Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/517095
Kasee Stratton '06 (psychology major), M.A. '10, Ph.D. '12 Age: 30 Location: Starkville, Mississippi Career: Assistant professor of school psychology, Mississippi State University; director, Bulldog CHARGE Syndrome Research Lab Kasee is a leader in CHARGE Syndrome research and advocacy. Much of her work focuses on identifying pain in children who are unable to communicate. She has been published four times since 2010 and continues to present at both national and international conferences. What is the best resource young people have to contribute to the world? "Young people bring drive, excitement and open minds to everything they do. I believe these characteristics are producing a generation of millennials who know what they want, who are willing to work hard, and who are challenging dated and controversial topics to contribute to a more welcoming world for everyone." What motivates you? "Children with CHARGE and their families truly motivate every part of my work. CHARGE is the leading cause of congenital deaf-blindness and presents with multiple anomalies and medical complexities." What is your proudest achievement so far? "The day I passed the most grueling test of my life to become a licensed psychologist is still my proudest moment." What is the best piece of advice you have received? "The best piece of advice I have received, as an adult, would be to travel. Travel enriches you as a person and resonates into your work, family and values." Why is it important for you to stay connected to CMU? "CMU became my home for nearly 10 years and molded me into the person I am today. This is why staying connected to CMU is important – it's a home base. " Kevin Butcher '05 (health fitness in preventive and rehabilitative programs), D.P.T. '08 Age: 32 Location: St. Joseph Career: Director of physical therapy services, Southwest Michigan Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine; area director, Integrity Rehab Group Kevin was promoted to the Midwest area director of Integrity Rehab Group/Southwest Michigan Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in 2011. His clinic received the IRG Clinical Excellence Award in 2011 and 2013 and the IRG Outcomes Utilization Award in 2011. What is the best resource young people have to contribute? "We are full of untapped potential, and our drive to be successful in the world is the biggest way we can contribute in the work force." What motivates you? "Many of my patients have a difficult road ahead, from a rotator cuff repair to a total knee replacement, but to see their attitude and desire to improve motivates me to come to work driven for success and to improve my skills." What is your proudest achievement so far? "My daughter, Kya (5), and son, Kane (3), easily make me more proud than anything else. They inspire me each day and simply leave me awestruck." What is the best piece of advice you have received? "The best piece of advice I have received came from a book my father gave me, "I Am Third," by Gale Sayers and Al Silverman: "The Lord is first, my family is second, and I am third." These are principles I try to follow." Why is it important for you to stay connected to CMU? "I created many bonds with my brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha, and CMU is a perfect connecting point through events like homecoming." 28 centralight summer '15