Scholar Spotlight
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Scholar Films
Harun's most recent film, In the Name of the Son, is based on his experiences growing up in wartime Bosnia
Elizabeth Carol Bair
“My route to this point in my life has taken longer than I expected. But it has been filled with unexpected lessons, and a great deal of joy. As one professor likes to describe me, I am an older-than-average student. At 52, I am the lucky one. I experienced life circumstances that not only forced a change of course, but also gave me the time and opportunity to discover what I really wanted to do with the rest of my life.”
- Program: 2010 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Hillsboro, OR
- Hometown: Coos Bay, OR
- Age: 54
- Community College: Portland Community College
- Four-year College or University: Pacific University
- Graduate School: Pacific University School of Occupational Therapy
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Arts / Music / Performance, Health Care, Languages, Literature, Psychology / Therapy, Public Policy, Public Services, Social Science / Anthropology
- Other Interests: Foreign Languages / International Study, Health Care, Honor Society, Languages, Leadership Development, Literature, Performing Arts / Theatre, Public Policy, Public Services, Social Science / Anthropology, Student Government, Visual Arts, Volunteer Work
Biography
INSPIRATION: There have been so many wonderful and brilliant teachers who have inspired Elizabeth, but Katherine Carr from Portland Community College and Dr. Jessica Ritter at Pacific University top her list.
ASPIRATION: Earlier in her life, Elizabeth had a successful career in customer service and telecommunications. Tragedy propelled her into the field of Occupational Therapy when her mother suffered a debilitating stroke in 2003. Elizabeth chose to help her parents and lived with them for the next year; “A good part of my days were spent observing her therapists as they taught my mother to strengthen her body and mind.” Elizabeth said. “While helping mother practice, I was especially impressed with the skill and compassion of her occupational therapist.” Elizabeth realized her natural empathy, creativity, and desire helped make a positive contribution to her mother’s regained ability to walk and manage her daily activities. Because of this experience, Elizabeth chose a future career in occupational therapy and social work.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Elizabeth does many of things very well, but admits she is not naturally a "math person” and experiences significant math-test anxiety. Elizabeth was required to take a physics class as part of the OT program. It was so challenging, she spent countless hours after class with her professor, and at home preparing for tests which paid off in the long run. “I finished the semester with an A,” she said. “The proud moment came when I ran into the professor. He told me I finished the semester with the highest overall grade in the class, and that I should remember that persistence pays. I floated out of that building. I've worked very hard to gain knowledge, experience, and wisdom along with high grades. I feel that I'm succeeding.”
ACCOLADES: Elizabeth was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Portland Community College and the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society at Pacific University. She was also a three-time winner of Pacific’s Honors Award. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and was awarded the Pacific University Dean’s Academic Achievement Award for 2010.
INTERESTING FACT: “Cooking helps keep me sane and I indulge in it when I'm happy or when I'm feeling sad or stressed,” Elizabeth said. “There is something very healing about feeding people deliciousness.”
Other Scholars Like Elizabeth
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Kiera Berdinner
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Isaac Powell
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Steven Crist
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Emory University