Celebrating the Class of 2025: A Weekend of Recognition, Joy, and Community

During a memorable commencement weekend at the University of Kentucky, the College of Public Health (CPH) hosted three unique events to honor the graduating Class of 2025. At the Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) Celebration, the Graduate Program End-of-Year Celebration, and the university-wide commencement, students, faculty, staff, friends, and families came together to mark this important milestone.

BPH Graduation Celebration

Held at the Gatton Student Center Ballrooms on May 9, the Bachelor of Public Health (BPH) Graduation Celebration provided a formal and heartfelt send-off for undergraduate students.

The event featured opening remarks from Dr. Sarah Cprek, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Affairs, followed by a thoughtful address from student speaker Emma Grace Hague, who reflected on her academic journey and the sense of community she found within the College of Public Health. Graduates were recognized during an awards presentation and a traditional cording ceremony, led by Jennifer Strange, Director of Undergraduate Student Success.

The celebration also included the induction of select students into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health, acknowledging their academic excellence and commitment to the field. The event concluded with closing remarks from Anna Hallahan, Director of External Affairs.

• 2025 inductees into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health: Caitlin Deffendall, Emma Grace Hague, Abigail Humphrey, Hannah Johnson, Carly Meyers, Abigail Miller, Isabel Schmitt

Award Highlights from the BPH Celebration:

• Maurice A. Clay Award – Emma Grace Hague
  This university-wide honor recognizes an outstanding graduating senior in each academic college at UK for exceptional leadership and service while maintaining a strong academic record.

• Outstanding BPH Student Award – Isabel Schmitt
  Awarded to a student who has demonstrated above-and-beyond excellence in the BPH program.

• Promising Practitioner Award – Samantha “Sami” Jones
  Any BPH, MPH, or DrPH student who shows the most potential to impact the future of public health through public health practice. Examples of practice could include, but are not limited to any of the following per the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) definition: Mentoring, collaborating, and/or working with local, state, federal, or tribal public health practitioners on projects, committees, legislation, policies, initiatives, etc. that aim to prevent, protect, or promote health in Kentucky communities.

• Undergraduate Research Award – Carly Meyers
  Awarded to a BPH student whose research activities demonstrate the potential to make an impact in the area of public health research.

• Golden Rule Award in Honor of John Wiggs – Sara Dickens
  Presented to a student who exemplifies kindness, integrity, and a commitment to helping others.

• Undergraduate Leadership Award – Ashley York
  Celebrates a student who has shown outstanding leadership and initiative in public health activities.

• Golden Apple Award (Faculty) – Dr. Sarah Vos
  Awarded to an outstanding professor for excellence in teaching and leadership. This year’s recipient was recognized by students for her impact in and beyond the classroom.

Graduate Program End-of-Year Celebration

Held on May 9 at Shillito Park, the Graduate Program End-of-Year Celebration offered a relaxed and joyful atmosphere for students, faculty, and staff. Guests enjoyed outdoor games, a hot dog stand, and festive swag bags, creating the perfect setting to reflect on the academic year.

The informal gathering also honored students for their induction into two public health-related honor societies and recognized several graduate students with program awards for excellence, leadership, and service.

• 2025 Inductees into the Upsilon Phi Delta honor society: Charisma Cornell, Megan Crabtree, Sarah Dunn, Claire Glenn, Sylvia Justice, Jessica Musselman, Kelton Crank, Johnny Zelenak, Holly Powers, Arikka Standifer, KK Begley, Divya Kondaveeti, Chad Nash, Caroline Prewitt, Jayden Riggs, Muhammad Ahmad, Ryan Hammett, Ashley Owens, Brittany Quick, Lauren Henley, Joko Bojang, Rebecca Cook O’Sullivan, Morgan Tennebar, Ashley Carstensen, Bryanna Lucas

• 2025 Inductees into the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health: Haritomane Brillakis, Gracelyn Bush, Madelyne Culbertson, Megan Damico, Faith Fursman, Chad Guilliams, Preston Tolbert, Michaela Voit

Graduate Program Award Winners:

• Outstanding MHA Student Award – Claire Glenn
  To recognize the outstanding academic, service, and professional performance of a graduating student in the healthcare administration industry.

• MHA Service to Others – Rebekah Cook O’Sullivan

• MHA Above and Beyond – Johnny Zelenak

• MHA Pillar of Strength – Joko Bojang

• MHA Role Model – Sylvia Justice

• MHA Positive Impact – Caroline Prewitt

• MHA Student Mentor – Muhammad Ahmad

• MHA Communications – Charisma Cornell

• MHA Service to Country – Bryanna Lucas

• MPH Outstanding Student Award – Amara Danturthi
  Student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance as defined by highest cumulative GPA upon graduation.

• Outstanding PhD Student Award – Todd Burus

• Outstanding MS Student Award – Luu Le

Commencement

The weekend concluded with the University of Kentucky’s formal commencement ceremony on May 10. Dressed in caps and gowns, CPH graduates walked across the stage to mark the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. The atmosphere at the ceremony exuded pride, joy, and hopeful anticipation for the next chapter in each student’s journey.

View the photos from all three events below and help us celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the Class of 2025.