RADFORD -- For the past four years, foods and nutrition major Jasmine Elmore has worked diligently as a work-study student and during her summer vacations to earn the money to pay for her education at RU. On Saturday, Elmore’s determination will pay off as she graduates from the university and moves on to Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Dentistry as the first RU foods and nutrition major to be accepted to a dentistry program immediately after receiving an undergraduate degree.

“As a black individual and female pursuing a professional career, and now the first foods and nutrition student to directly matriculate into dental school after completion of an undergraduate degree, I am excited about the opportunity to become a part of the VCU School of Dentistry family and proud to have been a student at RU,” said Elmore. “My hope is that this achievement will inspire future students to pursue any dream, no matter how unattainable it may seem.”

Elmore’s list of accolades during her time at RU is impressive. A Highlander Scholar, she is expected to graduate summa cum laude with a cumulative GPA of 4.0. During her freshman year, she received an Outstanding Student Award. She was also the recipient of the Mary Kathryn Phipps Brewer Memorial Scholarship and served as a tutor for RU’s Student Support Services.

“Jasmine has been a terrific student: she is motivated, curious and focused,” said Anne Alexander, a professor in foods and nutrition. “She is very excited, and so are we. She is a wonderful example of an RU student.”

Following her time at VCU, Elmore plans to practice dentistry in an underserved area. Her ultimate goal is to one day open a free dental and nutrition wellness clinic for single parent mothers and their children.

Elmore will join fellow graduating seniors on Saturday for the spring commencement ceremony during which RU will confer 1,476 undergraduate degrees and 310 graduate degrees. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m. on Moffett Lawn. Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine will deliver the keynote address. To learn more, visit the 2009 Commencement website.