In less than a decade, Will Osae ’19 went from graduating high school in Ghana to starting a residency in emergency medicine at Duke University Health System in North Carolina. The life experience that stitched those two milestones together included a lot of courage, hard work and passion, not to mention the support of friends and teachers at Roanoke College.
When Osae moved to the U.S. at age 18 to live with a relative in Maryland, he’d never heard of Roanoke College. After applying, being accepted and securing a scholarship, Osae, the youngest of eight siblings, arrived on campus for his freshman year having never seen the campus in person before.
“Thankfully, I found high-quality friends, some of whom also wanted to go to med school,” he said. “They were a good influence in terms of social life, academics and pushing me to reach my potential.”
At Roanoke, Osae majored in chemistry, participated in the Health Professions Advising Group, volunteered and did job shadowing at both Lewis Gale and Carilion health systems. For all four years, he conducted laboratory research with Professor Cathy Sarisky, whom he considers a mentor. He also credits Biology Professor DorothyBelle Poli and Associate Professor Shannon Anderson, director of strategic health initiatives, with helping him excel at Roanoke.
“Dr. Poli was extremely influential. She took me under her wing and was essentially a mother to me at Roanoke College,” he said. “Dr. Shannon Anderson was also very pivotal in my development. I took a number of classes with her, and she always encouraged me to believe in myself. She saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself as a freshman.”
Osae said that having extensive research on his curriculum vitae was a “huge bonus” when it came time to apply for med school. He was accepted at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, beginning just after graduation from Roanoke and graduating in May 2023. He began his residency at Duke this summer.
“I’ve always known that what I ended up doing would involve science,” said Osae, who selected a science track at his high school in Ghana. “I see medicine as a good intersection between a science background and the desire to help people. I love the human component of it.”
Osae said he chose to practice emergency medicine because, unlike a specialty, it requires doctors to remain knowledgeable about all of the body’s systems.
“In the emergency room, you have to know everything because you don’t know what’s going to walk in the door,” he said. “And I have found that level of intellectual continual learning appealing because it challenges you to stay on your feet and keep learning.”
I see medicine as a good intersection between a science background and the desire to help people. I love the human component of it.
~ Dr. Will Osae '19
David Gritte ’06 has been promoted to assistant director of the Miami Field Office for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In that role, he will oversee approximately 60 ICE agents and support personnel throughout southwest Florida, including the Non-Detained Case Management Unit, Criminal Apprehension Program and Tampa Fugitive Operations Team. Gritte, who earned a degree in criminal justice at Roanoke, has held various positions at ICE during his 15-year career with the agency.
Jon Mason ’07, a lacrosse standout who was inducted into the Roanoke College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017, had his No. 11 jersey retired in a ceremony at the men’s lacrosse match-up during Alumni Weekend 2023.
Mason is the men's lacrosse program's all-time leader in points (282) and goals (247), which were both ODAC records at the time of his graduation. A three-time USILA All-American (2005/3rd, 2006/2nd, 2007/1st), Mason played a key role in three straight 15-win seasons, including back-to-back national semifinal appearances in 2005 and 2006. He was a four-time ODAC All-Tournament Team selection, the 2007 ODAC Player of the Year and a three-time First-Team All-ODAC selection. Following his senior season, he was named the Jack Trumbull Memorial Outstanding Attackman in the Nation in 2007.
In addition, Mason was named VaSID College Division State Player of the Year in 2007 and was a three-time VaSID All-State selection (2005-07). He was selected to play in the USILA North-South All-Star Game and was the Roanoke College Athletic Department Male Athlete of the Year in 2007.
Mason earned a degree in business administration at Roanoke College, where he was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. He went on to earn an MBA at Wilfrid Laurier University. He is the chief risk officer for the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada.
Kelly Fletcher ’09 has taken on a new role as senior scientist in technical commercialization excellence for Campbell Soup Company. In that position, she will be responsible for coordinating and executing research and development commercialization efforts in the company’s Snacks Division, which includes commercializing all snacks innovation and ensuring a smooth transition to the manufacturing process. Campbell’s Snacks Division produces such favorites as Pepperidge Farm cookies and Goldfish crackers, Snyder’s of Hanover, Lance, Cape Cod and more.
Fletcher holds a chemistry degree from Roanoke and a master’s in food science from North Carolina State University.
“I am so excited to represent Roanoke at Campbell's,” she said. “And please, if you have any students with an interest in food science, send them my way!”
Kate Clatterbuck ’22 finished as the fourth runner-up in the Miss Volunteer America competition on June 24.
Clatterbuck, who earned a degree in education profession studies at Roanoke College, was crowned Miss Virginia Volunteer in August 2022. The final round of the national scholarship competition was held in Jackson, Tennessee.
"We are incredibly proud of Kate's exceptional performance at Miss Volunteer America," Miss Virginia Volunteer Executive Director Vickie Runk wrote in a news release. "Her elegance, intelligence and unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on society has truly set her apart."
The Miss Virginia Volunteer organization recognizes young women who contribute to their communities in meaningful ways. Its mission is to educate and empower women across the state through events including workshops, volunteerism and pageants.
Clatterbuck, a native of Danville, Virginia, is currently teaching 6th grade English for Albemarle County Schools. She said she plans to use the $10,750 scholarship she won as Miss Virginia Volunteer to help pay for graduate school.
Do you have news to share with fellow Roanoke College alumni? Whether it's a career update or family news, we would love to hear from you! Please email us at rcmagazine@roanoke.edu.