Since first coming together for freshman orientation to begin their undergraduate journey, this year's graduating class has traveled diverse paths to get to commencement. But when they come together again to receive their diplomas, they'll take with them a common set of lessons learned.
That's the message Jeffrey Walch, this year's student speaker at commencement, will deliver to his 2002 classmates in a speech titled "One Thousand Faces."
"We did our own different things, but we've learned that hard work and perseverance pays off," Walch said. "We've grown and learned by participating in different activities, but we'll all take with us compassion, sincerity, responsibility and accountability. May we, the Class of 2002, each be able to take the lessons we have learned together on to our next destination."
Walch is graduating from the Bachelor of Science and Arts program with concentrations in biology and architecture. He was named to the USA Today All-USA College Academic Team as an honorable mention selection.
A brother of Phi Kappa Theta, Walch served as Greek Sing Chairman, Judicial Board Chairman and President of the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society. He was nominated for the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, the Sigma Xi Research Honor Society and the Senior Leadership Award.
His interest in medicine and architecture led him to form an interdisciplinary research team to study "The Effect of Hospital Room Color on the Recovery of Ischemic Stroke Patients." The experiment received the American Institute of Architecture Students National Research Honor Award.
During the next two years, Walch plans to do research at the University of Pittsburgh Medical School on how color, design elements and environmental aspects of a hospital room effect a patient's recovery. His research is being sponsored by UPMC. He eventually plans to enroll in a MD doctoral program which allows doctor's to practice and do research.
This past year, Walch worked with the Undergraduate Research Initiative to expand its Undergraduate Research Symposium as part of his special fifth-year scholarship. He was president of this year's symposium student committee.
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Sally Stewart
(05/10/02)