By: M. SCACCHITTI, ’18, Staff Writer

For so many of our seniors, we celebrate the accomplishments they have made in their undergraduate careers here at The Valley; today’s commencement is their final bow.

But for some students, this ceremony will only be the summation of act one in their academic careers.   Seniors in the six-year physical therapy program walking the commencement stage are not at the finish line just yet.

“The real graduation I want to be at is in two years,” Yale Maier, a fourth-year PT major, said. “Receiving my health sciences degree is merely a stepping stone in my professional career. There’s lot more work to do.”

After receiving their undergraduate degrees in health sciences, the upcoming fifth year of the doctorate program for the physical therapy students will involve completing clinical rotations over the summer before returning to campus. Maier plans on completing his rotation in Charleston, S.C.

For the sixth-year students, today’s commencement marks the end of a long journey. They will be presented to family and friends as doctors of physical therapy. Nicole Kracum, ’15, remembers what it was like to graduate two years ago.

“I didn’t feel like I was done,” Kracum said. While she had the opportunity to walk with her fellow classmates, she felt different.

“Everyone else was graduating, moving on with their careers, and I still had another two years,” Kracum said.

When the graduating sixth-years were announced, she was instantly reminded of this fact.

“Listening to the sixth years being announced as doctors was unnerving. I knew that was going to be me. It gave me the chills.”

According to Kracum, coming back to LVC campus for her final two years was an indifferent feeling.

“All of your friends were gone. They’ve graduated,” Kracum said. She still kept in contact with many of her friends from undergrad, but they were starting their carreers and she was still studying.

This experience allowed Kracum to get to know the other physical therapy students on a more personal level. Kracum’s favorite memory in the PT program was celebrating Thanksgiving with her fellow PT students along with their faculty members.

“We made Thanksgiving dinner, and each of us brought different dishes. It was fun to spend time not only with the other students, but with the faculty as well,” Kracum said. “You have been working with them for so long, they are basically your friends too.”

Looking back on her six years, Kracum encourages fourth years going into the final years of the program to study but also to enjoy the remaining time they have as LVC students.

“It went so fast,” Kracum said. “Study, study a lot. When you have the opportunity to take a break and spend time with your friends, take it. It goes too quick.”

After graduation, Kracum plans on studying even more; she plans on taking the board exams this coming July. Kracum then hopes to work as a doctor of physical therapy in the Baltimore area.