CCS Students Receive Citations for Achievement

Rider’s College of Continuing Studies presented two graduating seniors with Citations for Achievement May 2 at the university-wide Awards Day ceremony.  The two were recognized for pursuit of education in the face of unusual difficulties or handicaps, their outstanding community service; professional achievements; and general overall ability.

Thomas D. Wilson

Wilson of Hopewell graduated this month with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with a concentration in social science. He transferred to Rider from Mercer County Community College in 2000. 
     A father of three, Wilson returned to college 10 years ago at the age of 46 when his youngest child was six years old. At that time, his wife, Carole, was just starting a nursing career. Wilson dedicated himself to his coursework and being a “stay-at-home” dad while his wife pursued her career goals. Looking back, Wilson describes the experience of returning to school to pursue a degree as a “culture shock.”   
     Prior to entering college, Wilson worked for 10 years as a chemical research technician at American Can Research in Princeton. While there, his team received a patent from the U.S. Patent Office for heat resistant paperboard. After the company closed, he took a job at the Department of Corrections (DOC), where he worked for 11 years as a corrections officer in a section of the facility occupied by maximum security prisoners. While at the DOC, Wilson received a commendation for his bravery.  Working at the DOC reaffirmed to him the importance of obtaining an education. Wilson wishes to purse a master’s degree in counseling at Rider.
     Despite his busy schedule, Wilson finds time to reach out to neighborhood senior citizens as a friend and handyman.

Kimberly Pietrak

Pietrak of Doylestown, PA, a computer information systems major, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  She attended Bucks County Community College and transferred to Rider in 1996.
     Pietrak has had to overcome personal challenges. She successfully fought drug addiction during adolescence.  To this day, she is drug-free.  In 1995, she was in a car accident and had to undergo cognitive retraining to reacquire and relearn skills.
     Over the years, Pietrak worked at Merrill Lynch in the payroll and software testing department, where she was recognized with two awards for her outstanding performance.  Currently, she is a senior quality assurance analyst at Educational Testing Service (ETS) and has received an award for her performance.
     In addition to her full-time job, Pietrak runs various businesses.  She and her husband, Michael Decher, operate and run a horse boarding facility, Autumn Breeze Acres, in Doylestown.  She also works as a web designer and is currently putting the final touches on an online equestrian product store.
     Pietrak volunteers for Border Collie Rescue, an organization which places Border Collies in loving homes. She also volunteers at the Dressage Horse Show in Devon, PA, which is a fundraiser for therapeutic horse back riding for children with disabilities. 

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