Photo: Jess Pron

Friday, April 27, the occupational therapy (OT) program held a ceremony to dedicate the department house to Irene Kershaw, an alumna of Elizabethtown College’s OT program.

The Kershaw House has been in use in the program for a while but is only now being dedicated, in part to celebrate the 40-year anniversary of Etown’s OT program.

“I hope all you graduate students and soon-to-be doctorate students get to use this house,” Kershaw, the person to whom the house is being dedicated, said.

The building has been called “The Spot” by students and faculty and is primarily used by graduate students in the OT program, as well as the fieldwork coordinator. Inside, there are workspaces for students, as well as various TVs, whiteboards and couches. The house allows graduate students to discuss and collaborate on their research projects and presentations.

Kershaw was one of the first dozen members of the OT program when it was introduced in 1978. Throughout the speeches made at the dedication ceremony, her resilience was praised, as she had to overcome family and financial concerns to come to Etown. Her love for Etown and the OT program also received recognition.

“This dedication is really all about celebrating Irene’s love … for the College,” Kershaw’s husband, Peter, said.

Giving back to the College has been a priority for I. Kershaw.

She would give advice to students or give lectures in classes. OT students who had previously met I. Kershaw recommended that she give a speech at the induction ceremony of Phi Theta Epsilon, the occupational therapy honor society, due to her dedication and passion.

“I think that dedicating the house to a specific person gives the house a story or narrative that current OT students can feel inspired by as they study here at Etown,” first-year OT major Sarah Humphrey said. “What stood out to me was the fact that the work Etown graduates participate in after graduating can still be recognized and appreciated by the College community even years after graduation.”

Prior to the ceremony, there was a half-hour reception, which was attended by students, professors and alumni, as well as friends of the Kershaw family and former professors of the College’s OT program.

The ceremony included speeches from President Carl Strikwerda, associate professor and department chairperson/program director Tamera Humbert, speeches from both Peter and Irene Kershaw and closing remarks from chair of the Board of Trustees Robert Dolan.

The College’s OT program is the second oldest accredited occupational therapy program in Pennsylvania.

With the current 4+1 program in place, OT students at Etown have the opportunity to earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College in occupational therapy.

For more information about the College’s occupational therapy program and resources, please visit https://www.etown.edu/depts/occupational-therapy.