HARRISBURG, Pa., April 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett announced that 131 men and women joined the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police following their graduation today from the State Police Academy in Hershey.

"In years to come, you will look back on this day as the moment you became something bigger than yourselves," Corbett said. "You join a force with more than a century of history. I salute your willingness to take on this calling. You are that part of government we want."

Corbett spoke at the ceremony, which was held at Central Dauphin High School.  Pennsylvania Superior Court President Judge Correale F. Stevens was the principal speaker and Commissioner Frank Noonan offered remarks. Cadet Mark J. Hydock, of Beaver Meadows, Carbon County, spoke on behalf of the cadet class.

Cadet Robert D. Richter Jr., of Holland, Bucks County, was named the outstanding cadet by his classmates and instructors, receiving the American Legion Award.

Also receiving awards were:

• Cadet Jeffrey A. Vitek, of Franklin, Venango County – Daniel F. Dunn High Scholastic Award;
• Cadet Gregory A. Murphy, of Corry, Erie County – Charles B. Gesford High Pistol Award;
• Cadet Aaron A. Davis, of Hershey, Dauphin County – Col. Paul J. Chylak Memorial Driver Proficiency Award; and
• Cadet Salvatore M. Alaimo Jr., of Pittston Township, Luzerne County – John K. Schafer Memorial Physical Fitness Award.

Major John W. Laufer III, director of the state police Bureau of Training and Education, supervised the training of the class, which was the 131^st class to graduate from the State Police Academy in Hershey since it opened in 1960.

The graduates have been assigned to stations within nine troop areas across the state and will report to their stations on April 11.

For more information, visit www.psp.state.pa.us or call 717-783-5556.

Media Contacts:

Jack J. Lewis or Lt. Myra A. Taylor, PSP; 717-783-5556

Janet Kelley, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

Editor's Note:  A list of graduates and their home towns, arranged by the location of their troop assignment, follows:

Troop E, Erie, Erie County

Tate M. Allison of Limestone, Clarion County

Justin R. Carman of Tarentum, Allegheny County

Jason L. Domenick of New Castle, Lawrence County

Robert V. Gambone Jr. of Meadville, Crawford County

Edwin J. Machacek of Waterford, Erie County

Scott C. McClain of Cochranton, Crawford County

Timothy J. McConnell of Hermitage, Mercer County

Gregory A. Murphy of Corry, Erie County

Vaughn R. Norbert of Rimersburg, Clarion County

Mark D. Olowin of Harborcreek, Erie County

Elijah L. Pardee of Erie, Erie County

Noelle K. Schad of Port Allegheny, McKean County

Stephen L. Shurgott of New Eagle, Washington County

Joshua G. White of Ridgway, Elk County

Troop F, Montoursville, Lycoming County

Johnathan B. Buynak of Muncy, Lycoming County

Trevor D. Danko of Philipsburg, Centre County

Daniel J. DeNucci of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County

Robert Evanchick of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County

Christine M. Fye of Mill Hall, Clinton County

Jonathan W. Houseknecht of Montoursville, Lycoming County

Michael G. Meko of Punxsutawney, Jefferson County

Aaron M. Messner of Munch, Lycoming County

Daniel J. Spath of Kingston, Luzerne County

Travis M. Trimbur of Chicora, Butler County

Bryan T. Uhl of Kersey, Elk County

Michael J. Zulkowski of Shenandoah, Schuylkill County

Troop G, Hollidaysburg, Blair County

Ryan C. Bickel of Morrisdale, Clearfield County

Jason I. Claar of Ebensburg, Cambria County

James D. Gority Jr. of Altoona, Blair County

Bradley C. Poole of Greensburg, Westmoreland County

Scott J. Wagner of Westover, Clearfield County

Troop H, Harrisburg, Dauphin County

Ty C. Ammerman of Snow Shoe, Centre County

Michael D. App of Kreamer, Snyder County

Gregory M. Bacher Jr. of Houtzdale, Clearfield County

Jeffrey A. Baney of Gettysburg, Adams County

Brent L. Boggess of Carlisle, Cumberland County

Michael F. Brooks of Red Lion, York County

Noah D. Bungard of Shippensburg, Cumberland County

Trisha A. Campbell of Newport, Perry County

Anthony S. Chomiszewski III of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Jonathan R. Confer of Danville, Montour County

Ruben D. DeLosSantos of Red Lion, York County

Chad B. Ehresman of Belleville, Mifflin County

Adam M. Fairchild of Berwick, Columbia County

Matthew R. Gray of West Decatur, Clearfield County

Justin W. Handlin of Greensburg, Westmoreland County

Quincy T. Heller-Dutrow of Chambersburg, Franklin County

Mateo E. Herrera of Finleyville, Washington County

Donald J. Hoffman of New Baltimore, Somerset County

Brian M. Hupe of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Ronald A. Jarvie of Elmora, Cambria County

Thomas J. Kapolka of Perryopolis, Fayette County

Thomas J. Karlo of Tarentum, Allegheny County

Travis S. Kauffman of Lebanon, Lebanon County

Glen W. Knudsen of Mount Gretna, Lebanon County

Joseph M. Lauricia of Jeannette, Westmoreland County

Clint R. Long of Middletown, Dauphin County

Matthew D. Long of Osterburg, Bedford County

Tobi M. Odom of Erie, Erie County

Marc D. Packrall of Fredericktown, Washington County

Shawn D. Panchik of Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County

Jon J. Paone of Throop, Lackawanna County

Mitchell R. Penrose of Hanover, York County

William R. Petras of North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County

Sean M. Polcha of Allison Park, Allegheny County

Keith A. Rudy of Jonestown, Lebanon County

Audra L. Schmidt of Sheppton, Schuylkill County

David W. Shero Jr. of Export, Westmoreland County

Jonathan J. Simmons of Carnegie, Allegheny County

Keith J. Sobecki of New Kensington, Westmoreland County

Jordan A. Starliper of Harrisburg, Dauphin County

Eric W. Stuby of Reynoldsville, Jefferson County

David A. Taylor II of Natrona Heights, Allegheny County

Michael J. Trotta of Exeter, Luzerne County

Anthony L. Vaccaro of Gibsonia, Allegheny County

Jeffrey A. Vitek of Franklin, Venango County

Kory A. Wardrop of Carlisle, Cumberland County

Jerry W. Zundel of West Mifflin, Allegheny County

Troop J, Lancaster, Lancaster County

Andi I. Avdulla of Lansdowne, Delaware County

Brian D. Borowicz of Olyphant, Lackawanna County

Chad T. Burgwald of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Gregory D. Butler of Broomall, Delaware County

Elizabeth R. Clatch of Drums, Luzerne County

Nicholas J. Cortese III of Hazle Township, Luzerne County

Suzanne E. Creelman of Honey Brook, Chester County

Aaron A. Davis of Hershey, Dauphin County

Joseph B. Dunsmore of Reading, Berks County

Waleska Gonzalez of Norristown, Montgomery County

Dennis M. Harding of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Justin M. Heisler of Walnutport, Northampton County

Andrew F. Helms of Drexel Hill, Delaware County

Travis K. Hill of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

James J. Hoban Jr. of Auburn, Schuylkill County

Marc S. Hunsberger of Wyomissing, Berks County

Thomas C. Keegan of Mayfield, Lackawanna County

Brian B. Kundick of Hawthorn, Clarion County

John P. Marsteller of Orefield, Lehigh County

Curtis L. Matthews of Canonsburg, Washington County

Samantha L. Minnucci of Ridley Park, Delaware County

Timothy J. O'Connor Jr. of West Chester, Chester County

Brian A. Olszewski of Millersville, Lancaster County

Anthony M. Reppert of Easton, Northampton County

Alan J. Zulick of Saint Clair, Schuylkill County

Troop K, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Sergio L. Colon of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

William J. Crowley III of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Derik W. Frymire of Yardley, Bucks County

Edmund R. Homa Jr. of Media, Delaware County

Christian M. Keller of Bethlehem, Northampton County

Jonathan C. Meister of Aldan, Delaware County

Michele L. Naab of Schwenksville, Montgomery County

George A. Near of Bethlehem, Lehigh County

Trenton Q. Odhner of Huntingdon Valley, Montgomery County

Justin D. Serratore of Folcroft, Delaware County

Saimir Shehu of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County

Troop L, Reading, Berks County

Vincent A. LaSelva Jr. of Pottsville, Schuylkill County

Troop M, Bethlehem, Northampton County

Salvatore M. Alaimo Jr. of Pittston Township, Luzerne County

Christopher J. Bohenek of Jessup, Lackawanna County

Scott D. Cabets of Archbald, Lackawanna County

Daniel Domanski of Easton, Northampton County

Robert E. Eck of Easton, Northampton County

Michael C. Felsman of Prompton, Wayne County

Thomas D. Geerlof of Portland, Northampton County

Brandon J. Horlacher of Hazleton, Luzerne County

Mark J. Hydock of Beaver Meadows, Carbon County

Robert D. Richter Jr. of Holland, Bucks County

Thomas Rummerfield of Dunmore, Lackawanna County

Christopher C.  Smith Jr. of Allentown, Lehigh County

Matthew J. Thom of Media, Delaware County

Matthew T. Villano of Easton, Northampton County

Thomas J. Zarcufsky of Shenandoah, Schuylkill County

Troop N, Hazleton, Luzerne County

Sean Munley of Dalton, Lackawanna County

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor