by Phil Blackwell
Back in May, Andrew Katko completed his senior year at SUNY-Cortland, and like hundreds of thousands of other college seniors, he did not get an opportunity to celebrate with his fellow students.
Yet Katko still earned his own graduation ceremony late last month, courtesy of the Nottingham Community in Jamesville, the assisted living facility where he had done so much important work throughout the winter and spring.
“I was completely shocked,” said Katko. “I had no idea. No one even hinted at it.”
The desire to help older people was instilled by Katko’s family. He said his mother’s work as an audiologist had an impact, as did helping his grandparents with various errands later in their lives.
After graduating from Westhill High School, Katko spent two years at Monroe Community College near Rochester. Transferring to SUNY-Cortland, Katko was originally a biology major but had counselors recommend that he go into therapeutic recreation, which he did.
All the while, Katko expanded his volunteer duties to college. While at SUNY-Cortland, he helped with Cortland Stars Special Olympics and was a camp leader at ARISE, a child and family center helping children with disabilities.
Starting his final college semester last January, Katko was assigned as an intern to the Nottingham, where he would volunteer and earn credits toward his degree.
When the outbreak of COVID-19 closed all colleges and universities in March, Katko found himself taking on larger roles at the Nottingham and eventually went from volunteer to employee, a 14-week internship evolving into a 40-hour-a-week job.
Katko said his duties expanded, assisting nurses, working at the dining facilities and setting up many FaceTime calls between residents and family members who could not visit with their loved ones due to state-mandated restrictions.
He did so much work, in fact, that when his classes were complete, Katko was unable to participate in SUNY-Cortland’s virtual graduation ceremony in May, nor pick up a cap and gown.
A month later, on Friday, June 19, Katko was scheduled to go to work at the Nottingham at 8:30, but was asked to come in a bit later, at 10 a.m., not knowing the celebration that was planned for him.
On a lawn just outside the main building, a podium was set up with a platform. Family members, including Katko’s parents, aunts and uncles, were on hand, as were fellow staff members and residents.
To top it off, an employee who also had gone to SUNY-Cortland had Katko wear his red cap and gown for the occasion, while residents awarded him an honorary degree.
Katko’s work continues as he plans to take his National Council for Therapeutic Recreation certification exam this month, in order to become a therapeutic recreation specialist.
He said that he has applied to continue to work at the Nottingham should he gain his certification, noting the strong relationships he has built there.
“I like the people, and they like me,” said Katko. “I would like to stay (and work) here.”
