UNIONTOWN, P.A., JANUARY 29th, 2026 – Laurel Technical Institute held graduation on January 15th, 2026, at the State Theater in Uniontown, PA. Opening comments were given by Nancy Decker, President and CEO of Laurel Institutes, “This is a time to celebrate all the hard work you’ve put forth in the recent months of your life,” says Decker, “you’ve put in the time, the effort, and the dedication and here you are. Congratulations to each of you, we are all very proud of you.”
Assistant Campus Director, McKenna Gower, recognized the class Valedictorians, Nicholas Loughner, MercMedes Bando, Tina Dean, and Kevin Hendrix. Gower then recognized class salutatorians James Cessna and Alexis Pritts. Next to be recognized were the January 2026 Distinguished Graduates Kevin Hendrix and Lucas Stevens. Hendrix and Stevens were also recognized for membership into the Alpha Beta Kappa Honor Society. Assistant Campus Director, McKenna Gower, then presented the Degree and Diplomas to the graduates. The Career Services department reported that 74% of the January 2026 graduating class have accepted employment offers within their program of study. The following students were awarded Specialized Associate Degrees and Diplomas in the following programs:
Degree Programs:
Early Childhood Education
Kyndra Rose Tucker
Medical Billing & Coding
Miranda Arnold
Kaleigh Jo Lynn
Electrical Technician
James Cessna
Matthew Costello
Josiah Dauria
Geno DeChessero
Jace Deli
Brody Dix
Nicholas Loughner
Mark Martini
Ramani Pirl
Brandon Rapchak
Noah Ritchie
Jacob Thomas
Diploma Programs:
Clinical Medical Assistant
Cassy C Knisell
Kaitlyn Eileen Wright
Cosmetology
Meredith Kinneer
Valerie Means
Alexis Pritts
Carleigh Riley
Esthetics & Nail Technician
Mercedes Bando
Tia Dean
Practical Nursing
Noelle Bernier
Andres Cardona
Angel Dennison
Vada Glover
Kevin Hendrix
Shawna Hileman
Emily Hutchison
Gabrielle Kobaly
Kaylee McClead
Olivia Sanders
Mackenzie Jordan Sanner
Shalea Smith
Raven Darryle Thornton
Lynda N. Weaver
Welding & Fabrication with Pipeline Technology
Lucas Stevens
Front Row, Left to Right: Shawna Hileman, Kevin Hendrix, James Cessna, Mercedes Bando, Tia Dean, Lucas Stevens, Alexis Pritts, Standing-Lynn Weaver
Second Row, Left to Right: Raven Thornton, Valerie Means, Carleigh Riley, Meredith Kinneer, Kaitlyn Wright, Brandon Rapchak, Kaleigh Jo Lynn, Miranda Arnold, Kendra Tucker, Cassy Knisell, Angel Dennison
Third Row, Left to Right: Noelle Bernier, Olivia Sanders, Matthew Costello, Jace Deli, Noah Ritchie, Ramani Pirl, Jacob Thomas, Geno DeChessero.
Founded in 1985 as Laurel Business Institute is a private, post-secondary specialized associate degree-granting, Career and Technical Education (CTE) provider with four locations throughout Western Pennsylvania and North Central West Virginia. Laurel is nationally accredited as ‘School of Distinction’ by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, Laurel has over 500 current students and 3,800 alumni across approximately 20 different AST/B Degree and Diploma programs. These programs are focused on high-demand occupational classifications such as skilled trades, health care, information technology, business, cosmetology, and early childhood education.