Graduates
Eastern Kentucky University - Emily Layne Vaught will graduate Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor of science in occupational science. Along with this, she is graduating as an Honors Scholar after completing four years of honors coursework and an independent, year-long undergraduate research study titled, "A Phenomenological Study of the Occupational Choices of Adult Children of Alcoholics," which she plans to submit to the Journal of Occupational Science for publication in 2009 and present at a national occupational science conference.
Emily says, "I've had incredible opportunities throughout my time in college, including: four years of employment in the Office of Admissions, being the student assistant to Eastern's Committee for Responsible Environmental Stewardship and the student coordinator for Earth Days at EKU 2009, working student recruitment events for the honors program, serving three semesters as the president of the Students of Occupational Science Association, being elected and re-elected as both the junior and senior OS class representative to faculty business meetings, my two-year involvement in The Vagina Monologues, presenting twice at the third annual OS/OT Research Day, volunteering for the Special Olympics' Young Athletes program and as a 4-H Camp adult counselor, consistently being named to the dean's and/or president's list, receiving the dean's award in Fall 2008, and serving on the Activities Programming Board. However, this all culminates in my being chosen as EKU's 2009 student commencement speaker, which will allow me to reflect upon the many opportunities and successes I have been so fortunate to have experienced over the last four years. Also, as student commencement speaker, I have been invited to attend a luncheon on graduation day with Dr. Doug Whitlock, President of EKU."
