Milestones

LAWYERS

Irwin earns law degree

James M. Irwin, formerly of Boardman, graduated from University of Akron Law School, earning his juris doctorate degree with a specialty in intellectual property.

Irwin, a 2001 Boardman High School graduate, received his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Youngstown State University in 2005, where he was actively involved in the Center for Student Progress and Residence Life and Housing.

At YSU he received grants from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation to conduct research at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and North Dakota State University. His research focused on drug-phospholipid interactions and pharmacokinetic enzyme inhibition.

While at Akron, he was executive editor of the Akron Intellectual Property Journal, co-founder of the Health Law Society, and worked full time as an analytical chemist for Akron Rubber Development Labs.

He is an associate at Pearne & Gordon LLP, Cleveland, an international law firm specializing in patents and trademarks. He is a member of the Cleveland Intellectual Property Law Association, the American Bar Association, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the American Chemical Society. He lives in Akron.

He is the son of Nancy S. Irwin of Canfield and grandson of John and Verna Siersdorfer of Boardman.

SCOUTs

Kocher is Eagle Scout

Eric Kocher, son of John and Cindy Kocher of Liberty, received his Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts’ highest honor, during a May 9 ceremony at Church Hill United Methodist Church in Liberty.

Eric has been in Scouting for 13 years, beginning as a Tiger Cub Scout in 1996 for Pack 42 at the church. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 42 and has earned 25 merit badges.

Eric has had troop leadership positions as patrol leader, scribe and librarian.

For his Eagle Scout service project, he conducted five food drives for Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. He collected 1,548 food items and $869.18.

Eric is a senior at Liberty High School and is a member of the school’s marching, symphonic and jazz bands, soccer and wrestling teams.

He also is a member of Orbit Heaven Puppeteers and Next Valley Youth Movement at Pleasant Valley Evangelical Church. After graduation, he plans to attend Youngstown State University.

PH.D

Welsh receives doctorate

Thomas G. Welsh Jr. of Youngstown received his doctorate from Kent State University’s College and Graduate School of Education, Health, and Human Services last week. His major was cultural foundations of education.

While completing his course work, he served as adjunct professor and worked at the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education.

Welsh was inducted into Phi Beta Delta and Phi Delta Kappa honor societies, and recently became a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. He was a recipient of the Phi Beta Delta Outstanding Graduate Student Award as well as a Service Award from the College and Graduate School of Education, Health and Human Services.

Welsh, who worked as both a teacher and journalist in Korea and Cambodia, was involved as both an officer and member of the Association of International Students in Education, an organization for domestic and international students concerned about issues in global education.

Locally, he is a member of the Ohio Cultural Alliance, the Ethnic Heritage Society, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Patrick Church in Youngstown. He also is a contributor to Steel Valley Voices, a Web site that explores ethnic and racial diversity in the community.

He is a graduate of Ursuline High School and received both his bachelor’s degree in fine and performing arts and his master’s degree in language and literature from Youngstown State University, where he was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

Snyder earns doctorate

Andrea Jill Snyder of Boardman has received her doctor of philosophy degree in counseling psychology from Fordham University in New York City.

Snyder graduated from Crestview High School in 1998 and received bachelor’s degrees in psychology and criminal justice from Youngstown State University in 2002. She received her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Fordham University in 2005.

Snyder completed her doctoral internship at the Clayton Center, a community behavioral-health center near Atlanta. She has accepted a position with Comprehensive Children and Family Services in New Castle, Pa.

XMilestones is a regular Sunday feature in The Vindicator. Articles must be submitted within 30 days of the Milestone event. Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you want a picture returned. Pictures also may be picked up at the paper’s Front Street facility at the security guard station. Send items to: Milestones, c/o The Vindicator, P.O. Box 780, Youngstown 44501.