WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 7, 2019 — The first class of graduates earning master degrees in biology at West Liberty University participated in Spring 2019 Commencement and are now beginning the next step in their professional careers.
These careers include a variety of fields including medicine, research, education and the beer brewing industry.
The Master of Arts and Master of Science (MA/MS) in biology degrees were launched in fall of 2017. Not long after that WLU and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine began a bridge program for master of biology students seeking to become physicians.
“We are so proud of the accomplishments of our first graduating MA/MS class. The students have worked very hard and we wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors,” said Dr. Karen Kettler, interim dean of the College of Sciences.
MA/MS in biology graduates include:
- Evan French, Vincent, Ohio and Rachel Wiechman, Bellaire, Ohio, earned the Master of Arts in Biology degree;
- James A. Healy IV, Anderson, Ind., earned the Master of Science in Biology degree;
- Katherine Phillips, Beallsville, Ohio, Tylor Tabit, Fayetteville, W.Va., Mohamed Abdelrahim, Milwaukee, Wis., Mitchell Stanley, Charleston, W.Va., Ojong Ashu, Atlanta, Ga., Rachel Sankin, Lake Worth, Fla., Zeenat Hussain, Farmington, Conn., Michael Robertson, Alexandria, Va. and Casey France, Logan, W.Va., all earned the Master of Arts in Biomedical Science.
French will be attending the Ohio University physical therapy program.
Weichman will be teaching in the Department of Natural Science and Math at West Liberty University.
Healy is seeking employment in the brewing industry.
Hussain will be attending the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Ashu, France, Phillips, Robertson, Sankin, Stanley and Tabit will attend the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Abdelrahim will be working as a clinical research assistant at the Medical College of Wisconsin while gaining experience before he applies for medical school.
The College of Sciences at West Liberty University offers a student-focused teaching, learning and research environment dedicated to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. Graduate assistantships also are available to qualified candidates and will cover tuition expenses.
For more information on its master of biology program, please visit westliberty.edu/mamsbiology or contact the director of the program, Dr. Joseph Horzempa at joseph.horzempa@westliberty.edu. For complete information on all graduate programs, please click here.