The Future is Bright for Class of ’16

This year’s graduates are going on to do incredible things.

From work with a peace-building organization in Bosnia, to beginning careers in graphic design, to entering graduate school to pursue dream careers, the Class of 2016 embodies Wisdom to Make a Difference.

We are looking forward to celebrating this outstanding class!

Seniors, let us know what you’re up to! Email your plans to Jane Eklund.

Off to the Future

Brogan Wessell, a communication major, is pursuing a master’s degree in public relations at Boston University.

Natasha Young will be attending graduate school at Miami University of Ohio, where she’ll be pursuing a Master’s of Science in student affairs and higher education. She’ll also be working as a graduate residence director, supervising eight resident assistants and 200 upperclass residents.

Kaitlyn Derry, who double-majored in elementary education and English, is currently a long-term substitute in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire. She plans to teach in New Hampshire in the fall.

Communication major and philosophy minor Allison Brady will be attending Minnesota State University in the fall, pursuing a master’s degree in exercise and sport psychology.

Ashley Iannone, a communication major and philosophy minor, plans to become a tenant coordinator and go into commercial real estate in the Boston area.

Katherine Marren, a Holocaust and genocide studies major, is going to Bosnia for a year, where she’ll intern at the Center for Peace-building in Sanski Most. Her job will include helping with fund development and grant writing.

Danielle Carlson, with a double-major in criminal justice and psychology, will be heading to North Carolina State University, where she’ll be working toward a doctorate in sociology.

Nicole Demers, a psychology major and substance abuse and addictions minor, will be entering a Plymouth State University master’s program in clinical mental health counseling with a focus on eating disorders.

Alex Pacifico, a psychology major, is headed for graduate school at San Diego State University. She’ll be studying student affairs and higher education, with plans for a career in school counseling.

Marta Morris has been accepted to the Master of Social Work program at Fordham University in New York. She has also been hired as a mental health worker at Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital in Katonah, New York.

Max Kliegle, with a double-major in composition and music technology, has been awarded a scholarship and a graduate assistantship at the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he will work toward a master’s degree in music composition.

Music education major Kevin Lackie will be attending Eastern Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where he’ll be in a master’s program in conducting. Kevin has been awarded a teaching assistantship and a full tuition waver, and will assist with teaching courses in conducting and ensembles.

Adam Rhan, a music performance major with a percussion focus, will be attending the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, where he will work toward a master’s in music performance. Adam has been awarded a graduate assistantship in percussion.

Heather Aldrich, a health science major with a concentration in substance abuse and addictions, will be attending Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where she’ll be in a master’s program in occupational therapy.

Mylynda Gill, a psychology and English double-major, will spend the summer working at Keene State as a project archivist. In the fall, she’ll enter Simmons College School of Library and Information Science in Boston to work toward an MLIS degree.

Arline Votruba, an English major with concentrations in both creating writing and literature, is heading to Iowa State University, where she’ll be in the master’s program in English Literature.

Management major Nathan Howard is pursuing opportunities to play professional basketball in Europe. Nathan, a member of the Owls’ men’s basketball team, was named to the All-Little East Conference second Team and the All-LEC Defensive team this year, along with becoming the 34th player in Keene State history to score 1,000 points.

Noelle Rossini, an English literature and writing major, is heading to Massachusetts School of Law, where she’ll be working on a J.D. degree.

Erin Bridgman, a health science/nutrition major, has been accepted into a summer internship at the University of Georgia with the National Association of College and University Food Services.

Trina Brown, a health science/addictions major, accepted a position with Phoenix House Transitional Living for Women in Recovery, a nonprofit alcohol and drug rehabilitation organization in Brattleboro, Vermont.

Cassandra Corbett, a health science/health promotion major with a specialization in community health, has accepted a position as a fulfillment specialist at Barton Associates in Worcester, Massachusetts. She will be responsible for identifying and placing medical professionals to work at client sites across the United States.

Sandra Pais, a health science/addictions major, accepted a position with Headrest, a nonprofit addiction and crisis support services organization in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Elizabeth Sniffen and Emily Silliman, both health science/addictions majors, have accepted positions with Emerald House, a residential setting for clients in recovery and transition with severe mental health issues in Keene.

Kaitlin Wheeler, a health science/addictions major, has been accepted at the SUNY Albany, Boston University, and Illinois State University social work programs, and is deciding on which program to attend for this coming fall.

Several health science/nutrition majors have been accepted into nine- to 12-month post-graduate dietetic internships, the next step in the process of becoming a nationally credentialed registered dietitian. The students, and their internship locations, are:

• Nora Ainsworth, Western Connecticut Health Network
• Hannah Brilling, University of Houston
• Jamie Bourdon, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Rachael Levy, Tulane University
• Camille Redmond, Marywood University
• Jackie Lindamood, Keene State College
• Ashley Robarge, Keene State College

Melinda Noel, a graphic design major/studio arts minor, will start a full-time job as a graphic designer at Bulldog Design in Keene.

Hailey Connor, an athletic training major, will be heading to Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts, for a master’s program in athletic training. For her final-semester internship, she created a program in which she worked with the football team at Fitchburg State University.

Taylor Troy, with a double-major in graphic design and management and a studio art minor, has landed a job as a junior graphic designer with Search Pro Systems, a marketing and graphic design firm in Nashua.

Kelsey Gutzmann, a graphic design major, will spend the summer working at Camp Wicosuta in Hebron, New Hampshire, then will be looking for a job in the graphic design or web design field.

Ana Clemente, with a major in graphic design and studio art, will begin an entry-level job at Geoffrey, Weill, a New York City public relations firm that focuses on travel and tourism. Ana interned with Geoffrey Weill as a Keene State student.

Monica Waskiewicz, a health science/health promotion major with a specialization in community health, has been accepted into UMass-Amherst’s accelerated program in nursing.

William Puksta, a sustainable product design and innovation (SPDI) major, has landed a position at Hitchiner Manufacturing in Milford, New Hampshire. He’ll start out in Hitchiner’s engineering orientation program.

Corrina Nickerson, a psychology major, will be heading to Springfield College in Massachusetts to work on a master’s degree in athletic counseling.

Analee Benik, a psychology major, health science/ addictions minor, has been accepted to the graduate program in clinical psychology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Commencement 2015 Highlights