Congratulations to the April Class of 2025
On Thursday, April 10, Baptist Health Sciences University held a spring commencement ceremony at Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee. President of the university, Hampton Hopkins, Ed.D., conferred associate and bachelor’s degrees to 99 graduates in the programs of Biomedical Sciences, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Health Administration, Medical Radiography, Neurodiagnostic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Pre-Health Studies, Radiation Therapy, Respiratory Care, Nursing, and Surgical Technology.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Anuja Ghorpade recognized graduates receiving special honors, including magna cum laude, summa cum laude, and cum laude distinctions.
Mrs. Beverly Jordan, Board of Directors Chair, presented the Board of Directors award and Dr. Ling Lee Achievement Award to John Hunter. The Board of Directors award recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, commitment to community service, commitment to Christian principles, and potential for leadership in the health care professions.
The Dr. Ling Lee award is named in memory of Dr. Ling H. Lee, a longtime radiologist at Baptist Memorial Hospital. In addition to his outstanding career as a radiologist, Dr. Lee was an inventor who was awarded seven patents for various inventions The recipient of this award has attained the highest cumulative grade point average among the Medical Radiography graduates.
Director of Development for the Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation, Sherita Martin, presided over the following awards:
Elizabeth Farnell Achievement Award – Presented to Presley Williams. This award, named in memory of Elizabeth Farnell, vice president of Nursing for Baptist Memorial Hospital from 1971 to 1991, honors her significant contributions to the nursing profession during her 20 years of service. The recipient attained the highest cumulative grade point average among entry-to-practice nursing graduates.
Dr. Emmel Golden Award – Presented Angel Hutton. This award is named in honor of Dr. Emmel Golden, an esteemed pulmonologist, who is a champion for respiratory care and health sciences education. The recipient of this award has attained the highest cumulative grade point average among the Respiratory Care graduates.
Dr. John F. Rockett Award -- Presented to Jasmine Johnson. This award is named in memory of Dr. John F. Rockett, an esteemed nuclear medicine physician at Baptist Memorial Hospital, who demonstrated a commitment to teaching, research, and the practice of medicine. The recipient of this award has demonstrated outstanding academic performance in research methodology and a commitment to excellence in clinical practice in the field of Nuclear Medicine.
Sarah Ainsworth Award – Presented to Kenyon Page. Established by a gift from her husband, Jim, this award honors Sarah Ainsworth’s dedication to helping her students grow as health care professionals. The recipient demonstrates leadership potential, commitment to Christian values, and ranks in the top 25% of the graduating class.
Dean of Nursing Cathy Stepter presented the Sigma Theta Tau Student Achievement Award to nursing graduate Kenyon Page. This award, given by faculty, recognizes a nursing graduate who embodies the mission of Sigma Theta Tau International, the National Honor Society of Nursing and the second-largest nursing organization in the world. The recipient has demonstrated leadership in the classroom and clinical settings.
2025 Honors Scholars
On April 8, 2025, four scholars Hailey Goff, Medical Radiography, John Hunter, Medical Radiography, Constancia Bingham, Nursing, and Kenyon Page, Nursing, were recognized at Baptist Health Sciences University’s Honors Medallion Ceremony.
Honors Program Coordinator, Dr. Paul Criss, states, “The Honors Medallion Ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of graduating Honors students. We have four students graduating at the April 2025 graduation ceremony. Two students presented and defended their Honors Capstone Experience Projects at the BHSU ELEVATE Student Research Symposium.”
Hailey Goff
Honors Scholar Capstone Experience Project:
Contraindications for CT and MRI with John Hunter
Professor Laura Baker, HSCE Advisor
John Hunter
Honors Scholar Capstone Experience Project:
Contraindications for CT and MRI with Hailey Goff
Professor Laura Baker, HSCE Advisor
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Congratulations, graduates! On behalf of Baptist Health Sciences University and the Alumni Association, it is our pleasure to officially welcome you to our team of alumni. You are a special part of our BHSU family, a connection that will remain with you for the rest of your life. As you begin your journey in your career, please know that you have a tremendous amount of support surrounding you. We wish you the very best and continued success in the fulfillment of your calling. Keep us updated at [email protected].