Ryan McCann graduated from Waynesburg University as a Political Science major in 2022. During his time on campus, McCann was a Stover Scholar and a member of the Student Senate and the Men’s Soccer team.
After graduating from Waynesburg, McCann attended and graduated from the Duquesne University School of Law. McCann is currently a Litigation Associate at the law firm of Babst, Calland, Clements, and Zomnir P.C.
Since graduation, McCann has had the opportunity to intern for Judge Michael J. Lucas of Washington County Court of Common Pleas; Judge Jeffery A. Deller of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania; and Judge David S. Cercone of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
McCann shared that the Stover Program prepared him for success.
“From the very beginning, we weren’t just memorizing facts or theories — we were asked to wrestle with difficult questions about justice, the rule of law, and the responsibilities of citizenship,” said McCann. “That kind of intellectual environment shaped the way I now approach legal study: not just as a technical discipline, but as a field grounded in moral reasoning and civic purpose.”
McCann emphasized the importance of debate among his fellow Stover Scholars.
The professors at Waynesburg are accomplished, accessible and deeply committed to mentoring students both intellectually and professionally. Few, if any institutions, can match the caliber of faculty that I had the privilege of learning from.
“One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the opportunity to regularly engage with peers who held very different perspectives,” said McCann. “We came from diverse backgrounds and often disagreed — but those disagreements were never dismissed. They were welcomed, explored and taken seriously. Learning how to navigate those conversations respectfully, and how to defend my own ideas without shutting out others, was invaluable preparation for the kind of dialogue and debate that defines law school.”
McCann added that the Stover Program stood out from every other experience he had at Waynesburg because it offered rare, firsthand exposure to influential figures in law, politics, and ethics. Over the course of the program, Scholars engage with prominent judges, theorists, and public officials who push them to broaden their thinking beyond academic study. He noted that these conversations opened his eyes to diverse legal viewpoints and professional opportunities he hadn’t previously imagined.
He also shared that a crucial part of his success at Waynesburg was the supportive faculty who surrounded him.
“The education provided by Waynesburg as a whole was second to none,” he said. “What sets Waynesburg University apart from any other institution is the faculty. The professors at Waynesburg are accomplished, accessible and deeply committed to mentoring students both intellectually and professionally. Few, if any institutions, can match the caliber of faculty that I had the privilege of learning from.”
Finally, McCann reflected on the impact of the Stover Program on not only his career, but on his life.
“Dr. Stratton always says, 'Onward and Upward.' Personally, the quote perfectly encapsulates the identity and mission of the program,” said McCann. “The Stover program - and life in general - is about a commitment to constant growth, forward momentum, and the pursuit of higher ideals. 'Onward and Upward' is not just a phrase, but is instead a command and a direction that I continue to follow both in my education, my career and my life.”
About the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership
Waynesburg University's Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership is an interdisciplinary scholarly center dedicated to bringing insights from the U.S. Constitution's Founding Era and from Christianity to bear in the contemporary public square, with the ultimate goal of creatively transforming the ethical state of the polis.
About Bachelors of Political Science Program
We train students in political science as part of an interdisciplinary major in social science to help them prepare for future careers in business, education, government, journalism, law, and politics. You’ll make valuable career connections outside the classroom, too, as you seek practical experiences or internships for credit in government organizations, social service agencies, or other appropriate public or private agencies.
About Waynesburg University
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
