Graduating Class Set to Receive First-Ever Methodist-Awarded MJA and MBA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DECEMBER 13, 2007
MARIA SIKORYAK-ROBINS
DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS

FAYETTEVILLE, NC—Of the 228 candidates for graduation Dec. 15, 2007, 13 candidates from Methodist University’s Master of Justice Administration (MJA) Program, and ten candidates from The Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Pinehurst®, will walk with their respective inaugural class. Until this graduation, the University has awarded only the Master of Medical Science degree—first conferred Dec. 12, 2003—to those students who successfully completed the Physician Assistant Program.

“Over the past two years the members of this MJA graduating class have had the opportunity to build life-long bonds and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed as criminal justice professionals,” said Dr. Darl Champion, director of the MJA Program. “Seeing their growth and development through the program has been priceless. They have met the challenge and are now prepared to be the future leaders of the North Carolina criminal justice system.”

MJA Graduates
Thomas Bergamine (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Matthew Burleyson (Mooresville, N.C.)
Milton Wayne Coates (Winterville, N.C.)
Phillip Paul Firrantello (Kings Mountain, N.C.)
Kimberly Gagnon (Bell Gardens, Calif.)
Kimberly Gordon (Brevard, N.C.)
Bradley Hendren (Taylorsville, N.C.)
Benson Hoyle (Cornelius, N.C.)
Richard Lloyd, Jr. (Mebane, N.C.)
Phillip Patterson (Mount Pleasant, N.C.)
Lacy Pittman (Holly Springs, N.C.)
Mark Strickland (Salemburg, N.C.)
Anthony Westbrook II (Wilmington, N.C.)

“I am extremely proud to call them MJA graduates,” said Dr. Champion.

All of the graduates are members of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Many of this year’s graduating students have already secured top positions in their field. Tom Bergamine, named Fayetteville’s chief of police April 10, 2007, will receive his master’s degree in justice administration. Chief Bergamine is a native of the Bronx, N.Y., and began his career with the Fayetteville Police Department in 1978.

“I strongly recommend the MJA Program to law enforcement professionals. The learning experience is truly rewarding,” said Bergamine, who holds a bachelor's degree in political science and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. He also served for three years in a military police unit in the U.S. Army.

“The program is not only based on strong academics, but networking with law enforcement personnel throughout the state. I have truly enjoyed the academic journey, the excellent staff, and great classmates.”

Kimberly Gagnon, a detective with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, will also receive her MJA degree.

“Whether they are professionals in the courts, correctional facilities, law enforcement, or training, it is a blended, two-year program for leaders in the criminal justice profession,” said Kristine Thomas, program coordinator and instructor of justice studies.

The Professional MBA at Pinehurst®
“Methodist University is extremely proud of the first MBA graduates. They completed a rigorous course of study and compare favorably to any MBA program in America on end-of-program testing,” said Dr. Warren McDonald, director of the MBA Program. “Four of the ten are going on to doctoral study. The remaining graduates will surely move quickly up the ladder of their organizations.”

Jens Klemsche, for example, is the golf pro at Highland Country Club in Fayetteville, N.C. Tom Inczauskis is one of six PGA Professionals on staff at Methodist University and serves as head golf professional and director of instruction.

MBA Graduates
Scott Ellender (Pinehurst, N.C.)
Alison Friend (Lisbon, Ohio)
Thomas Inczauskis (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Wayne Kearney (Southern Pines, N.C.)
Jens Klemsche (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Carla McKenzie (Cameron, N.C.)
Justin Rimbey (Apex, N.C.)
Michael Schubach (Pinehurst, N.C.)
Michael Townsend (Raleigh, N.C.)
Richard Walters, Jr. (Salemburg, N.C.)

“They are all shining examples for this university and we are proud to have them as representatives of The Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Pinehurst®,” said Dr. McDonald.

Many golf, tennis, and resort industry executives require an advanced degree tailored to their distinctive professions and individual career goals. The Professional Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Pinehurst® provides the foundation for a rising career in these industries. The core of traditional MBA courses is complemented at Methodist University by industry-specific emphasis courses, an executive speaker series, and an individualized capstone experience—a final project individually-tailored to the student’s experience and career goal. Case studies and practical applications are used in all classes throughout the program that address the unique issues which develop in these industries. Classes are held one weekend a month at Pinehurst with supplemental coursework completed online between residency sessions.

About Methodist University
Methodist University is an independent four-year institution of higher education with over 2,100 students from 41 states and 30 countries. Methodist University offers over 70 majors and concentrations, three master’s degree programs, and 19 NCAA III intercollegiate sports. For more information about the MJA Program, please visit www.methodist.edu/mja or call (910) 630-7268. For more information on The Professional MBA at Pinehurst®, please visit www.methodist.edu/mba or call (910) 630-7493.