Buckeye Career Center honors two alumni at annual banquet
May 14, 2014
433
The Buckeye Career Center Foundation presented awards to two Buckeye Career Center alumni at its 14th annual Recognition Banquet. The banquet was held Tuesday, May 2 at the Kent State University, Tuscarawas Performing Arts Center.
The Alumnus of the Year Award was presented to Eric Blackwell. Blackwell is a 1998 Graduate of the Truck Mechanics Program at the Buckeye Career Center. During his studies at Buckeye, Blackwell was under the instruction of William Tharp, from whom he received training in various aspects of truck and diesel mechanics. Following high school, Blackwell gained an entry level mechanics position at Tucson Inc. The first few years of field experience gave Blackwell wide exposure to the various responsibilities and importance of proper maintenance and upkeep on all types of mechanical equipment. After several years, Blackwell had an opportunity to continue his growth in a mechanics position with Ohio CAT.
Following this extensive, in-depth apprenticeship, Blackwell returned to Tucson Inc. as the lead mechanic. He is now responsible for coordinating and overseeing the work of the maintenance department along with handling both in-house and field required repairs and maintenance of all heavy equipment in the fleet. In addition, Blackwell is responsible for the computerized maintenance logs and tracking, as required by all regulatory agencies.
Blackwell has enjoyed a 14-year career with Tucson Inc., working in his desired field of study. Blacwell lives in Sherrodsville with his wife Alica, daughter Hannah and son Pacey.
The Alumnus of the Year-Previous Scholarship Recipient Award was presented to Danielle (Rufenacht) Goedel. Goedel graduated from New Philadelphia High School and Buckeye Career Center in 2000. While at Buckeye, she was enrolled in the Diversified Health Occupation Program. After graduating, she attended Kent State Tuscarawas where she completed her associate degree in nursing in 2004.
While pursuing her nursing degree, Goedel worked at Union Hospital as a nursing assistant where she was employed since 1999. Since graduating, Goedel has continued her nursing career with Union Hospital as a registered nurse on the pediatric unit. As a pediatric nurse, Goedel has enhanced her pediatric nursing skills by certifying and recertifying in pediatric advanced life support. Goedel currently resides in Mineral City with her husband Rob and their children Bryce and Brynn.
Along with her busy family and nursing career, Goedel volunteers her time with Rainbow Connection of Tuscarawas County and the Cardio-Facio-Cutaneous Foundation. In the future, she will continue doing what she loves to do for the patients and their families on the pediatric unit and be a proud supporter of nonprofit organizations.
