Alongside family and friends, students celebrated Fall Commencement Friday during the first in-person graduation ceremony since the pandemic began about two years ago.

The class included graduates in the chiropractic medicine, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, oriental medicine, clinical practice and biomedical science programs.

President Joseph Stiefel, MS, EdD, DC, started the ceremony by recognizing and thanking all of those who kept the university going through the pandemic. During their speeches, valedictorians also offered advice and thanked those that supported them through their academic journeys.

Piotr Malik, valedictorian of the Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences program, talked to students about his decision four years ago to stop putting off school and finally get started.

Whitney Dunlop, valedictorian of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, delivers her valedictorian speech.

“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago and the second best time is today,” he said. “I’m glad I asked why not.”

Whitney Dunlop, valedictorian of the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine program, encouraged her fellow classmates to remember the interactions they have with patients.

“Don’t let outside pressures influence what you know and believe,” she said.

In his final remarks, Dr. Stiefel gave students three ingredients to take with them to be successful in their careers.

“[1] Be genuine, it’s rare these days…[2] No matter how many degrees you have, the details matter…[3] Stay magically curious about your professions,” he said.

Daniel Strauss, DC, Dean of the College of Professional Studies in Florida, awards the December 2021 Joseph Janse Outstanding Graduate Award to Angelica Clark, who graduated with her Master of Science in Acupuncture.

Doctor of Chiropractic

Lillian Armoush

Kamila Bafia-Janik

Ryan Bielecki

Corey Brown

Adam B. Cabaniss

Taryn Cass

Konrad Chojnowski

Theodore Joseph D’Amico II

Emily A. Eaton

Ashley Nicole Fernandez

Alyssa Filkins

Jennifer Gambino

David Glazer

Jennifer Renee Green

Kevin Jakowitsch

Nicholas J. Januszko

Patrick Johnston

Kirk Jones

Samuel Jumbo

Lorenzo Javier Lao

Jailine Lopez Diaz

Ioana Manahilova

Joseph Santino Martusciello

Marco Anthony Martusciello

Lauren Ashley McDonel

Amanda Myers

Alan Edward Norman

Jared C. North

Christine Jean Oakley

Halima Phelps (Summer ‘20)

Zachary Romp

Katarzyna Anna Sala

Liron Saletsky

Kathryn Marie Schirn

Austin David Schultzu

Evan J. Soutter

Jonathan William Stevens

Sana Sultana

Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Kinan M. Abdulbaki

Whitney Dunlop

Aisha Karidio

Beatriz Medina (Summer ’20)

Iliass Najimi

Bryancis Perdomo

Karolina Pray (Summer ‘21)

Nari Salim

Shawna Leah Singrin

Taylor Tesar

Sherita Yvette Vann

Master of Science in Acupuncture

Valbona Bajrami

Angelica Clark

Kristin Eisenschmid

Tara Jakubek

Master of Science in Oriental Medicine

Caitlin M. Bukowski

Thomas Leonard Haas

Ming Yi

Elang Yoo

Master of Science in Clinical Practice

William S. Chromey

Nadene Johnson

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science

Dominic LaSpisa

Piotr Malik