PHILIPPI, W.Va.—September 26, 2019—It comes as no surprise that following the 148th Commencement Ceremony, which included the inaugural Master of Science in anatomy graduating class, the Battler community is again celebrating student successes. Three Alderson Broaddus University alumni have, in less than six months, found themselves taking the next steps in their careers.
Just before the start of the 2019-20 academic year, Mackenzie Bergeron 18 from Newcomerstown, Ohio, Seth Bergeron18 from West Lafayette, Ohio, and Matthew Searls from Saint Albans, W.Va., transitioned from recent graduates to faculty members.
“I decided to become a Battler because AB reminded me of home. The small-town atmosphere was exactly what I was looking for,” said Mackenzie Bergeron. Bergeron attended AB for her undergraduate study and graduated in 2018. She was later accepted into the University’s Masters of Science in anatomy program and earned her graduate degree in 2019. As an assistant professor of biology, Bergeron has begun to share the skills she cultivated during her time as a student in her role as an educator.
In 2015, Matthew Searls earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Searls began perusing his graduate degree in 2018 and credits the location, class size, and program goals as his reasons for joining the Battler family. “Since it had been three years since attending undergraduate school, it took a few weeks for my mind to transition back to my role as a student. The opportunities and instructive practices of the anatomy program at AB were a great fit,” said Searls. Searls was offered and accepted the position as an assistant professor of anatomical science at Alderson Broaddus University.
Seth Bergeron received his undergraduate from Alderson Broaddus in 2018 and continued his education by also pursuing his graduate degree at AB. “I became a Battler because of the small, tight-knit community and the opportunities to obtain an excellent education,” said Bergeron. After graduating as one of AB’s first Master of Science in anatomy degree recipients, he accepted a position at West Virginia Wesleyan College as an instructor of biology.
“It was wonderful to watch our anatomy students from the Alderson Broaddus Class of 2019 grow over the last year as they trained to become educators in the field of anatomical science,” said Kristen Winter, associate professor of anatomical science.
Congratulations, Battlers!
About Alderson Broaddus University
Alderson Broaddus (AB) University is a private, four-year institution of higher education located on a historic hilltop in Barbour County in Philippi, West Virginia. Since its founding in 1871, AB has been a leader and innovator in higher education, with accolades in the health and natural sciences.
AB stands out as one of the most innovative health education providers in Appalachia, pioneering the nation’s first baccalaureate physician assistant program of its kind in 1968, the first post-baccalaureate physician assistant master’s degree program in 1990, and West Virginia’s first four-year nursing program in 1945.
For more information, visit www.ab.edu.
About Master of Science in Anatomy
The Master of Science in anatomy program is a 24-month on-campus, blended program conducted in a traditional face-to-face lecture format, with some online courses offered during the student’s class schedule.
Students in the Master of Science in anatomy program are educated to be anatomists, work in clinical laboratories, teach in community colleges and universities, and pursue professional educations in medical or research-related fields.
For more information on the anatomy program, visit ab.edu/apply.
