Graduates headed to oil fields, graduate school

Pitt-Bradford students scattered following Sunday's commencement, but two are headed to the same place for the same job. 

Beau Close of Bradford and Cameron Markert of Smethport, both of whom will graduate with an associate of science in petroleum technology, have been hired by Chevron in Houston to become drill site managers.

Pitt-Bradford's petroleum technology program, reintroduced in 2007 by Dr. Assad Panah, professor of geology, has developed a strong relationship with the oil giant, which comes to campus to recruit and has hired several graduates each year.

Another petroleum technology graduate, Katie Vecellio of Bradford, who is also earning a bachelor of science in environmental science, will begin working as an environmental education and interpretation coordinator for Allegany State Park in Salamanca, N.Y.

Students with local connections from other majors are also headed out into the world of work. Erin Goodwin, who double majored in accounting and business management from Wyalusing, will remain in the area as an accountant for Dresser-Rand in Olean, N.Y.

Kristen Porter, a human relations major from Salamanca, will begin working as a veterans service officer in Olean, N.Y.

Brittany Gehman, an athletic training major from Ronks, will also remain in the area, working at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport and pursuing a master's degree in exercise science and health promotion.

Andrew Eliason, a business management major from Bradford, will work with the McKean County 911 Center and Bradford City Fire Department.

Sarah Yaworsky of Bradford and Erica Ignatz of Venetia will earn their associate of science in nursing and begin working at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

Melissa Callahan, a social sciences major from York Haven, will stay in the area working in the Life Skills Program at Futures Rehabilitation Inc.

Courtney McNeight, who double majored in business management and hospitality management from Ellicottville, N.Y., will be headed for Newport, R.I., where she will enter the management trainee program at Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina.

Trent Johnson, a double major in computer information systems and technology and biology from Dagus Mines, has accepted a position with Cook Myosite in Pittsburgh, where he will work as a software validation specialist.

Other local students will be adding the title “Dr.” to their names within a few years, whether they have been accepted into a program for medical doctors or doctors of philosophy.

Accepted to three medical schools, Paul Woods, a biology major from Port Allegany, chose to attend the Lake Erie College of Medicine in Erie.

Filane F. Godding of Bradford, who is earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, will begin work on a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Buffalo, State University of New York, this summer.

Other area graduates will attend graduate school as well.

Shauntae Donner, an accounting major from Cuba, N.Y., will enter graduate school at Duquesne University this fall.

Jeffrey Engels, an athletic training major from West Valley, N.Y., will pursue a Master of Science in athletic training at the State University of New York College at Cortland.

Daniel Smith, a sports medicine major from Bradford, will begin a Master of Science in exercise science program at Gannon University in Erie.

Devon Swatt, who double majored in accounting and business management from Bradford, will begin studying for a Master of Business Administration at St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, N.Y.

Richard Obermeyer, a criminal justice major from Bradford, will pursue a graduate degree in intelligence studies at Mercyhurst University in Erie.

Benjamin Doughty of Bradford will pursue a Master of Science in chemistry at The Pennsylvania State University in State College.

Jenna Gorrell, a radiological science major from Lewis Run, will enter Washburn University's radiation therapy program this fall in Topeka, Kan.

Barbara Highhouse, a psychology major from Warren, will pursue a Master of Science in mental health counseling at the University of Alfred (N.Y.)

Other students getting off to an auspicious start include Keanu Sorbelli of Wilkes-Barre, who will be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army and attend Infantry Officer Basic Leadership Course and U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga.

Shannon Lynch, a sports medicine major from Syracuse, N.Y., will pursue a doctorate of physical therapy at Gannon University in Erie.

Love Lee, a broadcast communications major from Upper Darby, will attend the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse (N.Y.) University, where she will study journalism.

Tahira Custis, a broadcast communications major from Folcroft, will pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree for film production at Boston University.

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