Vanessa Richards is one of more than 1,450 students eligible to graduate today at SUNY Oswego’s 147th Commencement.

Richards, a native of Moravia, is graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in meteorology. For almost a year, Richards has been working at WSTM Channel 3 as an intern and part-time meteorologist.

The soon-to-be SUNY Oswego grad is also engaged to a fellow meteorologist, SUNY Oswego alum and fellow employee, Matt Stevens. According to Richards, the couple met in the spring of 2006 during an air pollution class at the college. Stevens, a Jamestown native, graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2006 and went to West Virginia then to Elmira to work as a meteorologist.

Richards began her career in meteorology interning under Chris Brandolino at Channel 3 last summer after she completed the first-ever storm chasing class offered by SUNY Oswego. By August, Richards was filling in on the air and shortly after, she was offered a part-time job at the Syracuse station.

“That’s when I started working every single weekend which was crazy, but really good experience,” she said.

The show Richards is featured on is “Weekend Today in Central New York.”  She noted that she had to learn fast and other employees at the station did not treat her like a rookie. Richards said she has to do “everything the big guys do, forecast at 3 a.m. and go on the air at 6 (a.m.).”

Stevens and Richards became engaged in October and are planning for a September 2009 wedding. After Brandolino left Syracuse, Stevens took his spot at Channel 3 in April. Richards noted how rare it is to have a meteorology couple working at the same station. She said she knows of only one other couple working together in Boston.

“I think they really like it,” Richards said about her bosses at the station regarding her engagement. “We announced it on the air.” She noted that often when the couple is out in public together people ask them about their engagement, mostly because it is on their bios on Channel 3’s Web site.

Richards plans on continuing working at WSTM after graduation, noting she is ahead of others graduates in the extremely competitive field. She also said she is planning to stay in the Syracuse area and may eventually pursue a master’s degree in broadcasting.

“I love Channel 3,” Richards said about her experience at the station. “It’s been awesome. My professors have been able to watch.” She noted the channel’s viewing area not only encompasses the college but her family has been able to watch her grow on TV as well. She described this as both a stressful and enjoyable experience.

The ceremony held for graduates from the School of Business and School of Education will be held at 9 a.m. at the Campus Center arena and convocation hall. Those graduating from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the new School of Communication, Media and the Arts will receive their degrees during the 1:30 p.m. ceremony.