Keystone College celebrated its 154th commencement on Saturday during a ceremony on the college’s campus in La Plume Twp. Degrees were conferred upon 219 students.
Los Angeles Angels minor league physical therapist and 2018 Keystone College alumnus Rolando J. Rodriguez offered the keynote address and was awarded an honorary degree from the college.
Keystone President John F. Pullo Sr. ’69 presided over the ceremony. Abril Coselino of Buenos Aires addressed her classmates as this year’s outstanding graduate. Pullo, Vicki A. Stanavitch, Ph.D. ’92, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, and Kirby K. Hickey ’62, chair of the board of trustees, presented the degrees and certificates to the graduates.
In his remarks, Pullo referenced the upward momentum of the college after the challenges of the past year.
“This last year has been all about resilience, and the preservation of a 157-year legacy that is rooted in serving those who place education at the center of transforming their lives and the lives of their families. I am incredibly grateful for the hard work of our dedicated faculty and staff who have persevered to get us here today,” Pullo said. “I am most grateful to all of our students who have stuck with us and are here today to celebrate their achievements and the accomplishment of completing their education at Keystone.”
As the first alum to serve as Keystone’s president, Pullo noted, “What I see here every day is truly inspiring, not only in the quality of work, but also in the devotion to our students by our faculty and staff. More importantly, I come to this job with the belief in the transformative power of education as the gamechanger that lifts all boats and levels the playing field for everyone.”
As he introduced Rodriguez, Pullo said, “Typically, Commencement addresses are given by someone who might be in the midpoint or second half of their career. But this year, we selected a successful young alum who has already accomplished so much but who is still at the beginning of his career. His story is not only reflective of this Keystone mission that I spoke of, but also of the value of and opportunities provided by American higher education.”
A native of Linden, New Jersey, and the son of Cuban and Colombian immigrants, Rodriguez is a first-generation American and first-generation college graduate. He finished in the top 20 of his Linden High School class while lettering in varsity soccer and baseball. He was recruited to play soccer at Keystone, but he also competed on the track and field team. Keystone’s affordability was a major factor in his decision to choose Keystone and pursue his dream of playing collegiate soccer while earning a degree.
Rodriguez graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. After graduating from Keystone, he earned a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Rutgers University. After earning his DPT, Rodriguez went on to serve as the international minor league physical therapist for the Baltimore Orioles, overseeing player rehabilitation in both English and Spanish in Florida and the Dominican Republic. In his current role, he supports both minor and major league players throughout their recovery and return-to-play process.
Rodriguez began his remarks by sharing his joy for the future of Keystone “because this school gave me and so many others our dream job, introduced us to our best friends, and provided some of the best memories of our lives.”
He went on to reflect on how his experiences as a student at Keystone benefited him.
“To set yourself apart as a small college is no easy task, and even with the odds stacked against us, Keystone outperforms, outmeasures and outpaces its competitors, because quite frankly — that’s the spirit of Keystone. Resilient. Never flashy, but always fighting. Underdogs. It’s easy to root for,” he said.
His remarks to the graduates included his central message, “Leave the place better than you found it — your workplace, your relationships, your community, even the energy you bring into a room. It’s a mindset. Be intentional. You will discover that things start to improve. Not just slowly, but at a faster rate.”
Prior to awarding degrees to this year’s graduates, Stanavitch and Hickey surprised Pullo with an honorary degree in recognition of his dedicated and tireless leadership during the past few years.
The following local students received degrees:
Master of Accountancy
Kimberly Michele Aukema, Montrose, and Anthony J. Harding, Scott Twp.
Master of Business Administration
Avenlea Nicole Bixby, Montrose; Kara Lee Cole, Sayre; Courtney Elizabeth Dwyer, Nicholson; Kelly Nicole Irwin, Saylorsburg; and Stephanie Pearl Smulek, South Abington Twp.
Master of Education
Rachelle Annette Medrano, Jefferson Twp., and Shelby Elizabeth Williams, Olyphant.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Luke Charles Cruver, Factoryville; Christy Lynn Davall, Tunkhannock; Emily Elizabeth Decker, Hop Bottom; Sean Edward Gallagher Sr., Scranton; Makiya Louise Masters, Clarks Summit; and Izaiah Daniel Gene Simon, Monroe Twp.
Master of Science in Sport Leadership Management
Kaylee Jade Beckage, Jermyn; John Paul Gorel, Carbondale; and Devinne Scott, Dickson City.
Master of Science in Wildlife Biology
Alyson Mae Grindall, Falls Twp.; Shanon Hornung, Waymart; and Tara Elizabeth Lydon, Jefferson Twp.
Bachelor of Arts
Kaisymari Acevedo Figueroa, Taylor; Griffin M. Atkinson, Forest City; Casey Rowan Best, Mayfield; Jillian Frances Brennan, Scranton; Eric Thomas Janiszewski, Tunkhannock; Kylie Danielle Markovitch, Scranton; Kristian Gabriel Milas, Dalton; and Hanaje Tseday-Kharysma Riley, East Stroudsburg.
Bachelor of Science
Filipe Azevedo, Clarks Summit; Sydney Elizabeth Barbini, Dalton; Rosselys Bare, West Hazleton; Tyler Michael Berkhimer, Dalton; Riley Mae Berry, Factoryville; Jacob Matthew Bohr, Carbondale; Tanner Benjamin Britton, Forest City; Michael Allan Buckwalter, Pocono Pines; Monika Buczek, Tobyhanna; Braelynn Carpenter, Avoca; Lisa Marie Charnichko-Urbanski, Hanover Twp.; Ashley Custard-Allen, Lake Ariel; Joshua David Darrin, Dickson City; Nathan Charles Darrow, Hop Bottom; Marissa A. Derrick, Susquehanna; Aneesa Ann Dickey, Scranton; Alexis Lynn DiGregorio, Old Forge; Anna Beth Domiano, Clarks Summit; Meaghan Teresa Drennan, Drums; Ashley Marie Dymond, Laceyville; Adam John Elvidge, Falls Twp.; Michael Joseph Farella, Saylorsburg; Jessica Lee Fassler, Montrose; Abigail Kathryn Fata, Dalton; Haley Marie Finkler, Tunkhannock; Celia Lynn Fortney, Factoryville; Quinton Daniel Frampton, Factoryville; David Brian Getz, Olyphant; N.J.; Teagan Elizabeth Grattan, Shickshinny; Alex J. Hackenberg, Scranton; Jacob Stephen Allan Hall, Troy; Cory Nicholas Halley, Lake Ariel; Elizabeth Jean Hamm, Forest City; Olivia Ann Hancock, Clarks Green; Angela Lynn Horan, Scranton; Aiden Hughes, West Pittston; Zachary Kalinoski, Throop; Ethan Marcin Kemmerer, Swoyersville; Dalten E. Klinges, Nicholson; Kayleigh E. Konek, Harvey’s Lake; Joshua Francis Kovaleski, Jermyn; Richard Pacelli Lardner III, Olyphant; Corey Zuko Kieran Machmer, Moscow; Zachary C. Manchak, Jessup; Isabela Grace Pereira Martin, Mount Pocono; Amber Mecca, Scranton; Brooke Leigh Mendegro, Shickshinny; Paige Elizabeth Miller, Clifford Twp.; Abbigale Kallyn Mingus, Monroe Twp.; Alex Moore, Scranton; Kylie Jean Mosier, Lawton; Molly Elizabeth O’Malley, Clarks Summit; Morgan Taylor Organisciak, Montrose; Madison Laine Osborne, New Milford; Philip Raymond Page, Montrose; Xavier Joseph Parrick, Duryea; Samantha Gail Parry, Moscow; Robert Steven Piatt, Mayfield; Colleen Jessica Politowski, Scranton; Omar G. Prieto, Dickson City; Lexa M. Reed, Scranton; Lane Gregory Repsher, Tunkhannock; Damion James Rohan, Montrose; Corey Thomas Scochin, Scott Twp.; John James Shnipes, Eynon; Makayla Jade Sigafoos, Tunkhannock; Dillon Zackary Singer, Montrose; Rachel Erin Singer, Archbald; Yuna Song, South Abington Twp.; Sophia H. Stanish, Union Dale; Dawn Roxanne Stanley, Dalton; Brooke Marie Staple, Carbondale; Jamie Catherine Stine, Scranton; Sage Elizabeth Superko, Laceyville; Julianna Symons, Dunmore; Donald David Vozzi, Thornhurst Twp.; Hailey M. Warner, Hop Bottom; Brandon M. Way, Montrose; Haley Anne Welch, New Milford; Madeline Rae West, Monroe Twp.; Korrine Elizabeth White, Factoryville; Molly P. Williams, Honesdale; Alex Jonathon Young, Scranton; and Nicole AnnMarie Zuzzio, Archbald.
Associate in Science
Austin K. Fortney, Factoryville, and Jase Ronald Hughes, Factoryville.
Associate in Applied Science
Kelsi Grace Becker, Honesdale; Jesus M. Gonzalez, Scranton; Rachel Lynne Hollis, Simpson; Tempest Kramer, Hazle Twp.; Lauren Ashley Kuchinski, South Abington Twp.; Elizabeth Maria Lawless, Vandling; Emily Joy Louise Phillips, Susquehanna; Dulcema Colleen Priestner, Meshoppen; Kaylee Shane Sargent, Tioga; Keith Alliyanna Cyian Veneracion, Milford; and Shayne Marie Witko, Carbondale.