Ohio University

Ohio University's College of Health Sciences and Professions proudly announced its 2020 Outstanding Graduate Award recipients with a virtual recognition. Of the more than 8,500 students enrolled in the college, 36 individuals were virtually recognized with honors this year. "Our students, particularly our seniors, have displayed great resilience and continued dedication in the sweeping educational and life changes that have taken place because of COVID-19," said CHSP Dean Dr. Randy Leite. "Although CHSP had to cancel its annual Student and Faculty Awards this year due to the pandemic, it remained important to us to take the time to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of this year's graduating class." Recipients were recognized for their contributions and accomplishments during the 2019-20 year. Individual awards were given under the categories of "Outstanding Graduates" for each school or department as well as "Physical Therapy" and "Athletic Training." "I have no doubt that the Class of 2020 will depart OHIO and help change the world; many of them already have," Leite said. "Each of our graduates carries the discipline, courage and compassion to make the world a better, and healthier, place."

In Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, the COVID-19 pandemic has been both a challenge and an opportunity, as students and faculty shifted to online-only instruction and shifted gears to have students cover multiple news developments related to the crisis. Covering COVID-19 was not just a priority for upper-level production courses and student-run campus media. Even the most entry-level course in the J-school curriculum mobilized students to report about the crisis both in their hometowns and in their home-away-from-home in Athens.

OHIO student Melissa Damico has been selected for the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year, highlighting her environmental research efforts. The Udall Foundation awards scholarships based on leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to the environment or Native American nations. Damico is a sophomore environmental studies major in the Honors Tutorial College with a minor in sociology and is also working towards a certificate in law, justice and culture. She is among 55 students from 48 colleges and universities across the United States selected as 2020 Udall Scholars.

Each spring, the School of Media Arts & Studies (MDIA) hosts its student awards banquet in Baker Center Ballroom, welcoming students and their families to join together to celebrate student scholarship and recognize award winners. With the conversion to remote instruction due to COVID-19 this spring semester, MDIA faculty continued that tradition by producing a 75-minute virtual awards ceremony which aired online last week. MDIA faculty members Josh Antonuccio and Andie Walla produced the virtual ceremony and expanded the event so that it not only announced student scholarship and award winners, but also included student performances, as well as exhibited student production work in animation, video and music.

Student athletes from OHIO's swimming and diving team have been named to the 2019-20 College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Division I Women's All-American Team, the organization announced April 8. Due to the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the CSCAA Board adjusted the selection criteria for each Division. Per the 2020 Division I All-American selection criteria, all Relays Achieving "A" Standards, individuals selected to the NCAA Championship, and divers entered in uncontested events from the Zone C Diving Qualification meet are named All-American.

Students from OHIO's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism won top prize in four categories in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 4 Mark of Excellence contest. Several Scripps students also finished as finalists in seven other categories. SPJ's Region 4 comprises Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will compete at the national level among winners from SPJ's other 11 regions. Ohio University competes in the large university division (enrollment 10,000+).