Belmont University School of Physical Therapy honored Dr. Terry Grindstaff (’04) with its Distinguished Alumni Award at the August graduation ceremony for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Class of 2013.  Grindstaff addressed the graduates at the school’s annual hooding ceremony prior to commencement.

In his address, Grindstaff reminded graduates that their accomplishments were not achieved alone but through contributions of many others including family, friends, faculty and fellow students.  He encouraged them to continue to surround themselves with people that will provide guidance, boundaries, motivation and support in future endeavors.  He challenged the graduates to pursue their passion and approach each task with an optimism that reflects that passion and to embrace the opportunity to make an impact on the world through the patients they treat.

Grindstaff attained a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Health and Physical Education. Following his time at Belmont, he continued his education at the University of Virginia where he earned a Ph.D. in kinesiology.  While at Virginia, he worked as an athletic trainer and, upon graduation, as an assistant professor.

Grindstaff serves as an assistant professor in the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.  He is a certified sports clinical specialist, strength and conditioning specialist and golf fitness instructor (Level II).  He has published nearly 40 peer reviewed articles and has presented at many national professional conferences.  He received an award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists for best poster presentation in 2009. Grindstaff is involved with several research grants and serves as a grant reviewer for two professional organizations.  In 2008, he received the new Horizon Award from the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA, and in 2007 was first runner up for the Kenneth L. Knight Award for Outstanding Research Manuscript from the Journal of Athletic Training.

Thirty-five students were awarded the DPT degree at the August graduation.  Faculty and clinical partners honored two of the graduates with presentations at the hooding ceremony. Stacey Lindsley received the Academic Excellence Award and was recognized as recipient of the David G. Greathouse Scholarship sponsored by STAR Physical Therapy.  Kyle Mundhenke received the Results Physiotherapy Orthopedic Clinical Excellence Award.

Alumnus and former employee Samuel Kabia now lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone in West Africa where he has begun Rufiondu Education Project for Orphan Children.

While at Belmont, Kabia earned his master’s in education and worked in the landscaping.

“The Belmont community has been my savior and main supporter of my nonprofit organization Rufiondu Education Project for Orphan Children whose mission is to provide functional Literacy Programs and Educational Resources for street children, less privilege girls, children of beggars, orphan children and their communities in Africa,” he said.

The project’s main aim is to equip the community members with the knowledge and skills necessary to create a sustaining environment able to provide the basic necessities of life.

The University has donated more than 100 computers to Sierra Leone, which helped with the establishment of the Belmont Rufoindu Computer Literacy Program in three schools. More than 600 students been trained and have graduated from the program, and 90 percent of graduates have gained employment with government and private institutions i.

Belmont Rufiondu Education project is now in its second phase of construction and development. As a continuation of the projects educational initiative programs, a Belmont Rufoindu Orphanage School has opened with 120 students enrolled. Many of them are orphans.

To learn about how you can help Belmont Rufoindu Orphanage School, contact Kabia at kabiasamuel13@yahoo.com.