GRADUATES
Maria Lutz of Sarver graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.A 2004 graduate of Freeport High School, she is a member of the Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society and Kappa Delta Sorority. She was also involved with Penn State's annual dance marathon.Lutz completed her student teaching requirements this spring at the Vale First and Middle School in Worthing, England, through the University of Chichester.Lutz is the daughter of Larry and Judy Lutz of Sarver.———
The following students received degrees from their respective colleges and universities:<B>Brian Lutz</B> of Sarver graduated from Elon University Law School in Greensboro, N.C., where he was a member of its charter class.He is a 1999 graduate of Freeport High School and a 2003 graduate of Lafayette College.Before attending law school, he was a paralegal in the New York City district attorney's office.Lutz is the son of Larry and Judy Lutz of Sarver.———<B>Elizabeth Stewart</B> of Concord Township graduated from Boston University with a master of science degree in arts administration.Stewart will continue her work in the nonprofit world of Boston. She is a marketing associate at Central Square Theater, media and public relations chair on the Boston Pride Committee, and communications director at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.She graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie in 2005 with a degree in music education and from Moniteau High School in 2001.She is the daughter of Mark and Judy Stewart of Concord Township.———
<B>Erika Rost</B> of Renfrew received a bachelor's degree in neuroscience June 4 from Washington and Lee University.While at the university, Rost participated in cheerleading, College Republicans and Pi Beta Phi sorority.She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Rost of Renfrew.———<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
<B>Carly Porter</B> graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in advertising with a business minor from Penn State University.At the university, she graduated with high distinction and was on the dean's list each semester.Porter is a 2006 graduate of Butler High School and the daughter of Dan Porter and Bill and Carrie Minton, all of Butler.———<B>Melanie Boulanger </B>of Butler graduated magna cum laude from Robert Morris University with a degree in marketing.She was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Mu Alpha and Alpha Chi. She was also a four-year dean's list award winner and nominated to Who's Who Among College Students.She is a 2005 graduate of Butler High School. Boulanger is the daughter of Dan Boulanger of Butler and Dave and Mary Pataky of Butler.———
Ensign <B>Nathaniel Backstrom</B> of Butler graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Md.He majored in physics. While at the academy, Backstrom made the superintendent's list each semester and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Sigma Pi Sigma, a national physics honor society.Backstrom will attend the U.S Navy Nuclear Power School in Charleston, N.C. and will pursue his naval career as a submariner. He is the son of James and Susan Backstrom of Butler.———<B>Daniel Fenstermacher</B> of Grove City graduated from Delaware Valley College.———<B>Drew Craig </B>of Slippery Rock received a bachelor of arts degree in marketing May 10 from Marietta College.———<BR><BR><BR>
Cadet <B>Matthew Kalin</B> of Butler graduated May 23 from the United States Military Academy.While at West Point, he studied French and Arabic with honors. He received the Order of Lafayette Award for excellence in French, the superintendent's award for achievement, and a five-pointed star to signify his status as a distinguished cadet.Kalin was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army within the aviation branch and will report to flight school in Fort Rucker, Ala. for his first assignment.Kalin is a 2005 graduate of Butler High School.He is the son of Beth Johnson of Butler and Robert Kalin of Gibsonia.———<B>Sarah Bencic</B> of Slippery Rock received a bachelor of arts degree in art history from Boston University.———<BR><BR><BR>
<B>Kelly Macurdy</B> of Butler graduated from Slippery Rock University with a master of arts degree in addiction counseling.She works as a drug and alcohol therapist in the detox unit of Butler Memorial Hospital.Macurdy graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2005 with a degree in psychology and in 2002 from Butler High School.She is the daughter of David and Patricia Macurdy of Butler.———<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
<B>Joe Smith</B> of Butler graduated from the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine with a doctor of veterinary medicine degree.While at the university, he received the Ward Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine, the 2009 Award for Excellence in Preventive Medicine, and the American Association of Bovine Practitioner's Scholarship. He was also a two-time qualifier for the National Collegiate Wrestling Association national tournament and 2008 state champion in freestyle wrestling.Smith graduated in 2005 from Penn State University with a degree in animal bioscience and in 2001 from Butler High School.He is the son of Bill and Donna Smith of Butler.———<B>Amy Blumling</B> of Cranberry Township received an associate in arts degree May 11 from Oxford College of Emory University in Atlanta.She is the daughter of Karen Blumling of Cranberry Township and Robert Blumling of Pittsburgh.———<BR><BR>
<B>Jason McLafferty</B> of Pittsburgh graduated from Penn State University with a Ph.D. in material science and engineering.He worked in the research department of Alcoa from 2002 to 2003. He was a graduate student and teaching assistant at the University of Southern California from 2003 to 2004. At Penn State, he was a graduate student and research assistant from 2005 to 2008 and was selected for the chancellor's list in 2005.McLafferty is a 1997 graduate of Butler High School and a 2001 graduate of Penn State Behrend.He is the son of Robert and Kay McLafferty of Butler and is married to Laura Polanec McLafferty.———
