Bellarmine is celebrating the successes of its graduating class with a host of events, activities, and commencement ceremonies. The university will award undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees on May 9 at Freedom Hall. Our Great Grads represent a cross-section of our student body's many accomplishments, backgrounds, majors, stories, and interests. We wish them and the entire Class of 2026 the very best.
John Alie
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
Major: Finance
Minors: Accounting
BU activities/honors: Captain of the D1 Men鈥檚 Lacrosse Team and President / Founder of the Bellarmine Real Estate Club
Internships/work experience while at BU: Cost segregation consultant intern @ Plante Moran / Investment Brokerage Intern @ Marcus & Millichap / Investment Sales Intern @ Northmarq
Career plans: Commercial Real Estate Brokerage. I plan to pursue a career in commercial real estate, starting in multifamily investment sales. After graduation, I will work as an Investment Sales Analyst at Northmarq in Denver, where I鈥檒l focus on underwriting deals, conducting market analysis, and supporting transaction execution. Long term, I aim to transition into a brokerage role and eventually become a real estate investor.
Why Bellarmine? I chose Bellarmine because it offered a strong academic environment while also giving me the opportunity to compete at the Division I level in lacrosse. What stood out to me was the close-knit community and the access to professors who genuinely care about your development. It felt like a place where I could grow both in the classroom and as a person, not just be another number.
How would you describe your BU experience? My experience at Bellarmine has been both challenging and rewarding in the best way. As a student-athlete, I learned how to manage my time, stay disciplined, and perform under pressure, while also pushing myself academically in finance and accounting. Beyond that, being able to found the Real Estate Club and connect with professionals in the industry made my experience even more meaningful. Bellarmine gave me the opportunity to grow as a student, leader, and person.
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? What made my experience unique was the chance to leave a lasting impact on campus. Through founding the Real Estate Club, I was able to create opportunities for students to learn about and connect with the real estate industry, something that wasn鈥檛 previously available. Pairing that with competing at the Division I level made my time at Bellarmine both challenging and rewarding in a way that felt truly unique.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. There were a few people who made a lasting impact on my experience at Bellarmine. Coach Whitley and Coach Draper played a huge role in my development, not just as a player but as a person. They pushed me to be consistent, disciplined, and accountable every day, which is something I鈥檒l carry with me long after lacrosse. Academically, Professor Dan Bauer had a big impact on me as well. He challenged me to think differently and helped strengthen my understanding of finance in a way that directly prepared me for my career.
What did you like best about your field of study? What I liked most about studying finance was how practical and applicable it is. Everything we learned, from analyzing investments to understanding markets and financial statements, ties directly into real-world decisions. It gave me a strong foundation for commercial real estate and helped me think more critically about risk, value, and long-term strategy.
Anything else that you鈥檇 like us to know about you or your time at BU? I鈥檓 really grateful for everything Bellarmine has given me over the past four years. It challenged me in a lot of ways and gave me opportunities I wouldn鈥檛 have had otherwise, both as a student-athlete and through leadership roles like starting the Real Estate Club. I鈥檓 leaving feeling confident and prepared for what鈥檚 next, and I鈥檓 excited to represent Bellarmine as I start my career.
Dallas Bonnet
Hometown: Borden, Indiana
Major: Political Science, Criminal Justice, & Sociology
Minors: Women and Gender Studies
BU activities/honors: Student Government Association Class Representative, President of Bellarmine Reproductive Justice Association, Bellarmine Foreign Affairs Society, Public Relations Chair for Political Science Club, CJSA Club (Criminal Justice, Soc, Anth)
Internships/work experience while at BU: Bellarmine Library Circulation Desk Assistant (2022-2024), Tour Guide (2024-2025), Louisville Community Bail Fund Legal Intern (Fall 2024), Newman Civic Fellow (2025), RISE Tutor through the CCE (2024-2026)
Career plans: I am going to law school this fall, most likely at Notre Dame Law School. From there, I plan to pursue a career in law. I'm most interested in constitutional law, public policy, and public defense, so I will likely end up in one of those fields. After practicing law for some amount of years, I plan to pursue a PhD in Criminology or Political Science with the hopes of eventually becoming a law school professor.
Why Bellarmine? I chose Bellarmine because of its convenient location and smaller size. I really wanted to go to a university where I felt known and seen by my peers and professors, and Bellarmine gave me exactly that.
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? The amazing faculty and staff made my Bellarmine experience so special in every possible way. All the way from my BU-100 professor, Chris Smith, who was my first impression of Bellarmine to Dr. Liz Todd Byron in the CCE advising me through my fellowship, to Dr. Lee Remington teaching the courses that made me find my passion in law, to my honors thesis advisor Dr. Heather Pruss who answered my endless questions and encouraged me throughout the whole process, to Dr. Aaron Hoffman and Dr. David Scott helping me through the law school application process, along with so many more examples, the people at Bellarmine are really what makes it so special.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. Dr. Heather Pruss in the Criminal Justice Studies department made an exceptional difference during my time here. As the sole full-time Criminal Justice Studies faculty member, she always works hard to ensure we have a variety of major-related classes and feels supported in everything, from intro all the way to our internships. She served as an honors thesis advisor to two other students and me, a huge task in and of itself, but she gave us each the individual attention and help that we needed to be successful in this endeavor. Her class on restorative justice completely changed the way in which I view the criminal legal system and how we handle crime as a society. That class was transformative, and I now try to incorporate restorative practices in every aspect of my life. She is always there with a listening ear and some good advice, and my Bellarmine experience would not have been the same without her!
What did you like best about your field of study? I had the unique opportunity to major in three different areas of study, which really broadened my worldview as they built upon one another. I came in as a Political Science student and quickly learned how political policy and laws affect us as citizens. This made me curious about our prison system and how it affects communities, which led me to add a Criminal Justice major. Through this field, I learned how various communities are more affected than others by the criminal legal system, and that made me curious about what societal factors led to some people causing harm to others in their communities and what made others not. This ultimately led me to add a Sociology/Anthropology major, where I learned more about the social pressures that people face and how that can shape their actions. What I liked best about all three fields of study is how they each explain a different part of our society.
Ashton Defreeze
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Doctor of Physical Therapy
BU activities/honors: Multiple intramural sport participant- basketball 3v3 & 5v5
Internships/work experience while at BU: Service learning clinics- oncology SLC, Sports SLC, Pediatric SLC. Traveled for clinical rotations to Bowling Green, KY; Paducah, KY; and lastly in Louisville, KY
Career plans: Physical therapy
Why Bellarmine? Prior to starting PT school, I did a lot of research about various schools across the US and chose to apply and attend Bellarmine because of the positive reviews from people in the community, having support from my family throughout my time here, and the quality of the education provided here!
How would you describe your BU experience? Very impactful! The last three years have been nothing short of life-changing! Very grateful to the school for all the resources, to all the professors for all the support, and to all the friends I鈥檝e made along the way. I think the best way to express my experience would be exactly what all the professors mentioned at our white coat ceremony鈥� 鈥淟ong days, short years鈥�
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? All the friends/ classmates I鈥檝e interacted with made my time at Bellarmine nothing short of amazing !
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. The entire DPT staff is always nice, accommodating, and supportive when you reach out!
What did you like best about your field of study? I get to help people! I see people on some of their worst days, and I get the opportunity to make a difference in people鈥檚 lives, one joint/one muscle at a time!
Emily Murphy
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Arts Administration Minors: Sociology
BU activities/honors: Alpha Lamba Delta member, Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Anthropology Student Club
Internships/work experience while at BU: Art and sciences assistant (2022-2024), surf staff (2024-2026), shenanigans (2025-2026), StageOne Family Theatre (intern - semester 2025), Actors Theatre of Louisville (intern - spring 2026)
Career plans: A career in the administrative side of public arts.
Why Bellarmine? It gave me the ability to pursue a career I was interested in and remain close to family. And scholarships!
How would you describe your BU experience? I have loved every second of it. I have made amazing networking connections and friends that will last me a lifetime!
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. Penelope Peavler - she has been an exceptional mentor and has passed along knowledge and career advice that have impacted me greatly already. I look forward to keeping a relationship with her throughout my life and continuing to learn from her.
What did you like best about your field of study? Getting to tour and learn about all the local arts organizations.
Anything else that you鈥檇 like us to know about you or your time at BU? I have loved it, and I wouldn鈥檛 trade it for the world!
Lauren Pappalardo
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: History and Political Science
Minors: Peace Studies and Forced Immigration & Refugee Studies
BU activities/honors: Student Government Association (2025-2026 Student Body President), Bellarmine Society, Pre-Law Society (President), Bellarmine Foreign Affairs Society (President),
Internships/work experience while at BU: Internship at Ackerson and Yann Law Firm, Internship with the Victims' Advocacy department at Kentucky Refugee Ministries
Career plans: After completing the London School of Economics and Political Science's MSc in International Relations next year, I plan to attend law school with a focus on international humanitarian law and human rights, eventually progressing to work within an intergovernmental organization dedicated to developing, interpreting, and protecting global human rights standards. I hope to pursue a career that involves scholastic, diplomatic, and policy-driven work, emphasizing both theoretical discourse and lived experience. My ultimate goal is to participate in the creation of more equitable and legitimate international standards and to witness their tangible impacts on communities worldwide.
Why Bellarmine? I chose Bellarmine because of the supportive staff, faculty, and community. At Bellarmine people made an effort to know my interests, passions, and goals and were always looking for ways to help me succeed. I was challenged and invested in while being supported and loved.
How would you describe your BU experience? At BU I have had an incredible experience. I truly feel as though I have received the most impactful gift of education for mind, body, and spirit. After attending Bellarmine for four years, I feel so strongly aligned with our mission and values. I know I will use them to guide me when I need a path to follow in the future. I am beyond grateful for my academic and social experiences at BU. I loved participating in extra-curricular activities, clubs, and campus events. Bellarmine truly fosters such a special community.
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? I loved how accessible Bellarmine made studying abroad! I was able to travel to Germany, Italy, and India because of BU. I know these experiences will assist me greatly as I attend university in England next year!
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. There are so many people who had such a large impact on my experience at Bellarmine. Dr. Liz Todd Byron helped me find and develop my passions while being authentic to what brings me true joy! Dr. Laura Ping, Dr. Evanthia Speliotis, and Chris Smith all poured into me and my future and are a huge part of the reason I was accepted into LSE! HGR and the Student Government also helped me develop so many skills and gave me so many incredible memories!
What did you like best about your field of study? I loved how close the political science and history departments were. I was privileged to learn in environments where I knew my peers felt comfortable discussing important topics with them. I also had the most AMAZING professors in both of these departments. They are so knowledgeable, dedicated, and exceptional educators.
Jolie Parker
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Criminal Justice Studies
Minors: Women鈥檚 and Gender Studies, Sociology, and English
BU activities/honors: 4-year member and current Game and Spirit Captain of the Bellarmine University Dance Team, a Student Success Peer Coach, Head KnightU Orientation Leader, an Ambassador, a member of Bellarmine Society, a member of the Honors Program, and secretary of the Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Anthropology Club (CJSA).
Internships/work experience while at BU: Last summer, I completed an internship with the Clark County Public Defender鈥檚 Office in Jeffersonville, Indiana. I assisted attorneys with administrative and case management tasks, conducted legal research to support trial preparation, and attended pre-trial conferences, hearings, trials, and client visits in the Clark County Jail.
Career plans: Upon graduation, I will be attending Illinois State University to receive my Master鈥檚 in Criminal Justice Sciences on a fully-funded Graduate Teaching Assistantship. Although I am not completely sure what career I plan to pursue, currently, I am interested in academia, potentially becoming a Criminal Justice professor or a Capital Mitigation Specialist.
Why Bellarmine? I chose Bellarmine because of the sense of belonging it provided me. From the beginning, Bellarmine has made me feel welcome and allowed me to show up as my authentic self in my coursework, my involvements, my friendships, and my passions. Every team, organization, group, class, and event I have been a part of has helped me grow into the student and person I am today. I fell in love with the classes I was taking, the research I was doing, the connections I was making, and the person Bellarmine allowed me to be. It sounds so clich茅, but Bellarmine truly feels like home, and I could not have asked for a better place to call home these last four years.
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? It is insurmountably difficult to articulate just how special my experience at Bellarmine has been. At no other school would I be able to be a mentor to hundreds of first-year students, take academically-enriching courses based in community engagement and social responsibility, advocate for student success and positive change on campus, be a part of the Honors Program and complete a thesis, all while being a four-year student athlete competing at the Division 1 level and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. On top of all the amazing things I have had the privilege of being involved in at Bellarmine, I also discovered who I am and what it is I am truly passionate about. Through courses on restorative justice, wrongful convictions, and the death penalty, I have found my passion for advocacy and social change, particularly for marginalized communities who are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system. With that being said, Bellarmine truly allowed me to be a part of and accomplish everything I dreamed of, and I am so incredibly grateful for these opportunities, connections, and memories.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. Dr. Heather Pruss has made an exceptional difference in my time here at Bellarmine. She has guided me as a mentor academically, professionally, and personally, helping me grow as a student, a leader, and an advocate for social change. Seeing how passionate she is about her research, advocacy work, and teaching others sparked that same passion in me. She cares so deeply for her students and always wants what is best for us. Her selflessness, empathy, and compassion for those around her foster a warm, welcoming environment within the classroom. She is constantly breaking down barriers, working to create a safe, comfortable space for her students to learn in new and exciting ways. Her efforts in implementing community-engaged work within her courses further show her strong commitment to bettering Bellarmine and the surrounding community. Dr. Pruss is an incredible teacher, mentor, and person, and has left an immensely positive impact on my Bellarmine experience as well as my personal life and future career.
What did you like best about your field of study? What I like best about my field of study is the ability to help, empathize with, and advocate for those who are so often overlooked or mistreated within the criminal justice system. Before entering college, I believed that studying criminal justice meant working within the system as a law enforcement officer, a lawyer, or some other type of justice practitioner. I was unaware of the possibility of studying criminal justice with the intent of questioning and improving a flawed system. My education at 农夫导航 fundamentally changed that understanding. The program here emphasizes a critical analysis of the system, its purpose, and how it treats defendants and victims. I also enjoy getting to connect all of the various topics I love learning about into one field of study. I have learned that laws and the legal system reflect the interests of the powerful, meaning crime inherently goes against those interests, and those who commit crime are often powerless. This includes the intersection of race, class, and gender, and the disparities related to those identities and powerlessness within the criminal justice system.
Angel Pope
Hometown: Shepherdsville, Kentucky
Major: Neuroscience
BU activities/honors: Pioneer Scholar Mentor, SuRF Student Staff, 农夫导航 Pre-Physician Assistant Society (BUPAS) Vice President and Social Media Chair, Intramural Pickleball, Neuro Knights, Pioneer Scholars Program, Mud Volleyball Champion
Internships/work experience while at BU: Student Healthcare Assistant with Norton Healthcare (Internship and work experience)
Career plans: Aesthetic Injector
Why Bellarmine? I chose Bellarmine because it allowed me to stay close to home, and because of the opportunities for growth it offers. The small class sizes, sometimes as few as 10 students in lecture and 7 in lab, have had a significant impact on my experience. I have become close with many of my professors, which has made a huge difference in my academic performance and attitude toward my schoolwork. I have made many amazing friends through my classes and campus activities that I hope to carry with me for many years to come. This has made all the difference in my learning and experience while here. Additionally, the scholarships I have received have enabled me to focus on my education and fully take advantage of the opportunities Bellarmine offers. Altogether, these experiences have made a meaningful difference in both my learning and my time at Bellarmine.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If
so, please tell us about that person or office. There are two people who come to mind
when thinking of those who have made an exceptional difference during my time at Bellarmine.
First, there is our Provost, Dr. Mark Wiegand, who proudly welcomed me to the school
from the very beginning. He is the definition of kind-hearted and hospitable, supporting
me in every direction my path has taken me. He has also encouraged me to take on opportunities
and not question my abilities. His confidence in me has pushed me to step outside
of my comfort zone and grow both academically and personally. Because of his support,
I have felt more capable of pursuing challenges I might have otherwise avoided, and
I will carry that sense of confidence with me beyond my time at Bellarmine.
Next is Dr. Paul Kiser, my professor and advisor, who has given me an unforgettable
classroom experience. I cannot express enough the impact his passion for teaching
and genuine investment in his students have had on my academic journey. He challenges
me to think critically and push beyond surface-level understanding, while also creating
an environment where I feel comfortable asking questions and growing. As an advisor,
he has been incredibly supportive, offering guidance that has helped me navigate my
academic path and personal life with greater clarity and confidence.
What did you like best about your field of study? During my freshman year, I decided to switch my major from biology to neuroscience. I was initially hesitant, unsure of how much I would enjoy studying the brain, but I took the risk and quickly discovered that I loved it. I enjoy the way neuroscience integrates biology and psychology, which is great because it allows many of my courses to connect and build on one another. This interdisciplinary approach helped me see the bigger picture of how these systems work together within the body, and not just from a purely biological perspective. On top of this, the classes are structured in diverse ways, creating a variety of learning experiences, such as hands-on work with cadavers in the gross anatomy lab, studies with frogs, conducting psychological experiments, and exploring biological concepts in local creeks, all of which make learning engaging and dynamic. Lastly, the professors within this field are amazing and incredibly dedicated to student success, making all the difference in the world.
Anything else that you鈥檇 like us to know about you or your time at BU? A fun fact is I am graduating a year early!
Sarah Recktenwald
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Elementary Education and Learning & Behavioral Disorders
BU activities/honors: Alternative Spring Break, Week of Welcome, 农夫导航 Leads, Bellarmine Activities Council, Bellarmine Society, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Knight U, Educators Rising, School of Education Student Advisory Board, Bellarmine Ambassadors
Career plans: I will be a second-grade teacher at Notre Dame Academy (the school I attended!) in the fall of 2026.
Why Bellarmine? As someone from Louisville, I would always pass by Bellarmine when I was younger and think, 鈥淭hat place looks cool.鈥� It is absolutely cool, and I鈥榤 so grateful to have been able to immerse myself in academics, social involvement, and the overall community.
How would you describe your BU experience? There were many things I was passionate about before college, but it鈥檚 Bellarmine and the people within it that have put them into conceivable visions. Alternative Spring Break allowed me to serve various communities throughout the United States while learning about their rich histories and city cultures. Through Knight U and Week of Welcome orientations, I鈥檝e been able to embrace the people person I am and welcome students into the place I鈥檝e come to love. Through all involvements and academics, students are encouraged to value their intrinsic dignity and the gifts they have for the world. My experience is not simply defined by the variety of opportunities, but by the love found within each of them.
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? The interdisciplinary courses I鈥檝e taken in my first and last semesters have been some of my favorite classes throughout my college career. Both of them connected with a community partner and focused on several social justice issues in Louisville. I was able to learn much about each of the organizations and a lot more about my city.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. Dr. Liz Byron has been a constant source of light not just for me, but for the entire Bellarmine community. I was placed in the interdisciplinary course she taught during my first semester. She guided us to think critically about community engagement, discussing much about the significance of serving with a community rather than for it. More than the class she taught, her leadership over the Center for Community Engagement has brought meaning to service, encouraging students to have a lifelong relationship with helping others. She has constantly reminded me of my value, and I'm so grateful to have known her the past four years.
What did you like best about your field of study? One thing I really value about my major is that I鈥檓 dual-certified in both K-5 general education and K-12 special education. Whether I become a special education teacher in the future or not, I know how I can support a diverse body of students in the classroom. It鈥檚 been so valuable to learn from such diligent, intelligent, and empathetic faculty. I feel well-equipped to have a class of my own and can鈥檛 wait to use what I鈥檝e learned from the School of Education in practice.
Olivia Sharpe
Hometown: Mt. Washington, Kentucky
Major: DAT and Digital Art
Minors: Film Studies
BU activities/honors: Honors Program
Internships/work experience while at BU: Bellarmine Office of Marketing and Communications Internship
Career plans: Illustration
Why Bellarmine? Bellarmine is a tight-knit community of some of the most wonderful people you will ever meet.
How would you describe your BU experience? My time at Bellarmine was full of amazing events, fun, educational classes, unforgettable peers, and kind-hearted professors.
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? Students and staff alike have been so helpful!
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. I regret not a single class at Bellarmine. Some professors who helped me the most are Dr. Barker, my thesis advisor, and Professor Laura Hartford, my thesis reader. My internship with the Office of Marketing and Communications was enjoyable and an amazing experience working with the Bellarmine staff.
What did you like best about your field of study? Being able to get my creative juices flowing through still life and portraiture.
Anything else that you鈥檇 like us to know about you or your time at BU? If there鈥檚 ever a job opening, I would be thrilled to interview! Bellarmine is a wonderful community that I would return to in the blink of an eye.
Laurynn Smith
Hometown: Independence, Kentucky
Major: Master of Business Administration
BU activities/honors: During my undergrad, I was involved with a lot of different clubs, such as ambassadors, Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, and more.
Internships/work experience while at BU: This past year, I was a graduate assistant for the Student Activities Center and studied abroad in Ireland.
Career plans: I am currently looking at careers in marketing and management. I think I鈥檓 a creative person and would love to share my skills and connect with people in a creative and unique way.
Why Bellarmine? I love that Bellarmine has always given me the freedom to explore
multiple fields of study instead of feeling boxed into just one path. I鈥檝e really
tried to take full advantage of that鈥攂oth during my undergraduate years and in grad
school. From the beginning, I was encouraged to believe that nothing was out of reach
and that I could stay deeply involved on campus while still graduating on time.
The scholarships truly make a huge difference, too; they open doors and take a lot
of pressure off, so you can focus on making the most of your experience. What stands
out just as much, though, are the connections you build. The faculty and staff genuinely
care about you as a person, not just a student, and they consistently check in and
support you.
It honestly feels like one big family, and that sense of support is what makes the
experience so meaningful.
How would you describe your BU experience? If I had to describe my experience in one word, it would be busy, in the best way possible. My time at Bellarmine has been full, challenging, and incredibly rewarding. One of the highlights was starting my master鈥檚 degree during my final year of undergrad through the Early Entry program. It gave me a head start, helped me build connections early, and allowed me to graduate sooner.
Throughout it all, I have felt consistently supported by the faculty. They are not only knowledgeable, but also genuinely compassionate, thoughtful in their feedback, and fully invested in helping their students succeed. That kind of support makes a real difference.
What stands out most is that they are more than just instructors. They are mentors and people I truly want to stay connected with after graduation. Some have even become friends and, in many ways, feel like family.
What did you like best about your field of study? What I liked most about my field of study was the opportunity to study abroad with my cohort. It brought together both the traditional MBA students and the EMBA students, which created a unique and collaborative environment. That experience allowed me to build meaningful connections while working in a more immersive, hands-on way, and it made the learning feel much more real and impactful.
Sarah E. Smith
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Business Administration
Minors: Philosophy
BU activities/honors: Mock Trial, Pre-Law, Pioneer Scholars
Internships/work experience while at BU: Paralegal, O鈥橞ryan Law Offices
Career plans: Law
Why Bellarmine? Relative to other universities, Bellarmine felt the least intimidating for being post-high school for 10 years.
How would you describe your BU experience? It was a whirlwind of experience, both challenging and rewarding.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. Dr. Bryan Baise changed both my perspective on life and the trajectory of my future. His presence and professionalism in the classroom offered the type of continuity that is both rare and invaluable. He is an irreplaceable asset to both Bellarmine and its students.
What did you like best about your field of study? The Rubel School offered an intimate classroom experience, making it a more engaging learning environment.
Joeli Sullivan
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Undergraduate: Exercise Science (Health and Wellness Track); Graduate: Doctorate of Physical Therapy Minors:
BU activities/honors: Undergrad: Phi Mu, Ambassadors, Bellarmine Dance Marathon, Pre-PT club, Hall Host Tour Guide. Graduate: Tutor
Internships/work experience while at BU: KORT physical therapy, Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies, ProRehab of Louisville, Cedar Lake Lodge, Results Physiotherapy
Career plans: Physical Therapy Outpatient Orthopedics
Why Bellarmine? I chose 农夫导航 because of its strong physical therapy program and the emphasis on hands-on learning early on. I liked the smaller campus environment, which made it feel more personal and supportive compared to larger schools. It felt like a place where I could build relationships with professors and classmates while being challenged academically. Over time, that sense of community and support really stood out and confirmed I made the right choice.
How would you describe your BU experience? My experience at Bellarmine has been both challenging and really rewarding. The DPT program pushed me to grow not just academically, but clinically and professionally through different rotations and hands-on experiences. I鈥檝e had the opportunity to work with a wide range of patient populations, which helped me build confidence and improve my clinical reasoning. At the same time, I鈥檝e been supported by faculty and classmates who genuinely want to see each other succeed. Overall, it鈥檚 been a time of a lot of growth, learning, and gaining confidence in myself as a future physical therapist.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. Yes, several PT faculty members and clinical instructors at 农夫导航 made a big impact on my experience. Throughout the DPT program, I had professors who were not only knowledgeable but also genuinely supportive and invested in helping me grow as a clinician. They consistently challenged me to think critically and pushed me to be more confident in my clinical reasoning and decision-making.
During my clinical rotations, my instructors played a major role in shaping my development by giving me opportunities to become more independent while still providing meaningful feedback. Because of their mentorship, I was able to work with a variety of patient populations, including orthopedics, pelvic health, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These experiences helped me become more adaptable and reinforced the importance of providing patient-centered care across different settings.
What did you like best about your field of study? What I鈥檝e liked most about physical therapy is how patient-centered it is and how much of a difference you can make in someone鈥檚 daily life. It鈥檚 not just about treating an injury; it鈥檚 about helping people stay independent, participate in activities they enjoy, and improve their overall quality of life. I really like that it combines critical thinking with hands-on care, so every patient is a little different and keeps you learning. Through my experiences, I鈥檝e especially appreciated working with populations that may be overlooked and finding ways to make therapy meaningful and functional for them.
Isabella "Leila" Thomas 
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Major: Integrated Studies (Liberal Arts)
BU activities/honors: Access BU Group; Community Engagement Center
Internships/work experience while at BU: N/A
Career plans: I plan to work as a piano accompanist for vocalists at the Bellarmine Music Department. I also plan to translate books, sing in a church choir and/or the Kentucky Opera Chorus, and pursue political organizing.
Why Bellarmine? I picked 农夫导航 for my undergraduate college education because not only was it 20 minutes away from where I live, but it also has a smaller campus, which was easier to get around. At least within the fields in which I have studied, Bellarmine also has a more tight-knit sense of community rather than a highly competitive, cutthroat kind of learning environment. 农夫导航 also has wider access to individual accommodations for students based on the way the student learns, which I felt was useful for me personally.
How would you describe your BU experience? Although I had to take several classes that I wasn't necessarily excited about, I was able to further my educational journey by taking a wide variety of classes with dedicated, approachable, supportive, and, most of all, kind teachers. I am grateful that I received a well-rounded education in an accommodating environment. I also have to recognize how well my professors helped me integrate what I learned from multiple disciplines and use that knowledge for good. This helped not only with big culminating projects like my honors thesis, but also with my continuing education and the projects I will pursue following graduation.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If
so, please tell us about that person or office. Two particular professors made an
exceptional difference during my time at Bellarmine -- the music professor, Dr. Louie
Hehman, and the sociology professor, Dr. Ainsley Lambert-Swain.
Dr. Hehman is one of the kindest professors I have ever met during my time at Bellarmine,
and my music education was greatly enriched by his presence. He not only helped me
polish the skills I already had as a pianist but also inspired me to be a better and
more compassionate person. In my sociology-related classes, Dr. Lambert-Swain is not
only a wonderful and understanding person, but she also gave me the tools I needed
to become a better critical thinker, which is indispensable for creating meaningful
change in this day and age. I'm proud of my decision to pick Dr. Lambert-Swain as
my advisor as I was writing my Honors thesis, because she saw the potential in my
research more clearly than many others did, and she was key to making that research
fulfill its potential.
Anything else that you鈥檇 like us to know about you or your time at BU? I successfully
published my Honors thesis this year, titled "Democracy at Work and the Promise of
Dignity: Worker Cooperatives and the Experiences of Workers of Color." I am not only
proud of the hard work I've done to make this thesis come into fruition, but also
thankful for all the support my professors gave me to make this thesis happen.
Following graduation, I also plan to pursue mentored research outside of graduate
school on post-capitalist economic systems and democratic economic planning.
Ariya Yet
Hometown: Chiang Mai, Thailand
Major: Doctor of Physical Therapy
BU activities/honors: Service Learning Clinics
Internships/work experience while at BU: Clinical rotations at Results Physiotherapy, Frazier Rehab, Norton Cressman Neurological Center, UK Chandler Hospital
Career plans: I plan to pursue a career as a physical therapist and specialize in caring for patients with neurological conditions.
Why Bellarmine? I chose Bellarmine because it offered everything I was looking for in a DPT program. The faculty's reputation for excellence, the program's strong ties to the Louisville community, and the clinical opportunities available made it stand out from the start. But what truly set Bellarmine apart was its commitment to community service. I wanted to be part of a program that valued giving back, one that would shape me not only into a skilled clinician, but into one who is deeply connected to the people and communities I serve.
Was there anything that made your Bellarmine experience unique or special? One of the most unique parts of my Bellarmine experience was the ceremony held to honor the individuals who donated their bodies to science and allowed us to learn from them in our cadaver lab. It was a meaningful moment that brought our cohort together in gratitude. It also gave us the chance to pause and acknowledge the people whose generosity made so much of our learning possible.
Did anyone at Bellarmine make an exceptional difference during your time here? If so, please tell us about that person or office. The entire DPT program faculty has made a profound impact during my time at Bellarmine. From the very beginning, they created an environment where I felt supported not just as a student, but also as a person. During the program, I experienced an injury, and it was a challenging time both physically and mentally. What stood out most was how many professors went out of their way to check in on me, offer guidance, and make sure I didn鈥檛 fall behind. Their compassion and dedication during that time meant more than I can express, and it reflected the kind of clinicians and educators they truly are. That experience showed me the kind of clinician and person I hope to become, and it is something I will carry with me throughout my career.
What did you like best about your field of study? What I love most about physical therapy is that it is inherently hands-on and deeply personal. Every patient comes in with a unique story, and the work of helping them recover and regain the things they love, whether that's walking without pain, returning to sport, or simply feeling like themselves again, is incredibly rewarding. It never feels like a "one size fits all" field, and that keeps me engaged and motivated every day.