believes that patient interaction will be the most fulfilling aspect of her future career. She plans to work diligently towards her goals in order to one day donate to pre-health students like herself.

HYEJIN PARK[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Park is a second-year Ph.D. student in Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management. She conducts research on destination marketing & management at the government level with a focus on information flow, the interaction between stakeholders, and technology intervention in tourism. She is particularly interested in how destination management activities create, share, and process tourism information to reach out to consumers.

VICTORIA PAWLUS[Bill Sims Scholarship]Pawlus is a recently graduated TRSM major. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in International Business at UF’s Warrington College. For the last two semesters, she has been working at The Laurel Oak Inn, a local bed and breakfast. After her degree, she hopes to find a career in the hospitality industry.

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AZHANI PAYTON[Dr. Charles & Linda Williams Scholarship]Payton is a fourth-year Sport Management major. She aspires to own a sports and marketing agency to provide representation for high school and middle school athletes in low-income communities. Payton is a member of the Lambda Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she focuses her time servicing the Gainesville community and providing resources to students on campus.

BENSEY PIERRE-LOUIS[Allen/Holyoak/Varnes Scholarship]Pierre-Louis is a Spring 2020 HEB Graduate. He has volunteered with the Office of Academic Support, was President of Adventist Christian Fellowship, and an Intern at HealthStreet. He has recently started his Masters in Public Health program at Emory University this Fall. Pierre-Louis is passionate in reducing disparities on a community level and aspires to work as Health Educator.

GRACIE PLAIR[HHP Scholarship]Plair is a second-year SPM major. Upon receiving her bachelors, she plans to pursue a masters in Sport Management. She hopes to one day work for the NFL. In her free time she enjoys both attending and watching sporting events, being outdoors and spending time with her Sigma Alpha Sorority sisters. She volunteers in local gardens and the animal shelter.

EMILY PLUNKETT[McGriff Family Scholarship]Plunkett is UF sport management Ph.D. student and research fellow. A certified Athlete Development Specialist, she researches career development in sport and the holistic development of athletes, particularly in preparation for transition out of sport. Plunkett has presented research at the North American Society for Sport Management, Professional Association of Athlete Development Specialists, and National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals conferences.

REAGAN POBST[HHP Scholarship]Pobst is a fourth-year HEB combined degree student. She spent her time volunteering at the Barton Lab on UF’s campus doing research in exercise science. She works as a certified nursing assistant in the Gainesville area and just completed a health education internship at Health Designs in Jacksonville, Florida. Upon graduation, she hopes to take a gap year to work in health education before applying to PA school to further her education.

KAYLEE POIRIER[HHP Scholarship]Poirier is a third year APK major. Her career goal is to be a physical therapist specializing in pediatrics. She enjoys volunteering at Kids on the Move and Kinetics Physical Therapy. Around Campus she is involved in Women’s Club Lacrosse, the Undergrad Physical Therapy Association, and the University of Florida Navigators. She also serves as an HHP Ambassador setting an example for her college.

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RICARDA PRITSCHMANN[HHP Scholarship]Pritschmann is a Ph.D. student in Health Education and Behavior working to understand the underlying mechanisms of decision-making related to physically inactive lifestyles and substance use. She wants to address the chronic disease burden of cardiovascular disease and drug use in the U.S. Her dissertation research focuses on behavioral economic approaches to promote physical activity.

ANGELIQUE RAMIREZ[HHP Scholarship]Ramirez is a third-year HEB student minoring in leadership. She works as a Medical Assistant at FL Skin Cancer & Dermatology and as a Research Assistant for the EXHALE Research Lab which focuses on weight loss and nutrition. Ramirez is excited to serve as a Campus Diplomat and a UF Pre-Physician Assistant Association’s Vice President. She hopes to work as a Physician Assistant in the fields of pediatrics and neonatology.

SASHAUN RANGER[Elliot Borkson-Leo Goodwin Scholarship]Ranger is a fourth-year Health Education & Behavior major, pre-medical track, and an aspiring pediatric endocrinologist. Ranger enjoys mentoring other students as a Peer Leader for the Office of Academic Support, volunteering at UF Health Shands Department of Pediatrics with Streetlight, and singing her heart out with the University Gospel Choir. She aims to help and serve others both in her community and abroad.

MEGAN RAYNOR[Potter-Chafin Scholarship]Raynor is a fourth-year student majoring in HEB and minoring in Nutritional Sciences. She hopes to become a Physician Assistant in the future and combine modern medicine with her passion for educating patients on healthy lifestyle factors. She is a Child Life volunteer at UF Health Shands, a Learning Assistant for Fundamentals of Human Nutrition, and President of UF Global Medical Training.

SKY RICHARDS[HHP Scholarship]Richards is a 2020 HEB graduate and Eta Sigma Gamma vice president. Sky is passionate about worksite wellness, sexual education, and improving quality of life. She interned at GatorCare and was able to create and present her own sustainability series. She is excited to continue her education with the HEB Master’s program with plans of furthering her education through UF’s OTD program.

LAUREN RICHARDSON[HHP Scholarship]Richardson is a third-year APK major aspiring to be an athletic trainer for collegiate or professional sports teams. She is president of the UF Club Softball team and enjoys working and participating with RecSport’s Sports Programs. Richardson has shadowed UF RecSport’s athletic trainers in intramural and club sports and has interned at a physical therapy clinic. She enjoys volunteering her time to help coach her local softball team.

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MADELYN SABIS[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Sabis is studying Tourism, Events, and Recreation management with a minor in Sustainability. She has enjoyed working front desk at the Hampton Inn Downtown Gainesville, studying Mediterranean Hospitality in Italy, and the real life experiences the professors have shared. She is looking forward to incorporating sustainability into her future career in hotels and large resorts.

YASEMIN SAKARYA[HHP Scholarship]Sakarya is an APK doctoral candidate. Her research focuses on the role of exercise and lifestyle interventions for cardiovascular disease prevention in aging, type 2 diabetes and cancer. She also serves as a Teaching Assistant for the Applied Human Anatomy course. Her enthusiasm for teaching has been recognized by receiving the “UF Graduate Assistant Teaching Award (2017-2018).”

CAROLINE SALVATORE[Tom & Susie Wasdin Family Scholarship]Salvatore is a fourth-year Sport Management student with a Mass Communications studies minor. She works at the UF Department of Recreational Sports as the Program Assistant for Staff Development and Training and serves on the Board of Directors. She is passionate about making an impact in the world of athletics and hopes to work in operations with the U.S Olympic and Paralympic Committee in the future.

SAMIHA SAYED[HHP Scholarship]Sayed is a fourth-year APK major on the pre-medicine track and hopes to specialize in geriatrics or orthopedics. She is president of Bangladeshi Student’s Association, director for the Arts in Medicine program at Grace Marketplace, and a volunteer at Rahma Mercy Clinic. As a Health Disparities minor, she hopes to help bridge the health disparities gap. In her spare time, she loves to tutor kids, dance, and explore new places.

ABIGAIL SCHMITT[HHP Scholarship]Schmitt completed her Ph.D. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology with the Applied Neuromechanics Laboratory. Schmitt is currently an Assistant Professor of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at the University of Arkansas. In her lab, she is researching factors that contribute to gait and balance instability in people with orthopedic diseases and neuromuscular dysfunction.

JACQUELYN SIEGEL[Naomi Stevens Scholarship]Siegel is a fourth-year APK student currently applying to Physician Assistant programs. She is working as a Medical Assistant at Intracoastal Dermatology in Ponte Vedra. Last summer, Jacquelyn did an internship in Sydney, Australia working as a physical therapy assistant, and during her fourth year, she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Smuder’s lab. Jacquelyn hopes to one day become a PA specializing in Dermatology.

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SYDNEY SOMERS[Lee-McCachren Scholarship]Somers is a fourth year APK major on a pre-medicine track. She is an active member of her community and is passionate about serving others. Somers thoroughly enjoys volunteering with Streetlight, a palliative care program at UF Shands. She is also a teaching assistant for Dr. Nguyen’s Anatomy and Physiology class. Somers is looking forward to continuing her educational career in medical school, following the footsteps of four generations of family doctors before her.

JOSHUA STARCHER[Thomas Hayes IV Scholarship]Starcher is a fourth-year APK major with a specialization in exercise physiology. He has aspirations of becoming a pediatric physical therapist. He loves volunteering within the community through organizations such as MentorGNV and Balance180 Gymnastics. He is also the treasurer and active member of UF’s Taekwondo sport club.

LOGAN STEIN[HHP Scholarship]Stein is a third-year HEB major planning to pursue her masters in health education and behavior. She enjoys spending time with her sorority sisters and giving back to the community through volunteer events. She plans to get a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She spends her free time volunteering as a baby cuddler in the NICU at UF Health Shands Hospital. Her dream job is to work in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit.

SYDNEY STEINBERG[HHP Scholarship]Steinberg is pursuing her Masters in Sport Management. She possesses a strong passion for working with student-athletes to enhance their college experience. This passion drives her to volunteer in the Hawkins Center in the Athlete Enhancement office & coach lacrosse at Buchholz High School. Upon completion of her degree, Steinberg hopes to work in Student-Athlete Development at the college level.

LINDZY SUCHOMELLY[Blais/Blake Scholarship]Suchomelly is a recent APK graduate currently attending physician assistant school at Barry University. Working at UF Health Rehab Hospital, she discovered her passion for helping underprivileged populations through medical missions. She was also very involved with the UF Pre-Physician Assistant Association, where she helped others on the path to becoming a PA. Suchomelly hopes to work in an underserved population.

CLARICE SWIFT[HHP Scholarship]Swift is a fourth-year Applied Physiology and Kinesiology major on the pre-medicine track. She is service-minded — volunteering on medical mission trips and through the Gator Emergency Medical Response Unit on campus. Her experiences through volunteering and her studies have refined her professional medical interests towards orthopedic surgery. Swift also teaches CPR and a First Responder course.

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WITNEY TALABERT[HHP Scholarship]Talabert is an HEB senior with a minor in Health Disparities in Society from Miami, Florida. Witney is a first-generation Haitian-American who is very passionate about mental health. She plans to start a Masters in Counselor Education program next fall and get her doctorate in the future. She is very involved on campus through SISTUHS and especially loves mentoring young girls through one of her organizations, LADIES. She plans to work with women with mental health issues in the future.

ALEXIS TAMVAKIS[Darlin Family Scholarship]Tamvakis is on the pre-physical therapy track to be able to graduate and enter a DPT program. She hopes to become the physical therapist for a major sports team. She currently volunteers with Fit for All helping special needs kids complete workouts and at local physical therapy clinics.

OLIVIA TAYLOR[Judith Fessler Scholarship]Taylor is a recent HHP graduate with a bachelor’s degree in APK. She lives a life focussed on servant leadership. Taylor hopes to use the knowledge she has gained from her undergraduate experience and apply it as a future physician assistant (PA). Ultimately, she plans on becoming a PA for the U.S. Navy, actively serving both her patients and her country. Taylor is forever grateful for her time at UF.

GRANT TAYS[Allen/Holyoak/Varnes Scholarship]Tays is an APK doctoral student focusing on the neural control of movement in the Neuromotor Behavior Laboratory. The primary objective of his research is to understand the effects of aging and microgravity environments on the underlying processes that conduct upper limb motor tasks. Outside the lab, Tays can be found on the water in his kayak, or under it SCUBA diving.

PALANI TE[CA Boyd Scholarship]Te recently graduated from the MS program in Health Education and Behavior. He had spent most of his time in HEB focused on service, teaching, and research both personally and as the president of Eta Sigma Gamma. Te has fostered a passion for outreach and empowering adolescents to make healthier decisions and behaviors, organizing and participating in several college events to promote the health of students on campus. He is continuing at UF with the Ph.D. program in Mass Communications.

EMILY TOBIN[Jane Edmonds Fellowship]Tobin is a first-year APK doctoral student with a concentration in biobehavioral science. She is under the advisement of Dr. Vaillancourt, focusing on the use of neuroimaging to further understand movement disorders. She is also a teaching assistant within HHP for undergraduate students.

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BRIAN TRAN[Michael Scott Carn Scholarship]Brian Tran is an APK graduate currently applying to medical school. His objective as a physician is to provide healthcare and advocate for the medically underserved population. He has interned with the Interdisciplinary Clinical and Academic Program (ICAP) and served as a teaching assistant in Exercise Physiology (with Dr. Powers). On his free time, he enjoys working out, playing basketball, and cooking.

MALINDA TRAN[HHP Scholarship]Tran is a recent HEB graduate, specializing in Health Studies. During her time at UF, she worked as a research assistant for TrialNet focusing on Type 1 diabetes. She has interned for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in the PICU and the Southeast AIDS Education and Training Center (SE AETC). She intends to apply for nursing school next summer via the accelerated nursing school after gaining more experience working in a clinical setting as a CNA.

CHRISTINA TRUONG[HHP Scholarship]Truong recently graduated with a B.S. in Health Education. She enjoyed spending time volunteering at UF Shands, being a teaching assistant for the UF EMR Program, and holding chair positions in her sorority alpha Kappa Delta Phi. She plans to go to graduate school to further her education in health administration to enhance the overall patient experience in a hospital setting.

JOSHUA VADEVONCOEUR[Alex Diaz Scholarship]Vadeboncoeur is a fourth-year Ph.D. student in Sport Management. His research examines the intersection of race and sport at various levels. This includes looking at how race is produced, how particular meanings are attached to race, and how race privileges some and marginalizes others within different sporting spaces. His goal is to enter academe to challenge, support, and move his field forward — through his research and in the classroom.

ELDER VARELA[HHP Scholarship]Varela is a second-year doctoral in HEB and a research fellow in the Nutrition and Behavioral Science Lab. Her research interests include community nutrition, dietary behaviors, obesity prevention and food security. Her goal is to expand her research as a faculty member and develop effective and sustainable multilevel interventions that improve nutrition education strategies and healthful environmental supports for low-income communities.

MEGAN VAUGHN[Jack & Joy Masson Scholarship]Vaughn is a senior in Tourism, Events, and Recreation Management specializing in Event Management. She has had the pleasure of volunteering with non-profits as well as her local municipal Parks and Recreation Department. She hopes to someday work in Facility Operations and own her own non-profit event venue to serve her local community.

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CHRISTIANA VERDELUS[Charles & Ethyl Mostert Scholarship]Verdelus is a third-year HEB major. She volunteers as a Care Coordinator with the Mobile Outreach Clinic and with Streetlight at Shands Hospital. She is also involved in the Multicultural Association of Pre-Health Students and is a research assistant studying women of color and substance abuse treatment. She hopes to help alleviate health disparities experienced by women of color and underserved populations as a perinatologist.

TERRENCE VIALVA[Danny Eggart Scholarship]Vialva is an HEB major with a minor in nutritional sciences. He hopes to become a pediatric endocrinologist with a focus on transgender health. He is a part of many UF organizations such as Streetlight, Mobile Outreach Clinic, and PAACT. He currently researches health disparities and hopes to use the knowledge to mitigate health disparities within the LGBTQ+ community.

LUYU WANG[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Wang is a TRSM Ph.D. student. Her research interest is travel experiences in natural protected areas based on user-generated content. She has a passion for investigating tourist experience from a cultural perspective to provide management suggestions for destination managers. She is a doctoral candidate and expects to continue her research.

JACK WARD[Charles Fessler Jr Scholarship]Ward is a fourth-year SPM & Finance Major on a pre-law track. He has a deep passion for sports and has been involved with the Gator Junior Golf Association and RecSports during his time at UF. Ward hopes to pursue a legal career in the Military after graduation and eventually venture into Sports Law as an off-field player representative. He is a lifelong Gator and hopes to one day establish his own scholarship for students at HHP.

BRUCE WEBB[HHP Scholarship]Webb is a second-year SPM graduate student. This past school year, he worked for the UF Football Team as student manager. He currently works for the UF Athletic Association for Gator Guest Services and works within football operations for UF Football. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in team operations for the NBA or NFL.

MADISON WHITE[Dr. Paula Welch Scholarship]White is a Sports Management major aiming to achieve her masters degree, and ultimately a law degree. Her love for sports and law are what have inspired her to become a sports agent. She enjoys attending and watching all types of sporting events, and throughout her time at UF has been able to meet a number of sports agents and professional athletes. Her dream job is to work at one of the top sports agencies around the world and possibly open up her own firm.

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EUNJUNG YANG[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship][Gefen Travel & Tourism Research Scholarship]Yang is a THEM Ph.D. student. She focuses on the role of tourism in the creation of healthy, sustainable, and resilient communities to improve people’s quality of life. She is interested in applying geospatial methodologies to tourism to analyze spatially varying phenomena and predict future community resilience and quality of life. She’s been participating in various projects in which she’s had valuable experiences to learn the practical application of research to real-world situations.

YUHUA “MELODY” XU[Gefen/Jaffe Scholarship]Xu is a Research Assistant in Tourism, Recreation and Sport Management and is working towards the completion of Ph.D. degree with a focus on destination planning and community resilience. Her research seeks responsive solutions for destinations and communities in face of various disturbance and changes, and provides tools for sustainable development.

MARIEL WHITE[Guthrie Family Scholarship]White is a third-year Sport Management student. She hopes to work in Sports Information and would love to be employed by UF to work with football and baseball. White has worked with the University Athletic Association and the UF Gymnastics team and is a part of Association of Women in Sports Media at UF. White was featured in the Winter 2020 issue of Florida Gator Magazine and participated in the first season of UF’s podcast, Unstoppable Minds.

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Thank you to all of our donors, including those who have donated to the College of Health & Human Performance Scholarship Fund.

S C H O L A R S H I P D O N O R S

Lynda AndersonJamella BanksJane Bergman

Janice BerkebileSavannah Bowdoin

Linda CaldwellJoan Carroll

Mary CassanosGrace Castro

Elsie ColonDavid CuttonKenneth Dale

Lisa-Ann DickersonDouglas DickeyKathryn Dion

Janice DouglasKathy EscaleraDean Fishman

Louis FoleyJudy Ford

Andrea FourmanRon Fourman

Kwabea FrancisRobert Galbraith

Janelle GarciaMagda Gonzalez

Walter Gray

Chris HassJenny Hebert

Lena HemenwayKatherine HillApril HouchinCally House

Brynn HuysmanMykenzie Johnson

Bradd KaplanElizabeth Keppel

Jenny KezeleJack Kirtland

Yong KoWilliam Lindsay

Shari MackMerline Ann Malcolm

Mildred Maldonado Molina Mark C. McGriff LLC

Jack MassonMindy Menn

Megan MitchellJoseph Monroe II

John MurtyCarol NicholsonDavid PearsonTracey Phillips

Melissia Pletcher

Marjorie PowerRosemary PrinceDavid RamshawAlexandra Rich

Emilygrace RiebelingSusannah Rockman-Lee

Jennifer RulandKrystina SarffMichelle Smith

Paul SpangenbergCharles Spangler

Michael SpearCarey Strickland

Debra TackettSherry TeagueHout Van Hout

Frances VandiverAndrew Walker

Lesley WattRichard WhittakerShannon WigginsRichard WilhjelmMichael Wrenne

Sara YoungAnonymous (5)

HHP.UFL.EDU

Watch videos and see photos at hhp.ufl.edu/convocation