College News

Megan Houston was named to the dean's list at Mercyhurst College in Erie, where she is a senior majoring in athletic training. A 2006 graduate of Trinity High School, her parents are Terry and Janet Houston of Washington. She is captain of the school's softball team and was named a 2009 PSAC Western Division second team all-star. In June, she attended the 60th Pinky Newell annual meeting and clinical symposia in San Antonio, Texas, where she received the National Athletic Training Association Research and Education Foundation Scholarship. There were 41 awards given nationally. Houston completed her junior year with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Published 10/11/2009

Hannah E. Kirby, daughter of Barbara Kirby of Waynesburg and the late James Kirby, became the first recipient in Erie of the Athena Young Professional Award, which honors an outstanding college student in the community. Kirby is a senior at Gannon University, where she is majoring in mechanical engineering. She was nominated for the award by Karinna M. Vernaza, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering at the university. Kirby serves as a university ambassador and is president of the campus chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. During the 2008-09 academic year, she served as secretary for the campus chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. She also is a leader for Adelphai women's faith-sharing group. Kirby is a graduate of Waynesburg Central High School.

Darrin

Edward

Luginski has graduated from Second City Conservatory, Chicago, where he majored in improvisation for actors/sketch comedy. Luginski, a 2003 graduate of Washington High School, won Best Supporting Actor in a Short Film at the British Film Festival for his role in"Refuge." He earned a bachelor's degree in theater in 2007 from Temple University, Philadelphia, and is employed at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago. Luginski performed in "The Millionaire Farmer" and "Tweaked" in Chicago. At Temple, he performed in the "One Act Play Festival," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and "Our Lady of 121st Street." His parents are John and Maureen Luginski of Washington.

Andrew M. Klemash has been inducted as a member in good standing into the Legal Eagles, the student community of the Department of Justice, Law and Society at American University, Washington, D.C. His parents are Paul and Nancy Klemash of Cecil. He is a 2009 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School.

Aimee Smith, a graduate of Canon-McMillan High School, was awarded a $1,500 Vesuvius Americas scholarship to continue her education at the University of Pittsburgh. She is pursuing a degree in neuroscience. Her father is Paul Smith of Muse, a Vesuvius employee.

Bryan Welling has received $1,000 in tuition assistance from the Imagine America Military Award Program. Welling, of Claysville, is a member of the U.S. military and will be attending Penn Commercial Business and Technical School in Washington to study heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Published 10/4/2009

Lyndsay Bogdan of Orlando, Fla., has graduated from West Virginia University, where she was a finance major. She was a member of the Finance Club, women's club soccer team from 2005-09, Public Relations Club from 2007-09 and the dean's list. She is employed by Bank of New York Mellon in alternative investment services. Bogdan is a 2005 graduate of Jefferson-Morgan High School. Ron and Kathy Bogdan of Rices Landing are her parents.

Jessica Nicolella, a 2007 graduate of Trinity High School, graduated alpha beta gamma from Pittsburgh Technical Institute. She majored in accounting and business management, and completed an internship at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Fla. Nicolella serves as a deacon at the Third United Presbyterian Church and is employed by Dick's Sporting Goods. Jodi Nicolella of Washington is her mother.

Sarah Gossett of Avella, a 2005 graduate of Avella High School, has gradated from Waynesburg University, where she was a criminal justice administration major. She was on the dean's list in her senior year and a two-year starter for the women's basketball team. Her parents are Don and Diane Gossett of Avella. She is employed in security at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Andrew Henderson, son of Richard and Janice Henderson of Canonsburg, has been named to the dean's list at Otterbein College, where he is a communications major with a minor in journalism, public relations, marketing, and broadcasting. He was a member of the WOBN on-air radio station staff for two years, section editor for the Tan & Cardinal and vice president of Sigma Delta Phi fraternity. Henderson is a 2006 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School. He was an intern for Arthritis Foundation of Columbus.

Ryan Sarver has begun studies at the University of London, where he pursuing a master's degree in digital music processing electrical engineering. He graduated cum laude in the spring with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University. A 2005 Ringgold High School graduate, his parents are Linda and Roy Sarver of Monongahela.

Melissa Clutter graduated from the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health with a master's degree in public health management. Clutter, practice manager at Southwestern Pennsylvania Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Ltd., is a Fellow in the American College of Medical Practice Executives. The fellowship is the highest honor in the medical group practice management profession. She will be recognized in October at the ACMPE Business Meeting Luncheon and Fellows Convocation, held in conjunction with the Medical Group Management Association annual conference, in Denver, Colo. She is a 1991graduate of McGuffey High School, and her parents are John and Freda Christman of Washington.

Melissa Marlene Gilbert, daughter of Randy and Lynn Gilbert of McDonald, graduated with highest honors from the Washington Hospital School of Radiologic Technology. She is a 2007 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School and is employed by Advanced Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation.

Taylee Haines of Dilliner was awarded a scholarship from the Laurel Business Institute, where she is enrolled in the accounting program. Haines is a 2009 graduate of Mapletown High School, and her parents are Troy and Jea Haines.

Keven Andrew McCloskey graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. McCloskey is a 2005 graduate of Belle Vernon High School and is a structural engineer with Sucevic, Piccolomini and Kuchar Engineering Inc., Uniontown. His parents are Kelly and Marla McCloskey of Belle Vernon, formerly of Washington.

Sean Montgomery was awarded a bronze and silver Telly Award for his documentary video on the "Scripture Rocks" of Brookville. An international competition, the Telly Awards receive more than 14,000 entries from around the world, with fewer than 10 percent winning the silver, the top award. Montgomery is a senior mass media arts and journalism major with a concentration in film at Clarion University. He has been named to the dean's list for six consecutive semesters and is the graphics editor for the Clarion Call. He also completed a summer internship with WTAE-TV in the commercial production department. Montgomery is a 2006 graduate of Trinity High School, and his parents are Kent and Pam Montgomery of Washington.

Katelyn Tilley Willyerd graduated from Penn State University with a doctorate in plant pathology. She previously earned a bachelor of science degree in biology from Otterbien College, Westerville, Ohio. She is 2001 graduate of Avella High School. Her parents are John and Nancy Tilley of Washington, and her husband is Scott Willyerd. She is a post-doctoral researcher at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at Ohio State University.