Local People
- Last Updated on Thursday, 01 August 2013 04:57
More than 300 students smiled as they walked on stage May 11 at Saint Vincent College’s 167th annual commencement ceremony to receive their diplomas. But no one had a bigger smile than Christie Cyktor, a senior biochemistry major from West Newton, who actually didn't walk at all.
 Christie Cyktor
|
Cyktor, who has been physically challenged with Arthrogryposis, a condition which has severely weakened her joints and muscles since she was born, has smiled through that affliction all of her young life and just about any other challenge fate has thrown at her during the past four years. An electric wheelchair is her shining carriage that zips her quickly around campus. On graduation day, she rode it up to the elevated stage via a specially constructed ramp accompanied by the enthusiastic cheers and applause of her family and friends.
Very close to her family, she said her hope is that her success will be seen as a tribute to her late parents. “My older sister, Kari, my brother, Josh, my twin sister, Jennifer, and my brother-in-law, Anthony, will all be there to share the day with me,” she said. Her mother, Lori, died with cancer just two weeks before her sophomore year and her father, Jeff, died of a heart attack a year later.
Inspired by the loss of her mother, Cyktor started a chapter of Colleges Against Cancer on the Saint Vincent campus to raise funds to fight cancer. “I like to think that I got her fighting spirit and I try to carry that on all the time,” Cyktor said. “My roommate, Caitlin Sawyer, and I started the group to do a Relay for Life on campus,” she explained. “The students really enjoy it and it has been very successful in raising much needed funds for research. We have raised nearly $40,000 to date. It’s definitely gone very well. I am sad to let it go but happy that it will continue in future years.”
She was anxious to graduate so she can begin preparing for her next challenge – pursuing graduate study toward a master’s degree in forensic science at West Virginia University. She celebrated her acceptance to the competitive program when she received a letter of acceptance on April 17. “I have been interested in a career in forensic science since I was in high school,” she related. “I decided to study biochemistry at Saint Vincent because I think it is fascinating to analyze hair, blood and DNA to provide evidence to solve crimes.”
Cyktor’s high school chemistry teacher, Dana Newlin, a 2000 graduate of Saint Vincent College, encouraged her to consider studying at the Boyer School of Natural Sciences at Saint Vincent. When she visited campus, she met Dr. Bruce Bethke and Dr. Matthew Fisher and sat in on a couple chemistry classes including one taught by Dr. Jason Vohs. When the class was over, she asked for directions back to the admission office. “He personally walked me back and talked about my interest in chemistry. I immediately felt comfortable and knew that I could count on everyone to work with me. Other students have been very helpful and supportive. It has worked out very well,” she said.
As a biochemistry major, Cyktor spent most of her time at classes and laboratories in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion. “Even though construction was underway during the past several years, I didn’t let a little mud, muck or rock slow me down. Saint Vincent has been great about making sure that I have a normal college experience.”
Very close to her family, she said her hope is that her success will be seen as a tribute to her late parents. “My older sister, Kari, my brother, Josh, my twin sister, Jennifer, and my brother-in-law, Anthony, will all be there to share the day with me,” she said. Her mother, Lori, died with cancer just two weeks before her sophomore year and her father, Jeff, died of a heart attack a year later.
Inspired by the loss of her mother, Cyktor started a chapter of Colleges Against Cancer on the Saint Vincent campus to raise funds to fight cancer. “I like to think that I got her fighting spirit and I try to carry that on all the time,” Cyktor said. “My roommate, Caitlin Sawyer, and I started the group to do a Relay for Life on campus,” she explained. “The students really enjoy it and it has been very successful in raising much needed funds for research. We have raised nearly $40,000 to date. It’s definitely gone very well. I am sad to let it go but happy that it will continue in future years.”
She was anxious to graduate so she can begin preparing for her next challenge – pursuing graduate study toward a master’s degree in forensic science at West Virginia University. She celebrated her acceptance to the competitive program when she received a letter of acceptance on April 17. “I have been interested in a career in forensic science since I was in high school,” she related. “I decided to study biochemistry at Saint Vincent because I think it is fascinating to analyze hair, blood and DNA to provide evidence to solve crimes.”
Cyktor’s high school chemistry teacher, Dana Newlin, a 2000 graduate of Saint Vincent College, encouraged her to consider studying at the Boyer School of Natural Sciences at Saint Vincent. When she visited campus, she met Dr. Bruce Bethke and Dr. Matthew Fisher and sat in on a couple chemistry classes including one taught by Dr. Jason Vohs. When the class was over, she asked for directions back to the admission office. “He personally walked me back and talked about my interest in chemistry. I immediately felt comfortable and knew that I could count on everyone to work with me. Other students have been very helpful and supportive. It has worked out very well,” she said.
As a biochemistry major, Cyktor spent most of her time at classes and laboratories in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion. “Even though construction was underway during the past several years, I didn’t let a little mud, muck or rock slow me down. Saint Vincent has been great about making sure that I have a normal college experience.”
