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Thirty-seven candidates in ������Ƶ’s doctor of physical therapy program received their degrees on Dec. 6, 2009, in a ceremony featuring an address from John D. Childs, associate professor and director of research for the U.S. Army in the Baylor University doctoral program in physical therapy.

With their ������Ƶ tutors in tow, 22 children made beelines Wednesday evening for such titles as “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Just Grace and the Snack Attack,” books at a local retailer that would, hopefully, foster a deeper love of the written word while rewarding their progress in a reading program organized by an upper level education course.

Judy Esposito, associate professor of human services studies, had an article titled “Student Actors as Mock-clients: Authentic Learning for Human Services Students” in the Fall 2009 edition of Human Service Education.

A Leisure and Sport Management class led by associate professor Hal Walker planned and hosted two events over the fall semester in which students raised $2,800 for philanthropic causes.

From participating in family talent shows to working at Flat Rock Playhouse in North Carolina, ������Ƶ senior Christopher Staskel has always bled theatre, whether acting, dancing or singing. The North Carolina native, the fourth student to be featured in a monthly series of E-net profiles on the inaugural class of the university's Lumen Scholars, is now at it again – this time as the mastermind behind an original stage production.

Luminarias bathed the ������Ƶ campus in a soft yellow glow Thursday evening as students, faculty, staff and community members filled Scott Plaza for the annual Holiday Celebration and lighting ceremony, which featured Christmas carols and a visit from – who else? – Mr. and Mrs. Kris Kringle.

������Ƶ junior Kayla Hicken received a North Carolina Campus Compact Community Impact Student Award last month during the Compact’s student conference at Western Carolina University.

Leisure and Sport Management students, faculty and a local professional from the RBC Center spoke recently at the NCAAHPERD conference in Winston-Salem, N.C., held Nov. 12-14, 2009.

Three faculty members in the School of Education have been awarded Re-Assigned Time for 2010-11 to pursue professional activities.