Charles Yarnall (1990): I knew I made the right choice
At six years old, Charles Yarnall could see his future. "I grew up in Blue Bell,
looking at the field that became the College." The family moved, but Charles came
back, "From my first class, I knew I made the right choice." That choice was the biology
sciences. After acquiring the needed courses, Charles was one of only six students
accepted annually among the 300 applicants for Hahnemann Hospital's cardiovascular
perfusion program. This specialty provides full life support temporarily replacing
circulatory and respiratory functions during procedures like open-heart surgery. Today,
he's a published author, teacher and a co-creator of a device that transports Macro
Molecules to organs such as the heart. This device was awarded a patent by the United
States just last year. He practices regularly at Abington Hospital.
William Ziegler (1991): Will the next Bill Ziegler please stand up
Dr. William Ziegler, yes, Dr. Ziegler, is the first to admit that he didn't see himself
as college material. He laughs when he tells you that he didn't even register himself
for his first semester. His father did! "My parents wanted a better life for me than
they had," Bill remembers. "I didn't know what I wanted to do. Montgomery County Community
College planted the seed that led me to teaching." Today Bill is principal of Pottsgrove
High School and was president of the Pennsylvania Association of Elementary/Secondary
School Principals. These days, when he thinks of the College, it's as a stepping stone
for his students. "We participate in the College's 'Gateway to College' program to
help students struggling in school. We send a lot of kids to Montgomery County Community
College." Maybe one of them will be the next doctor, lawyer, dentist, engineer, architect,
nurse, etc.
Jeannine McKnight (1993): Expanding her world
After a stint as an Arabic cryptologic linguist in the U.S. Air Force, Jeannine McKnight
came to the College to build experience and explore possible careers. "The classes
were excellent," she remembers. "The faculty, especially Pat Nestler and Charles Reilly,
put no limits on what I could do." From strobe lights to the earliest "selfies" (with
film!), to creative writing and poetry, Jeannine expanded her world far beyond what
she expected. She went on to own a successful book packaging company and worked as
a fire performer and Middle Eastern dance instructor. Now as senior editor and literary
magazine adviser at Widener University, she is grateful to Montgomery County Community
College for the most energizing years of her life.
Tracy Reinhart (1993): I truly found my love for dentistry
From an orthodontic assistant right out of North Penn High School to her associate's
degree in dental hygiene from the College to her Doctorate in Dentistry from Temple
University School of Dentistry, few have been as deeply involved in dentistry throughout
their profession as Tracy Reinhart. "The experiences I had at Montgomery County Community
College still stay with me today," she says. "I had teachers who had their finger
on the pulse of what was happening in my field to guide me. It was there that I truly
found my love for dentistry." Besides her busy practice, Tracy sits on the College's
Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee and its Leading Women in Philanthropy initiative.
She also established the Tracy Rossi-Reinhart Endowment fund that honors dental hygiene
students with annual scholarships.
Rodolfo Tellez (1993): Translating life
"I was 15 years old when we arrived," Rudy Tellez says. As immigrants from LaPaz,
Bolivia, family money was tight. Starting at the College made sense. After graduating,
he continued his education at West Chester University, where he earned his bachelor's
degree in Communications. He then earned his master's degree in Student Affairs in
Higher Education from Kutztown University. He became a professional interpreter, now
certified for medical, court and conference work. "I worked for Attorney General Eric
Holder, Al Sharpton, Nobel Prize winners, Congress and ambassadors," Rudy says. He
also teaches at LaSalle University. While Montgomery County Community College was
instrumental to his success, Rudy reminds himself daily of his parents' role in his
accomplishments. "They're my biggest heroes. It's because of their courage and love
that I became the man I am." Rudy serves on the College's Alumni Board.
Megan Kratz (1994): Teaching, acting and life
"The teachers at Montgomery County Community College are some of the best I've ever
had," Megan Kratz tells us. "Their dedication, wealth of knowledge, and approachability
are why I'm a proud alumna." As a 1997 Cum Laude graduate at West Chester University
in Elementary Education, Megan knows about quality teaching. She practices it regularly
at the College, teaching Acting Fundamentals for the last 15 years in the continuing
education program, in addition to substitute teaching for the Wissahickon School District.
Megan's also an actress for TV, movies and local theater. She's held leading roles
at the Walnut Street Theater's productions of "The Sign in Sidney Burstein's Window,"
and "Golden Boy." "In my free time, you can find me hanging with my husband of 14
years and our four beautiful children. I am a proud stay-at-home mom, who loves to
cook with my family, run with my friends, and write and perform skits," she says.
Alan Porter (1999): Safe
Alan came to the College focused on a career: baseball. Coach Lou Lombardo's reputation
is a magnet to up-and-coming players. But nobody, even Alan, considered the path he
ended up taking. "That's when I heard of 'umpire school.'" The odds were against him:
of his class of 150, only 25 started in the minors. Each season, though, Alan moved
up. "There are fewer and fewer slots. To get a full-time Major League job someone
has to leave one of the 74 positions." That's exactly what happened. "The Minors aren't
anything like the Big Leagues," he reflects. The off season gives Alan a chance to
bond with his and Alison's (also a graduate of the College) two kids. He's also on
campus. "I help Lou out with an umpire clinic," Alan says. What does he tell them?
"No matter what your goal is, don't shy away."