HARRISBURG— A Connoquenessing man graduated March 8 from the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Ross Leffler School of Conservation and was commissioned as a wildlife conservation officer.

Christopher J. Deal was assigned to Centre County during ceremonies at Susquehanna Township High School.

The 22-member class reported to the training facility at the agency's Harrisburg headquarters on April 1, 2007. Included in the 49 weeks of classroom instruction and field training were wildlife management, law enforcement, wildlife laws and regulations, land management practices, conservation education, public relations and firearms training.

Primary duties include law enforcement, wildlife conflicts, conservation education, administration of the Hunter-Trapper Education program, and supervising part-time deputy wildlife conservation officers.