Associate Degree

Martinsburg High School graduates, their families and faculty were forced to evacuate the Butcher Center at Shepherd University Tuesday night when the second of two fire alarms went off moments before the commencement ceremony was to begin. Campus police investigated the incident, along with members of the Shepherdstown Fire Department. An unofficial report circulating among faculty members indicated that one or more pranksters were involved. “All we know is that two alarms were activated on the lower floor,” said fire department Lt. Zachary Morgan.

When Kathy McKenzie took to the podium Saturday to present graduate remarks at the Hagerstown Community College 66th Commencement, she said she was there as the result of a life change that made her want to “pay it forward.” On March 9, 2004, McKenzie had just returned to work after the birth of her second child. She was a senior project manager at a marketing firm, “totally career-minded, focused on my job, my status at the company, and the revenue that I generated,” she said.

CHICAGO - Kaplan University celebrated the graduation of its online summer class during a graduation ceremony Aug. 6 at the Arie Crown Theater in Chicago. The following area students were awarded degrees: Angel Akers of Hedgesville, W.Va., bachelor's degree in criminal justice Tammy Besaw of Hedgesville, bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies Diane Brill of Ranson, W.Va., bachelor's degree in criminal justice Shannon Brown of Boonsboro, bachelor's degree in criminal justice Shondre Brown-Naylor of Frederick, Md., bachelor's degree in psychology Brenda Brown-Wells of Sabillasville, Md., associate degree in health sciences Daphnie Campbell of Frederick, master's degree in higher education Lisa Clark of Maugansville, bachelor's degree in business administration Donna Clippinger of Shippensburg, Pa., bachelor's degree in health sciences Apryl Cogle of Martinsburg, W.Va., bachelor's degree in accounting Patricia Fawcett of Hagerstown, master's degree in higher education William Gawors of Shippensburg, associate degree in criminal justice Marvin Goodman of Fort Detrick, Md., associate degree in business administration Luke Grunseth of Hedgesville, associate degree in business administration Tammy Guyton of Falling Waters, W.Va., bachelor's degree in health sciences Laura Haywood of Chambersburg, Pa., associate degree in health sciences Christina Hege of Chambersburg, bachelor's...

Penn State Mont Alto will change its nursing program from a two-year degree to a four-year degree beginning in the fall of 2014. “Hospitals are changing their employment pattern. They aren't hiring associate degree nurses like they had in the past. They are looking for the entry-level professional, which is the bachelor's degree,” said Carranda Barkdoll, Penn State Mont Alto's coordinator for nursing. As the health care delivery system increases in complexity, more education is needed to support the nurses who must navigate it, Barkdoll said.

Alfonso Ruiz isn't sure how his mother did it. As a single mother, she would see her three boys off to school, work as many as three jobs, have dinner on the table, oversee homework and see them off to bed. Then, as they drifted off to sleep, she would hit the books. “She was the little engine that could. She just managed to keep on going,” Ruiz said. Susan Ruiz, 55, of Hagerstown, stayed home with her four children when they were young. But when she divorced in 2000, she needed to find a way to support her family.

As Nicole Glaze of Waynesboro, Pa., fiddled with her cap and gown before Saturday's spring commencement at Penn State Mont Alto, she remembered the obstacles she faced to achieve her dream. “I've worked really hard to get here. I got pregnant when I was 16,” said Glaze, now 20. So many teens give up on their dreams when that happens, she said. But she vowed to herself not to let anything stop her from an education. “To be able to graduate from college is a big thing for me,” she said.

Due to a source's error, the obituary in Wednesday's edition of The Herald-Mail for Ronald Hubert "Ronnie" Kaempf omitted information. He was a 1970 graduate of Thomas Johnson High School in Frederick, Md., and received an associate degree in business from Frederick Community College.

Date of Birth : Oct. 30, 1950 Address : 1207 Hamilton Blvd. Education : Graduate of Smithsburg High School, 1968; associate degree from Hagerstown Community College, 1976. Occupation : Retired after 30 years as a city employee Party affiliation : Republican Political experience : None

Brandi M. Seville and Justin A. Leedy were married Sept. 27, 2008, in an outdoor ceremony at Green Grove Gardens, Greencastle, Pa. The bride is the daughter of Deb and Dale Fritz of Mercersburg, Pa., and the late Terry L. Seville. She is a 2004 graduate of James Buchanan High School and a 2008 graduate of Hagerstown Community College with a double associate degree in psychology and radiology. She is employed as a radiologic technologist at Orthopaedic Associates, Chambersburg, Pa., and Urgent Care in Hagerstown.

Beau L. Person, son of Ted W. and Sheryl E. Person of Hagerstown, graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. Person graduated in 1993 from Watkins Mill High School, Montgomery Village, Md., and received an associate degree in 2002 from Montgomery College, Germantown, Md. His wife, Shellie, is the daughter of Paul J. and Deborah L. Brucker of Evans, Ga.

Martinsburg High School graduates, their families and faculty were forced to evacuate the Butcher Center at Shepherd University Tuesday night when the second of two fire alarms went off moments before the commencement ceremony was to begin. Campus police investigated the incident, along with members of the Shepherdstown Fire Department. An unofficial report circulating among faculty members indicated that one or more pranksters were involved. “All we know is that two alarms were activated on the lower floor,” said fire department Lt. Zachary Morgan.

When Kathy McKenzie took to the podium Saturday to present graduate remarks at the Hagerstown Community College 66th Commencement, she said she was there as the result of a life change that made her want to “pay it forward.” On March 9, 2004, McKenzie had just returned to work after the birth of her second child. She was a senior project manager at a marketing firm, “totally career-minded, focused on my job, my status at the company, and the revenue that I generated,” she said.

Alfonso Ruiz isn't sure how his mother did it. As a single mother, she would see her three boys off to school, work as many as three jobs, have dinner on the table, oversee homework and see them off to bed. Then, as they drifted off to sleep, she would hit the books. “She was the little engine that could. She just managed to keep on going,” Ruiz said. Susan Ruiz, 55, of Hagerstown, stayed home with her four children when they were young. But when she divorced in 2000, she needed to find a way to support her family.

As Nicole Glaze of Waynesboro, Pa., fiddled with her cap and gown before Saturday's spring commencement at Penn State Mont Alto, she remembered the obstacles she faced to achieve her dream. “I've worked really hard to get here. I got pregnant when I was 16,” said Glaze, now 20. So many teens give up on their dreams when that happens, she said. But she vowed to herself not to let anything stop her from an education. “To be able to graduate from college is a big thing for me,” she said.

Penn State Mont Alto will change its nursing program from a two-year degree to a four-year degree beginning in the fall of 2014. “Hospitals are changing their employment pattern. They aren't hiring associate degree nurses like they had in the past. They are looking for the entry-level professional, which is the bachelor's degree,” said Carranda Barkdoll, Penn State Mont Alto's coordinator for nursing. As the health care delivery system increases in complexity, more education is needed to support the nurses who must navigate it, Barkdoll said.

An agreement signed Wednesday by leaders of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and the University of Charleston provides another option for students to seamlessly transfer from one school to the other to continue their education, officials said. The agreement provides Blue Ridge CTC students who complete an associate degree the option of transferring to the University of Charleston's Martinsburg campus to pursue a bachelor's degree without the risk of losing credit for completed course work.

Richard Eugene "Dick" Gouker, 62, of Mercersburg, Pa., departed this life Wednesday, March 6, 2013, surrounded by his loved ones. Born May 31, 1950, he was the son of the late Joseph Eugene Gouker and the late Elizabeth Robinson Gouker Hurley.  He attended James Buchanan High School. Dick married Linda Diana Mellott in 1966, and lost the love of his life in June 2007. Dick served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1993. He was stationed in Spain, Saudi Arabia, Texas, the Philippines and Alamogordo, N.M. He served in Operation Desert Storm and retired with the rank of staff sergeant.

Hagerstown Community College recently held a nurse-pinning ceremony to recognize graduates of its fall nursing class. In the associate degree nursing program, the following graduates received their nursing pins: Chambersburg, Pa. - Tracey L. Schultz Emmitsburg, Md. - Ashley N. Coleman Fayetteville, Pa. - Ashley L. Barnes Frederick, Md. - Kimberly McDonald Greencastle, Pa. - Leanna Hollingshead, Stephanie A. Ocker, Ann L. White ...

It's been more than five years since Michael Tomlin was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis, made just before his 30th birthday, was two years in coming as other medical conditions were ruled out. Tomlin said it's a hard disease to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to Lyme disease and lupus. He said in 2005 his eyes “started acting up,” then the right side of his body went numb. It took four MRIs before the telltale MS lesions showed up. In some ways, the diagnosis was a positive turning point for Tomlin, 35. Since then, he's lost 50 pounds by eating healthier and making exercise a priority.

Judith Ann Wagner, 70, of Williamsport, Md., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown, Md. Born May 5, 1942, in Hagerstown, she was the daughter of the late Lester Clint "Johnnie" and Wanda Alberta Johnson Davis. She was a graduate of Williamsport High School and also Hagerstown Community College with an associate degree in human services. She was licensed by the state of Maryland as a nursing home administrator. She was employed as director of programs and services by Homewood Retirement Centers of the United Church of Christ Inc. in Williamsport until retiring in 1997.