SFU’s Master of Occupational Therapy Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary by looking back on its history during the first 25 weeks of 2026.
The celebration includes weekly social media posts related to each OT graduating class and will culminate with an on-campus gathering of alumni, current students and faculty on June 26.
Erin Long, Academic Field Work Coordinator for the OT Program, is the lead organizer of anniversary events. She was a member of the first graduating class of Saint Francis OT students in 2001.
“It’s coming full circle – graduating in the first Class of 2001 and now working here, doing what I love to do,” said Long.
Don Walkovich served as a faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Program since its inception in 1997, before becoming Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education. He retired from the University in December of 2024.
“With new (health science) programs coming in (25 years ago), such as Occupational Therapy, it changed the landscape of the University,” said Walkovich. “We kept asking ourselves: ‘how does OT get integrated into a primarily liberal arts school?’
“We started talking to students and explaining to them what occupational therapy is.”
Creating strong connections between students and faculty has remained one of the core values of the Occupational Therapy Program throughout its 25 years.
Amy Hudkins serves as a Clinical Associate Professor in SFU’s OT Program.
“Having that door open – so that ALL alumni can ask for anything at any point in time – is something that I am most proud of,” said Hudkins.
Kerri Golden serves as Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education. She succeeded Walkovich as dean of this School after teaching in SFU’s Occupational Therapy Department for many years.
“Watching the next generation of OTs go into rotations, clinicals, fieldwork and the workforce is inspiring,” said Golden.
