Mohawk Alumni Hall of Fame

“Mohawk Alumni Hall of Fame” was established in 2011, by The Mohawk Community Education Foundation Board of Directors. The distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame Program, is to recognize graduates of Mohawk, who have served as positive role models. They have brought distinction, honor and excellence to Mohawk Area through academic, athletic and other community achievements.

In order for Alumni or honorary alumni to become members, the Hall of Fame Committee votes for each years’ nominees.

Ms. Pam Beatty

        Pam graduated from Mohawk High School in 1987.  While attending Mohawk, she was a four-year letterman in both basketball and track & field.  While playing basketball under Alberta Kelly, Pam joined the Lawrence County Girls’ 1000 point club.  She also held the javelin record at Mohawk and went to the state track meet for javelin in her senior year.  From the age of eight, throughout her high school career, Pam also played recreational softball.  Her team competed in local, district, and state championship tournaments.

        Following graduation, Pam attended Westminster College to pursue a degree in mathematics and secondary education.  She graduated in 1991 and later returned to complete her Masters of Education.  During her four years at Westminster, she also played on the women’s basketball and softball teams and was a four-year started on both teams.  She was selected to the All-Conference teams in both sports.

        In 1993, Pam returned to Mohawk as a math teacher.  She also began volunteering as an assistant girls’ basketball coach, leading into an assistant position in both basketball and track.  Mohawk began a club program in softball under Pam’s direction, becoming a sanctioned WPIAL team the following year.  The team successfully made Mohawk a competitor in WPIAL softball.

        Pam was named to the Westminster Sports Hall of Fame in 1996 and the Lawrence County Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

        Pam credits her family for her successful athletic career and work ethic.  Many former coaches and teachers have also influenced her life both academically and athletically, but the two who stand out the most are Alberta Kelly, her basketball coach and English teacher, and Ron Swanson, her sixth grade teacher, softball coach, and mentor.

Reverend Shawn Cossin

        Shawn is a 1989 graduate of Mohawk High School.  While attending Mohawk, he was involved in the band, choir, musicals, and track & field.  He served as class president for three years and was a member of the National Honor Society.  Shawn credits Jim McKim and Dave McClymonds as most influential teachers at Mohawk.

        Shawn attended Wheaton College in Illinois where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Education.  He earned a Master of Arts in Ministry [Ministerial Leadership] from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.  Upon graduating in 1993, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army where he served four years as a Military Police Officer.  After his active duty service, he worked in Christian camping as the Program Director of Seneca Hills Bible Conference.  In 1999, Shawn joined the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police and served as a State Trooper in various locations within the Commonwealth.  He retired early from the State Police to pursue a variety of leadership roles in church ministry.

        Shawn is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of a multi-site church network consisting of 2,500 members representing four campuses in Illinois and Iowa.

        Shawn has been married to Beth for over 24 years and they are the proud parents of two boys, Joshua and Daniel.  He has one brother, James, who graduated from Mohawk in 1987.  His father, Rev. Jim Cossin, Sr., and his wife, Joyce will accept this award on his behalf.

Dr. Sandra Rader

Sandra (Carna) Rader, DNP, MSA, RN, NEA-BC, is the Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, the flagship hospital of Pittsburgh-based UPMC.

Sandra serves as a visionary leader in the development and implementation of advanced and innovative models for the delivery of health care. Her guiding principles place the patient at the center of care delivery and emphasize collaboration among physicians, nurses, and other members of the care team. A strong advocate for nurses, Sandra prioritizes the philosophy of shared leadership to create quality patient care and a culture of excellence

While at Mohawk, Sandra was a cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club, Health Careers Club, Junior Class play, and Senior Class play.  She was also chosen as Lawrence County Junior Miss 2nd runner-up.  Following her graduation from Mohawk High School in 1979, Sandra earned her Nursing Diploma from Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She received her BSN at Purdue University, MSA at the University of Notre Dame, and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Chatham University.  She is Board Certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as Nurse Executive Advanced.

Sandra holds an academic appointment to the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing as an Adjunct Associate Professor. In addition, she received the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing 2015 Honorary Alumni Award.

In January 2006, Sandra became the CNO of UPMC Shadyside. In August 2016, her role was expanded to CNO and Vice President, Patient Care Services, for UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside.

Sandra leadership roles extend across UPMC, and she is actively involved as a leader with multiple professional nursing organizations. She has led the Academic Service Partnership Council, which includes nursing education professionals from throughout western Pennsylvania, and she has presented both regionally and nationally on the success of this council’s efforts to make continuing education and ongoing training an integral component of every nurse’s career.

Sandra is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Leaders, a member and past board member of the Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders, and former President of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Organization of Nurse Leaders.

Sandra is married to Matthew Rader and have two children:  Ashley and Christopher.  Her siblings are James Carna, Susan Kirkwood (twin), Sherry Andrews,  and Richard Carna (deceased).  Her parents are Tony and Jean Carna.

Mrs. Diana (Robertson) Richards

Diana graduated from Mohawk High School in 1962.  She then attended the New Castle Business College from 1962-1963.  Diana worked as a secretary at the Bessemer Cement Company from 1962-1968.  She was the co-owner of Richards Sweeper Center from 1976 to 1992.  Diana went on to Operations Manager for Forrest Vacuum from 1992 until 1994.

Diana founded Vacuum Systems, Inc. after a meeting with a retail clothing store chain.  She had observed the retail employees coming into the five stores she was managing with very minor repair issues.  The idea was formed that the employees could have repaired the problem with minor maintenance.  She acquired funding of $25,000, quit her job and lived part time in the warehouse starting with the 300 stores as her first client. The Program included Call Center Support and a Remanufacturing Program saving thousands of tons of equipment from being discarded into landfills.  At the time her company was sold in 2015, VSI was serving retail stores in 15 countries with The Vacuum Helpline Program.  It is today the only Commercial Vacuum Cleaner Remanufacturing facility in the world.  In 2015, Diana became the President of DRR International, LLC where is remains presently.

Diana’s awards and recognitions include:  Cleveland Crain’s Business Women of Note; VDTA Vacuum Cleaner Hall of Fame – only woman ever inducted that started a vacuum cleaner company; Entrepreneur of the Year – regional winner; National Association of Women Owned Business – Top Ten Business Women – Northeast Ohio – 3 time winner; numerous other recognitions during the 20 year career as Founder of Vacuum Systems International, Inc.

Diana credits Mr. Book, Mr. Lee, Mrs. Crawford, and Mr. Pezzuolo as influential teachers from Mohawk.

Diana’s family includes her children, Robert (Bobby) and Dawn.  Her siblings are Jim, Jack, and Phyllis Robertson.

Dr. Julie Rothbardt

Dr. Julie Grebenz Rothbardt is a 1989 graduate of Mohawk High School. She grew up with her parents, Stan (’63) and Patricia (’65, Colucci) Grebenz of Bessemer, and she has one sister, Beth (’92, Grebenz) Stefano of New Castle.  At Mohawk, Julie was active in many activities, including the Academic Decathlon, Academic Games, playing the clarinet in band, being a boys’ track statistician, a cheerleader, a member of the HighQ Academic Team, Lawrence County Junior Miss, and several of the musicals. She is most proud of her involvement in Student Council where she served as President, and in her founding of the school’s chapter of Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD).

While at Mohawk, Julie was named the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award recipient, the delegate for the United Nations International School Summit on Human Rights, a member of National Honor Society, the HighQ Scholarship recipient, and a presenter at both state and national conferences for student council. The most meaningful award to her was the American Legion Award, as her grandfather, Sam Colucci, was also a recipient of this recognition 50 years prior.

After her graduation from Mohawk, Julie graduated from Washington and Jefferson College, where she earned a B.A. in Chemistry with a Russian language emphasis. While at W&J, she was a Presidential scholar, named to the Dean’s list, a member of Pi Beta Phi, and President of student government. She went on to earn her MBA from the University of Iowa, and her Doctorate in Business Administration from St. Ambrose University, where her research focused on corporate social responsibility.

Julie’s career has taken her from working as a process and environmental engineer for Lafarge, a cement company, to manufacturing management with Case New Holland, to human resource management at John Deere World Headquarters. After earning her doctorate, Julie took a position as a Professor of Political Economy and Commerce with Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL. She also owns two companies with her husband, Greg, in the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities. She is a member of the Academy of Management and the Society of HR Management.

Julie continues to give back to her community. She has lobbied for early childhood education as the legislative liaison for Junior League, she has been on the marketing advisory board for United Way of the Quad Cities, a member of the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, a Junior Achievement classroom volunteer, the president of the Alumni Executive Council for Washington and Jefferson College, and the Alumnae Advisory Council for Monmouth College’s Pi Beta Phi Chapter. She has spent many, many hours over the last 10 years in the Pleasant Valley Community schools classrooms as a volunteer parent. She is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bettendorf, IA and Temple Emmanuel in Davenport, IA.  Julie lives in Bettendorf, IA with her husband of almost 19 years, Greg, and her three children: Samuel (15), George (14), and Caroline (10). She spends her time on the sidelines, in the stands, and in the audience watching her children play sports, sing, play in the band and orchestra, and perform on stage. When she is not watching them, she can usually be found driving them around to all their activities. She fondly remembers her parents doing this for her during her days at Mohawk, and she is happy to do the same for her kids.

Attorney Shawn Sensky

Shawn graduated from Mohawk High School in 1985 where he was nominated by his classmates as “Most Likely To Succeed” and dubbed “Mr. Intensity” by those who knew him well.  He was able to bench press 450# at the first annual Mohawk Life-A-Thon MANY years ago.  He played three years of varsity football under the coaching of Archie Donofrio who assisted in Shawn’s acceptance into Harvard University.

Shawn received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University with an A.B. in Economics in 1989 while he played football.  Shawn was a three-year letter winner while being a starter for the Harvard Crimson at offensive guard.  He was the recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Award during his senior year.  Voted on by players and coaches, this award exemplified his desire, determination, and willingness to work which made him a valuable asset and gained the respect of the team.

Mr. Sensky received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron Law School in 1994.  He has been licensed to practice law since 1994 before the PA Supreme Court, the Superior, Commonwealth, and Courts of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania and the United States District Court of Western PA.  Shawn was a law clerk for Senior Judge Roy A. Gardner and the Hon. Dominick Motto from August 1994 through March 1995 and served as an Assistant  District Attorney from 1999-2003 in the prosecution of criminal and drug cases in Lawrence County.  He has received numerous awards including Public Service Awards in 1997, 2003, and 2006 from the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas and the Lawrence County Bar Association.  He has been a member of the Pennsylvania Bar since 1994 and has been given a very high rating as an attorney in both legal ability and ethical standards voted on by peers and clients by Martindale-Hubbell from 2008-2017.

Shawn and his family previously attended Bethel Evangelical Presbyterian Church from 2004-2014 serving on the session for three years.  He is now a member of New Life Baptist Church in New Wilmington, PA and serves at the New Life Bread Basket monthly and has been on several mission trips. He and his wife, Heidi, will be going to the Ukraine this summer to assist in global mission work through the church.  In his spare time, Shawn enjoys playing the guitar, banjo, ukulele, and harmonica and taking road trips with his family.  He is married to his high school sweetheart, Heidi J. (Schramko) Sensky, for the past 28 years and together have three adult children: Shane, Cassandra, and Megan.  All three are also Mohawk graduates.  One of Shawn’s life verses is: “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

Mr. David Trotter

Dave graduated from Mohawk in 1980.  While attending, he was involved in: FFA President and Treasurer, Square Dance Team, Parliamentary Procedure Team, Demonstration Team, Sr. Class Play, High School Musicals (Oklahoma & Camelot), and Travel Club.

After graduation from Penn State, Dave was employed with the PA Department of Agriculture, where he was honored with Outstanding Employee of the Year.  Dave retired after 28 years.  He served as Quality Control Director for a local cheese plant and is currently the Business Manager for the PA Guernsey Breeder’s Association, while at the same time continues working in our family partnership and LLC, Trotacre Farm.  Dave served as a local 4H leader for over 30 years.  He has been on several advisory boards, and is currently the President of the American Guernsey Association.  Dave also assumed the duties of the Executive Director for the Association.  He is an accomplished dairy cattle judge, which include four National Shows and two International (Canada and the UK).  Dave is the current President of the World Guernsey Cattle Federation and attended the last meeting in New Zealand.  The 2019 Conference will take place in the USA.

The family farm (which Dave is third generation) has the honor of having the World Record for milk produced in one year for a Guernsey cow. With brother, nephews, children, and help from the community, he hopes that the family can sustain the farm for more generations and continue farming in the Mohawk District.

Dave has a wonderful family which includes: wife (Jill), children (Abby, Bethany, Cara, and Jamie), parents (Jim & Mary Lou), in-laws (Joe & Bev Snyder), and siblings (Debbie & Dave Liggett, Bob Trotter, Jolene & Rick Kroll, and Scott & Tish Snyder).  He feels very blessed.  Dave attends Worship at Westfield Presbyterian Church and his family is active there.  He has served as Elder and Trustee over the years.

Mr. Vince Tutino

Vince Tutino, the son of Frank (“Cheech”) and Inez Tutino, was born and proudly raised in Hillsville alongside his sisters Tressa and Diane. Vince had a humble upbringing where family, faith, and strong work ethic were at the core. His childhood was spent surrounded by extended family, laying block with his father and serving as an altar boy at St. Lawrence Church. In fact, Vince served mass every weekday morning before attending school at Mohawk.

While at Mohawk, Vince participated in the class plays, was a member of the totem staff and touchdown club, served as Student Council President and lettered in baseball and football. For his successful efforts as a Warrior on the football field, Vince was named to the 500 Club, 15L Team All County (Jr., Sr.), 1st Team All WPIAL (Jr.), 2nd Team All WPIAL (Sr.), Honorable Mention WPIAL (Jr.), Honorable Mention PIAA (Jr.), and Big 33 Checklist (Sr.). Throughout school and all his activities, Vince managed to work full time with B&L Paving. He also began dating his high school sweetheart and future wife, Malissa Burkey, prior to graduating in 1972.

Vince went on to earn a full scholarship to play football at Westminster College, where he lettered as an outside linebacker. Vince was instrumental in helping the team post some of the most successful records in Titan history.  Vince majored in accounting and continued to work at B&L Paving and interned with Marshall Resetti Accounting firm. Upon graduation in 1976, Vince opened an accounting practice and garbage business in downtown Youngstown.

In 1978, Vince and Malissa were married and in 1979 started Lindy Paving, Inc.  Under Vince’s leadership, Lindy Paving started PNM trucking and Neville Terminal Services, acquired SealMaster of Hillsville, Gulisek Construction, Three Rivers Aggreate, StateLine Paving and Castle Builders Supply.

Lindy Paving is recognized as the largest asphalt paving and manufacturing outfit in western Pennsylvania and has been the recipient of many construction awards. The most prestigious being the national Sheldon G. Hayes Award. This award is bestowed upon the contractor of the best highway-paving project in the United States as selected by the National Asphalt Paving Association. In 2009, Lindy Paving became the first company in the nation to be a three-time Sheldon G. Hayes Award winner.

Vince has served on boards for various companies and associations. Most currently, serving as a trustee for the local 1058 laborer’s union and as president of the Pennsylvania Asphalt Paving Association.

Both personally and professionally, Vince is a mentor and philanthropist, employing over 600 people and donating and participating in various charities. He is the proud father of Alyssa Harcar and Mia Mitchell and the proud grandfather to Zoey, Sydney, Mauro and Martino.

Mr. Arnot E. Walker

Arnot Walker graduated from Mohawk in 1972.  While attending, he was involved in: A.V. Staff, Library Staff (President), and Stage Crew.

Arnot became a press rep for ABC News’ “World News Tonight” and anchor Peter Jennings.  He passed away on September 28, 1998 in New York from complications of pneumonia. He was 44.

Jennings said: “It is hard to imagine this office without him. He was bigger than life, with a sense of humor to match. He lit up every room he entered. Over the eight years he and I worked so closely together, I came to rely on his impeccable judgment, but more importantly on his friendship.”

Born in New Galilee, Pennsylvania, Arnot attended Greensboro College in North Carolina and soon thereafter began his career in politics. He worked on the 1976 congressional campaign of Bella Abzug, and was later a part of the White House advance team for Carter-Mondale from 1979-1980.

Arnot also worked on the political campaigns of Geraldine Ferraro, Jim Florio, and senators Frank Lautenberg and John Glenn. Prior to joining ABC News in 1990, Walker worked as a special assistant to NYU president Dr. John Brademas.

Mrs. Patty Ealy Withers

Patty graduated from Mohawk in 1975.  During her years at Mohawk, she lettered in basketball after playing for three years.  She was a track manager for one year.  Patty was involved in F.F.A.  She named Miss Kelly and Mr. Jones as influential teachers/coaches in her life.

In 1991-2000, Patty was a Customer Service Manager at Woodmere China, Inc. in New Castle, PA.  In 1998, she was an invited guest by the President and Presidential Inaugural Committee to the White House .  She was project manager for President Clinton’s Inaugural dinnerware.

Patty moved on in 2001-2014 as Customer Service Director in East Palestine, OH.  She became the SNAP Coordinator for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank from 2010-2014 where she assisted individuals who were food insecure, helping to find programs through local food banks and the Department of Welfare.

Patty moved on in 2014 through present day as Customer Service Director for Cirm Custom Decorating in East Palestine, OH.

From 1992 until 2014, Patty and her husband had the privilege of being foster parents to approximately 120 boys.  Through being foster parents, they also had the opportunity to adopt their two youngest sons.  They retired in 2014 but there are many days where they miss the children and the very loud house.  The two organizations they worked with are Community Alternatives and Lawrence County Children & Youth.  A local TV station chose them to part of a series on foster parenting/foster children.  They took the opportunity to discuss what a blessing it was to provide a safe home and love.

Along with her husband (Charles Sr.), they have seven children (Charles, Jr., Nita Withers Wallace, Jeremiah, James, Samuel, Justin, and Corey).  Patty has nine siblings.