The Otho Davis Scholarship Foundation celebrated Lydia Collison ’26DPT as one of two Scholarship recipients at its 26th annual awards banquet on Nov. 4. 

The Otho Davis Scholarship is awarded annually to two graduate students studying sports medicine or a related field. The Scholarship was established in 1999 at a dinner honoring Otho Davis, head trainer for the Philadelphia Eagles for 23 years. Davis requested that the proceeds go toward students in sports medicine, physical training, or sports marketing. Collison joins Ya’Meer Thomas-Lowery ’25DPT and Sarah Ernesto Krotulski ’14DPT as Arcadia students who have won the scholarship.

“I first found out about this scholarship through the faculty in my department who proposed the opportunity to my 2026 cohort,” explained Collison, who will apply the scholarship to her remaining tuition. “My professors supported me greatly in this process to ensure that my application represented me well as a student, person, and future clinician. I am truly so honored to have been chosen as this year’s recipient.”

Collison came to Arcadia’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program after graduating from Messiah University summa cum laude with a degree in applied health science with a pre-physical therapy concentration. At Messiah, Collison was a member of the softball team. She also played basketball and softball in high school, as well as soccer and swimming growing up.

“I have been an athlete my entire life,” she said. “The passion I have developed for physical therapy and the field of sports medicine has been fueled by my own rehabilitation experiences with a shoulder injury, my extensive sports background, and my desire to serve others. This profession excites and inspires me, as I will strive to help other athletes and individuals return to their peak level performance, just as was done for me.”

In addition to her studies, Collison has carved out time to serve the community as well as her fellow students. She serves as Chief Operations Officer for Arcadia’s student-run Pro Bono Clinic. The clinic provides free physical therapy services to uninsured and underinsured community members.

Collison is also on the Student Physical Therapy Association board as the Incoming Student and Alumni Liaison. In this position, she is a resource for first-year students, matching them with a second-year mentor through a buddy program, and assists faculty in continuing education symposiums for alumni.

Dr. Michael Tevald, chair of the Physical Therapy department, attended the awards ceremony with Collison. Other guests included current Philadelphia Eagles Brandon Graham, Jordan Mailata, and Jake Elliot.

“The Otho Davis Scholarship is highly competitive, and we are honored to have had our students recognized two years in a row,” Tevald said. “It is really a testament to the hard work and dedication of Ya’Meer, last year’s winner, and Lydia that they have received such an honor.”