Penn State Scranton welcomed 140 new alumni into the Penn State pride at its 57th commencement ceremony on Saturday.
Regional Chancellor Elizabeth J. Wright, Ph.D., presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple in Scranton.
Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti was commencement speaker; Fred Aebli, lecturer in information sciences and technology, served as faculty marshal.
Faculty Senate Chair Megan Van Etten, Ph.D., associate professor of biology and program coordinator for the biology and integrative science programs, gave the invocation. Penn State Trustee Matthew McGloin, as approved by the university’s board of trustees, authorized Wright to confer the degrees on this year’s graduates.
In her remarks, Wright commended the class of 2025 for all they have accomplished on their journey.
“Graduates, we gather today to celebrate the attainment of your degree. That is an amazing accomplishment, one that you should be celebrated for. We are grateful to you for the way you have anchored yourself to this community; for the powerful lessons you have taught us about community and kindness, care and concern for others. And you’ve done all of this while balancing many roles: You are siblings, partners, spouses, parents and caregivers. You are full- and part-time employees. You are volunteers and community advocates … adept at balancing multiple roles.
“May you take the courage, persistence, and resolve you have demonstrated while earning your degree and extend it into the life that comes ahead. May you walk a life that is long and filled with beauty knowing that all of us at Penn State are proud to have known you and wish you all the best in whatever lies next.”
Penn State Scranton’s student marshals — the students with the highest cumulative grade point average in each academic degree program.(COURTESY OF PENN STATE SCRANTON)
From left: Student Government Association President Gavan Quimby, Northeast Regional Chancellor Elizabeth Wright, and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti at Penn State Scranton’s commencement on Saturday, May 10. (COURTESY OF PENN STATE SCRANTON)
Northeast Regional Chancellor Elizabeth Wright giving opening remarks at Penn State Scranton’s commencement on Saturday, May 10. (COURTESY OF PENN STATE SCRANTON)
Student Government Association President Gavan Quimby also addressed the graduates.
“Class of 2025, your legacy is one of engagement, leadership and resilience. You have embraced opportunities, uplifted your peers, and made a lasting difference. As you step into the next chapter of your journey, carry that same passion and drive with you — because the world needs leaders just like you! Congratulations once again, and thank you for making this campus a better place for all who walk through its halls. The future is yours to lead, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll accomplish next.”
Penn State Scranton Alumni Society Vice President Rachel Burnis gave the alumni charge to the new Penn State alumni and welcomed them into the Penn State Alumni Association, to which all new graduates receive a free one-year membership.
Penn State Scranton granted degrees in biology, business, business administration, computer engineering, computer science, corporate communication, English, finance, human development and family studies, information sciences and technology, information technology, mechanical engineering, multidisciplinary studies, nursing, political science, project and supply chain management, and psychology.
Several students graduated with honors of distinction.
Graduating Summa Cum Laude: Michael DeWolfe, Zackery Gray, Logan Hyler, Nicholas Lowe, Elizabeth Morris, Sarah Mueller and Halle O’Neil.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude: Evan Bannon, Rhiannon Depew and Brandon Shotto.
Graduating Cum Laude: Zachary Hensel, Kylie Lynch, Peter Macdonough, Sam Odeh, Deep Patel, Melina Petrini and Jessica Reed.
Recognition of graduates with Military Service: Catherine Barbosa, Kara Bourque, Dalton Buckman and Katie Killian.
The Penn State Scranton 2025 local graduates are:
Bachelor of Science in Biology: Raphael Carvalho, Scranton; Kathleen Cunningham, Scranton; Deasia Hoop, Cresco; Connor Kresge, Newfoundland; Puja Patel, Harveys Lake; Victoria Petrosky, Archbald; Brandon Shotto, Dunmore; and Cameron Zynel, Drums.
Bachelor of Science in Business: Samuel Borgacci, Dickson City; Zachary Chludzinski, Elmhurst Twp.; Michael DeWolfe, Scranton; Jermin Gilbert, Scranton; Christopher Hobbie, Clarks Summit; Celeste Juarez, Scranton; Evan Kerrigan, Old Forge; Ryan Kretschmer, Honesdale; Kylie Lynch, Avoca; Sabrina McFadden, Long Pond; Matthew McNichols, Scranton; Santino Medico, South Abington Twp.; Anthony Mellado, Jessup; Tejas Patel, Scranton; Christian Reece, Olyphant; Patrick Ryder, Dunmore; Josephine Sesay, Dunmore; David Stoshick, Pittston Twp.; Vincent Talluto, Olyphant; and Jordan Wasilchak, Jessup.
Associate of Science in Business Administration: Aaron Olecki, Dunmore; Ashlyn Pena, Pittston; and Kyle Zuvic, Lakeville.
Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication: Sophia Birtel, Blakely, and Matthew Reyes, Scranton.
Bachelor of Arts in English: Elizabeth Alin, Mount Pocono; Evan Bannon, Scranton; Taylor Belknap, Jefferson Twp.; Ariel Keener, Milford; Nicholas Lowe, Clarks Summit; River Moon, Scranton; Halle O’Neil, Ransom Twp.; and Tijana Vujasinovic, Scranton.
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies: Gabriella Bruford, Lakewood; Wersverlie Compere, Dalton; Emily Hallman, Wind Gap; Jazmine Hamilton, Moosic; Emily Kizer, Dunmore; Taylor Merrigan, Taylor; Jessica Reed, Factoryville; and Sadie Stevens, South Abington Twp.
Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology: Jared Fetcho, Jessup; Yuriy Kazysta, Taylor; Jennifer O’Connor, Albrightsville; Deep Patel, Scranton; and Dhavalkumar Patel, Scranton.
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: Thomas Bulford, Old Forge; Jacob Kalinowski, Dunmore; Hunter Kmett, Scranton; Noah Lis, Pittston; Dev Patel, Mountain Top; Om Patel, Moosic; Tirth Patel, Scranton; and Justin Sterling, Mountain Top.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering: Alek Brown, Effort; Matthew Brown, Hawley; Dalton Buckman, Lake Ariel; Paul Carey III, Moosic; Hunter Gebert, Lake Ariel; Zackery Gray, Scranton; Logan Hyler, Dunmore; Jarod Kiraly, Madison Twp.; James LaBelle, Clarks Green; Bryan Lantzy, Jenkins Twp.; Robert Lauer Jr., Shavertown; Peter Macdonough, Greentown; David McKenney, Scott Twp.; Kylen Moni, West Hazleton; David O’Connell, Noxen; Jacob Onda, Chester Springs; Om Patel, Scranton; Jeremiah Pauler, Scranton; Randall Percival, Tunkhannock; Matthew Stone, Moscow; and Amanda Winter, Harveys Lake.
Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies: Marcus Delesline, Scranton; Zachary Hensel, Gouldsboro; and Justin Holgash, Brackney.
Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies: Mary Benitez, Jermyn, and Matheus Kaminski, Moosic.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Holly Bidwell, Center Valley; Ally Bresnahan, Forty Fort; Briana Dawkins, Tobyhanna; John Evans Jr., Blakely; Chloe Ferrin, Tobyhanna; Brianna Graff, Plains Twp.; Solei Lasanta, East Stroudsburg; Darla Lattimer, Carbondale; Fagr Mahana, Scranton; Olivia Maikranz, Taylor; Sarah Marble, New Milford; Alyssa Miller, Greentown; Aayushi Patel, Scranton; Samantha Sashko, Clarks Summit; Makayla Seeram, Blakeslee; Lauren Sharpe, Blakely; Skye Smith, State College; David Spalding, Dunmore; Alexis Tanana, Archbald; Alexandra Wardach, Clarks Summit; and Jemya Wilson, Tobyhanna.
Bachelor of Science in Project and Supply Chain Management: Ava Angeloni, Archbald; Joshua Davitt, Archbald; and Amanda Delhagen, Moscow.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Owen Brown, Nanticoke; Gianna Guerin, White Haven; Skylar Minichello, Jessup; Elizabeth Morris, Milford; Sarah Mueller, Roaring Brook Twp.; and Victoria Wardach, Clarks Summit.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Branden Berry, Greenfield Twp.; Kara Bourque, Scranton; Rhiannon Depew, Carbondale; Brianna Graff, Plains Twp.; Sarah Hankee, Clarks Summit; Shaughn Kennedy, Shickshinny; Sam Odeh, Blakeslee; Zyeir Olasewere, Jenkintown; Aayushi Patel, Scranton; Dhrumi Patel, Scranton; Melina Petrini, Covington Twp.; and Haily Serpico, Dunmore.
Intercollegiate Programs, Bachelor of Science in Business: Alexandra Mitchell, Moosic.
College of Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering: Jerome Cruciani, Lake Ariel.
College of Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering: Katie Killian, Tunkhannock.
Smeal College of Business, Bachelor of Science in Finance: Christopher Burnis, Forest City.
College of the Liberal Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: Burnis.
College of Health and Human Development, Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies: Kristina Jablonski, Milford; and Janel Smith, Peckville.