April 16. Cornelius native Gracyn Chaffee has earned the Susan A. McGhee Outstanding Student in Recreational Therapy Award at East Carolina University.

G Chaffee

She is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in recreational therapy and will receive special recognition May 9 as part of ECU College of Health and Human Performance graduation ceremonies.

Chaffee has served as vice president of the ECU Recreational Therapy Student Society and was honored with the Nelson L. Cooper Scholarship Award. She was also actively involved in volunteering with organizations that support recreational therapy, including Special Olympics, Atrium Health and Rocking Horse Ranch. She has complemented her classroom success by serving as an intern under a recreational therapist with Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation.