Class of 2008, Health Science/Occupational Therapy Major
Hometown: Mansfield, Ohio

Even with a challenging academic schedule and working jobs both on and off campus, health science/occupational therapy major Amanda Boyce made time to be involved on campus and continue doing activities she enjoys.

As a four-year member of the UF Concert-Chorale and a two-year member of the 12-voice ensemble University Singers, Boyce enjoys the opportunity to use her musical talents. “Being on stage is something that I like. It has nothing to do with my major, so it gave me a chance to do something that was different from what I was doing in my classes,” she said. Boyce also was involved in several UF musical theatre productions.

Amanda, center left, sings with the UF Singers in Ritz Auditorium.

She appreciated the support she received from Micheal F. Anders, Ph.D., director of music, who was always willing to schedule practices around the myriad activities and classes students are involved in. “Dr. Anders has been encouraging and always supportive of all of his students, even if we’re involved in activities other than choir.”

Boyce also mentioned professors Diana Montague, Ph.D., and Don Collins, both of whom taught Boyce’s freshman seminar class and even hosted class gatherings at their homes. Later in her college career, Boyce served as a peer mentor for a class taught by Montague and took psychology courses taught by Collins. “They’ve both been really supportive as professors and continue to support me in other activities at the University,” she said.

She had the opportunity to take leadership roles in other areas of campus, as well. During the past two summers, Boyce was an orientation leader for freshman registration. “It was a good opportunity to meet incoming freshmen and their parents and answer a lot of questions about things I had experience with,” she said. “We had a lot of fun during the whole process, like the time we were in the middle of an outdoor event, and it started downpouring outside. The orientation leaders had to move all of the food, giant inflatables and other equipment inside. We were soaked!”

She’s been rewarded for her hard work and involvement in a variety of ways. Boyce was named to the Aristos Eklektos honor society and served as president during the 2007-08 school year, and she was voted to be a member of the fall 2007 Homecoming court.

After commencement in May, Boyce will continue taking classes at the University to work toward her master of occupational therapy degree, which she will complete in December 2009. She is confident about her decision to complete her education at UF.

“I think we have a lot of good professors in the OT program. A lot of them have experience in a variety of clinical settings, and some have been involved in research. With small class sizes at Findlay, we gain a lot of one-on-one and hands-on instruction, and the professors encourage us to use that knowledge in our fieldwork experience and our future careers.”

Fieldwork also helps students discover which area of occupational therapy they would like to pursue after graduation. Boyce completed fieldwork in pediatrics at St. Rita’s Hospital in Lima this spring and may follow that path after she completes the program.

Her advice for current students: “Get involved in campus activities. You’ll gain leadership and responsibility skills, and a lot of clubs do fun things you’ll never get to do in class. Take a break from your schoolwork, and meet new people!”