Ryan Fugate and Ryan Reber

Ryan Reber, who graduated on Friday with a B.S. degree in biology, and Ryan Fugate, a chemistry major, are headed to medical school in August.

Reber, a Pottstown, PA resident, two-time Andrew J. Rider Scholar and four-year member of the golf team, will attend the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, while Fugate, a three-year student, will attend UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson University.

Reber was accepted at seven medical schools, but views the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as "one of the best osteopathic schools in the country."

"I really felt prepared for my interviews," he said. "Dr. (Julie) Drawbridge and Dr. (Kelly) Bidle gave me mock interviews for each school. That personal attention really meant a lot." Not only did he single out Drs. Drawbridge and Bidle as biology faculty who have had a positive impact on him as a student, but also mentioned Dr. John Sheats of the chemistry department and Chet Dalgewicz, his golf coach, for their mentoring and support as well.

During the past two years, Reber has worked with Dr. Drawbridge on her research of developing embryos. He displayed his work on development of frog embryos in a poster session, which he co-authored with junior Amy Brostoski, during the traditional semester-ending display of science students' research last week. He also interned last semester with Dr. Sbat, a Pottstown physician, to gain more insight into the medical profession and observe the physician's work in a hospital setting.

Fugate, a Hamilton Township resident, received offers from ten medical schools and interviewed at three schools. He will attend UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson University on a Navy Medical Officer’s Scholarship.

A member of the U.S. Marine Corps for three years, Fugate will matriculate at UDMNJ without a bachelor's degree. He received an A.A. degree in chemistry from Mercer County Community College before transferring to Rider to major in chemistry last year. Following medical school and his residency, he will serve four years as a medical officer.

"The main reason I came to Rider was because of the good student-to-faculty ratio," Fugate said. "You get to know your professors and can work one-on-one with them. I think that is important."

He singled out Dr. Sheats as having a positive influence on him. "He brought me along to medical school open houses with other students. He also arranged to have me attend an organic chemistry symposium at Princeton University," he said.

Fugate also received a Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship to attend Rider. Phi Theta Kappa is the national honor society for two-year colleges.

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