The Janet M. Cope Scholarship in Physical Therapy will go toward Elon Physical Therapy students who have displayed honorable character during their time in the program.
Janet Cope, professor of physical therapy education, started Tuesday, Feb. 14, thinking she was going to a run-of-the-mill reception among the faculty within the School of Health Sciences. She soon found that it was in fact a special reception announcing an endowed scholarship named in her honor and created in recognition of her nearly 20 years of diligent service as a professor, mentor and colleague in the Department of Physical Therapy Education.
“I’m excited that there’s a DPT student scholarship, that’s the main thing. And to have my name attached to it is a big surprise,” Cope said. “I’ve been at Elon a good amount of time and I know I have an impact on the students that I engage with in, I think, very positive ways so this feels good.”
The Janet M. Cope Scholarship in Physical Therapy will go toward Elon physical therapy students who have displayed honorable character during their time in the program. Associate Vice President for University Advancement John Barnhill announced the scholarship at the reception. The scholarship was created by a group of colleagues who have seen the impact of Cope’s work at the School of Health Sciences upon her students and those she works with.
“We’ve all benefited from your presence here,” Interim Dean of the School of Health Sciences Stephen Folger told Cope at the announcement. “You’re leaving a long-lasting impact not only what you’ve given yourself but this scholarship represents that forever.”
“She is the manifestation of … accountability, altruism, collaboration, compassion, caring, duty, excellence, inclusion, integrity and social responsibility,” said Crystal Ramsey, assistant professor of physical therapy education.
Ramsey pointed to Cope’s vision that led to the creation of the university’s Anatomical Gift Program in 2016 so that the school could rely on its own first-person consented donors, thereby fulfilling curricular requirements in the study of human anatomy.
“She is the epitome of ethics and honoring other people,” Ramsey added.
Cope is the recipient of the 2021 Daniels-Danieley Award for Excellence in Teaching. She received the Elon University School of Health Sciences Excellence in Service Award for the 2014-15 academic year and the SHS Excellence in Teaching Award in 2011-12.
Distributions from the endowed scholarship will support students in the DPT program who are pursuing departmental initiatives, including research, global study, internship, service, leadership or other educational opportunities. Recipients will be selected by the dean of the School of Health Sciences with recommendations from DPT faculty members.
Some examples of how it could be used are paying for a DPT student to purchase supplies or equipment for research; paying a DPT student’s expenses to attend a professional conference; or helping a DPT student with travel, housing and/or food expenses related to an internship.