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Clarkson College Student Becomes Sixth National Scholarship Award Winner

  • 25 July 2018

Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) student Amy Nuckoles continued a tradition of excellence when she accepted the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award at the American Physical Therapist Association (APTA) NEXT Conference in June. The Clarkson College PTA program has graduated six scholarship recipients since 2004, more than any other institution in the nation. 

APTA awards the Mary McMillan Scholarship to students in the last year of an accredited physical therapist (PT) or PTA program who demonstrate superior scholastic performance and potential for future contributions to the profession. “I am grateful to be honored for my commitment and dedication,” said Nuckoles. “I worked hard to excel in the PTA program, give back to the College community as a leader in different student associations and become an active APTA member.” 

Nuckoles was one of three scholarship award winners honored at the NEXT conference held in Orlando, Fla. on June 27-30. Director of PTA Dr. Michael Witte and Assistant Professor Karen Abboud attended the conference and had the opportunity to support Nuckoles as she accepted her award. Along with the awards ceremony, attendees experienced diverse, forward-thinking programming and connected with fellow professionals from across the country. 

Graduating six Mary McMillan Scholarship winners is just one of the ways the PTA program demonstrates its commitment to academic excellence. The program continues a long history of advancing the field and solidified itself as a leader in education with the implementation of the Bachelor of Science in PTA program option in 2017. The College is one of the first institutions in the nation to offer a Bachelor’s degree option in PTA that allows newly certified and practicing PTAs the opportunity to enhance their skills and proficiency in the field. 

“Our PTA program has long been respected in our local area for having outstanding students and the best graduates in our profession,” said Dr. Witte. “We are honored to have our national association acknowledge our outstanding students and the quality of education that we offer at Clarkson College. Ms. Nuckoles is a shining example and an inspiration as we continue to prepare high quality, ethical and compassionate providers for twenty-first century practice.” 

Nuckoles will continue on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in PTA from Clarkson College after graduating with her Associate’s degree this August. Continuing her education and earning an advanced degree through the Bachelor’s degree option allows her to further explore the field that she loves. “Earning my degree has been challenging, but it was worth every minute.”  

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