The University of Colorado Physical Therapy Program celebrated the graduation of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2025. Festivities were held over a three-day period, including the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association Graduation Party on Thursday, December 11, 2025, the Convocation Ceremony on Friday, December 12, 2025, and Commencement on Saturday, December 13, 2025. 70 graduating students were recognized for this monumental milestone in their education.

The weekend was kicked off with the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association Graduation Party, which was hosted at Comrade Brewing Company in Denver the evening of Thursday, December 11th. There were over 140 attendees including graduates and their families, members of the PT Alumni Association Board of Directors, as well as members of the CU PT faculty.

The afternoon of Friday, December 12th, the annual Convocation Ceremony was held in Education 2 South at CU Anschutz, and was marshalled by Alyssa Arms, PT, DPT, OCS. Graduates and their guests heard introductory remarks from CU PT Program Director and Associate Dean for Physical Therapy Education Michael Harris-Love, PT, MPT, DSc, FGSA, FAPTA; Roderick Nairn, PhD, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs; John Sampson, MD, PhD, MHSc, MBA, Dean of the CU Anschutz School of Medicine; and Venu Akuthota, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Class President Makayla Callender made comments to her class, and faculty member Lauren Hinrichs-Kinney, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS was selected to deliver graduation addresses to the class.

Following their speeches was the presentation of awards. Deana Gordon, PT, DPT ‘20, President of the CU Physical Therapy Alumni Association presented the Rising Star Award to Alice Barnes, PT, DPT '19, SCS, and the Alumni Achievement Award to Rebecca Keefer, PT, DPT '11, CCS.

Catherine Bilyeu, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS was presented the Cerasoli Award for Outstanding Contributions to Physical Therapy Education. Elshimaa Basha, MPH was presented with the Champion of Physical Therapy Award. Lauren Hinrichs-Kinney, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS was formally recognized with the CU President's Excellence in Teaching Award, and Dana Judd, PT, DPT, PhD was formally recognized with the CU Chancellor's Teaching Award.

In addition, the program recognized our graduating PT residents Courtney Kinniburgh, PT, DPT; Jared Buntin, PT, DPT; Jess Pivnik, PT, DPT; and Rebecca Dehne, PT, DPT. The program also presented the Outstanding Clinical Instructors Awards to Winter Ball, PT, DPT and Jay Harpp, PT, DPT.

Various faculty members then presented the student awards. The below students were recognized:

• Mary Gosnell Award: Max Martinez
• Richard D. Krugman Spirit of Service Award: Makayla Callender
• Outstanding Capstone Award: Elizabeth Hennessey
• National Physical Therapy Honor Society: Taryn Banfield, Patrick Carroll, Amy Delaney, Colleen Donoghue, Gabbi Fisher, Elizabeth Hennessey, Max Martinez, Jacqueline Mosley, Amber Padgett, Ella Ruehr, Olivia Seiller, Brianna Wheeler, Daniel White
• Physical Therapy Altruism in Action Award: Bianca Reinalda
• Herbert J. Levy Humanitarian Award: Mackenzie Whiteside
• Outstanding Doctor of Physical Therapy Award: Makayla Callender

Following the presentation of student awards, Drs. Arms and Harris-Love delivered the closing remarks, and there was a reception held in the lobby outside the auditorium.

On Saturday, December 13th, the official CU Anschutz Commencement Ceremony was held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. CU Physical Therapy joined the CU College of Nursing, CU Anschutz Graduate School, Colorado School of Public Health, and Anesthesiology Assistant Program in conferring degrees to our graduates. We are so proud of our 2025 graduates and can't wait to hear about all they will accomplish as doctors of physical therapy as they join our network of over 2,000 CU PT Alumni!