Graduates in the spotlight
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Kristina Kehoe: She set the 'stage' at UA for next phase of career preparation
With a love of both dance and science, Kristina Kehoe came to The University of Akron undecided about which to pursue as a major. Then she was introduced to a career option that combined these interests with another love — helping others.
Kristina Kehoe
Now the honors student will receive a B.S. in Exercise Science, magna cum laude at the 2 p.m. commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 6. Kehoe has been chosen to speak on behalf of the Spring 2011 Class as the student responder at the ceremony.
Mark Hedegore: His second career begins now
Mark Hedegore
After a few years as a financial analyst, Mark Hedegore hit the reset button, enrolled at Akron and will earn a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, summa cum laude this May.
"The fields are about as far apart as you can get," he says. "After a few years as an analyst, I decided that I want a career in which I interact more with people. My degree in dietetics will allow that, and the two degrees together will open more doors for me."
Hedegore has been honored for his accomplishments in and out of the classroom by being asked to address his fellow graduates at the 10 a.m. commencement on Sunday, May 6.
He maintained a 3.96 GPA while completing 1,200 hours of supervised practice required for graduation. Included were rotations at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute and the OSU Extension in Lorain County.
New skills used well
At the clinic, Hedegore helped roll out a wellness program for the Eaton Corp., and he helped develop the curriculum for a college that is going to issue a Cleveland Clinic Wellness certificate. He worked alongside a clinic wellness manager on research for her media engagements, assisted her in counseling clients by analyzing diets, and helped out with various tasks related to the clinic's Lifestyle 180 and Sirens programs.
At the extension service, Hedegore helped create and implement a wellness program at an elementary school in Wellington, Ohio. The food service and recreation program was revamped, and segments about good dietary habits were woven into the curricula.
Outside of his studies, Hedegore served as president of the University's Student Dietetic Association. As president, he co-chaired the adopt-a-family program and instituted the "Fuel Up to Play 60" initiative in area schools. As part of his "Fuel Up" work, he applied for and received a grant that was used to enhance the program at the Wellington school.
"I've enjoyed my time at Akron," Hedegore says. He is especially appreciative of his fellow dietetics students, whom he described as kind, mature and generous with their time. "It seems that the busiest people are the most generous with their time," he says.
The same can be said of Hedegore.
She'll have just enough time to get her UA diploma framed before she begins to earn her next one. In June, Kehoe heads to Ohio State University to start a three-year program to earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree.
"I’ve always been active, I did cross-country in high school and dance from an early age, mostly ballet," says Kehoe. "I started out in biology, but physical therapy gives me the opportunity to take my experiences and interests and help people directly."
Despite her indecision about a major, the Conneaut, Ohio, native says coming to UA was an easy choice to make. "I really liked the campus and there are so many opportunities. And there's a lot more diversity among the people here, which is so different from my tiny hometown."
Top scholar
She also received several important scholarships, including being chosen as a STEM Scholar (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and The University of Akron Honors Scholarship and The University of Akron Presidential Scholarship.
Kehoe was quick to embrace a wide variety of opportunities she saw here.
For all four years on campus, she was a student assistant at Bierce Library and, since 2011, she has taught classes for young dancers at Wildfire Dance. A member of the Multicultural Honors Society, Kehoe has been a volunteer for many organizations, including Summit County Senior Olympics, Active Aging Wellness Fair, Summit Athletic Running Club, Hearts for Humanity and Relay for Life.
In both 2010 and 2011, she was part of UA’s Alternative Spring Break Trip to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild homes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.
Taking a chance — gaining experiences
"I had no experience with painting and carpentry," Kehoe admits with a smile. "But I learned a lot helping to demolish one house and painting and caulking at another. The people there were so friendly and so appreciative of everything we did to help them."
As part of her degree work, Kehoe gained practical experience volunteering at Akron General Medical Center. She worked with patients in the hospital and those coming in for therapy as they recovered from injuries and surgeries. Those hours have given her a direction for what area in which she might specialize.
"It's still early to decide, but I'm very interested in working in the geriatrics field," says Kehoe.
As for her advice to incoming freshmen?
"Take advantage of all the opportunities you can — UA has a lot to offer," says Kehoe. "I’m sad to leave, but I feel very satisfied with my time here, and I am fully prepared for what comes next."
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