Melanie Zimmerman Awarded Graduate Dean's Award of Excellence at Hardin-Simmons University Commencement

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Melanie Zimmerman

ABILENE, TX (12/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Melanie Zimmerman, of Round Rock, Texas, was awarded the Graduate Dean's Award of Excellence at the Winter 2011 Commencement exercises at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX.

The Graduate Dean's Award of Excellence is awarded by Hardin-Simmons University at the Winter Commencement to an outstanding graduate student. The recipient is selected from nominations from all graduate programs and is presented to the individual who has excelled as a graduate student, typifies the character and behavior consistent with HSU's mission and purpose, and has shown potential to excel in his or her field of study.

Zimmerman is an outstanding student who has unselfishly given of her time and talents to benefit others. She has been involved in professional associations at both the state and local level.

By assisting at Disability Resources, Inc., she has helped local disabled adults be able to participate in weekly physical activity. Zimmerman also volunteered her time to be a medical staff volunteer at the Endeavor Games in Edmond, Oklahoma, assisting para-olympic athletes.

While attending HSU, she assisted with the Laura Bush Women's Health Fair and served as an animal caregiver for an animal rescue mission. A student in the physical therapy program, she has not only excelled in the DPT curriculum, she was active in promoting physical therapy to the community during National Physical Therapy month. Currently, she is completing her clinical rotations in Texas and Oklahoma. 

Zimmerman received her undergraduate degree from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. She is the daughter of Richard and Mary Zimmerman of Round Rock, Texas.

About Hardin-Simmons:

HSU has an enrollment of approximately 2,300 undergrad and graduate students from 29 states and 19 countries.

HSU has a 13:1 student faculty ratio with a campus that sits on 209 acres. Seventy-nine percent of HSU's facultymembers hold the highest degree in their field.

The university is named by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best universities in the western region of the United States and is listed by The Princeton Review as a Top Ten Best in the West University. It is a member of the Colleges of Distinction, and the Chronicle of Higher Education named it to their honor roll as a "Great College to Work For."

Seven undergraduate degrees encompass 70 major fields including: athletic training, criminal justice, social work, counseling, psychology, molecular biology, biochemistry, environmental science, religion, music, art, teaching, history, communications, English, and sociology.

Ten graduate degrees include the Doctor of Ministry and the Doctor of Physical Therapy.

International study programs include England, Austria, Hong Kong, Spain, and Australia.

Hardin-Simmons University, founded in 1891, is a private Christian institution, and has been affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (Texas Baptists) since 1941.