The University of Scranton conferred more than 550 master’s and doctoral degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony Sunday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Twp. Graduates received master’s degrees in numerous disciplines, as well as Doctor of Philosophy degrees in accounting, Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees. Graduates must have completed their academic requirements in August and December of 2024 or January and May of 2025.
Graduates hailed from 34 states, including the Northeast United States and Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas. International graduates spanned Ghana, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, Uganda and the Cayman Islands.
Andrea Alexandra Navarro Montoya, of Albrightsville, who earned a Master of Business Administration degree in accounting, addressed the crowd on behalf of the class of 2025. Navarro Montoya spoke about leaving Peru seven years ago in hopes of finding and building a better future.
“At the beginning of my time here, there were moments when I questioned if I belonged — if I truly ‘fit in,’” Navarro Montoya said. “But that changed when I met some amazing people who I now proudly call my best friends, incredible professors who became mentors and staff who became like family. …
“Scranton has been more than just a university — it has been a home, a place where I have grown, learned and found a community that has supported me every step of the way.”
An archived recording of the ceremony is available online.
Local degree recipients include:
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Kylee Bushta, Archbald; Peter David L. Descallar, Scranton; Thomas Magdelinskas, Scranton; Tracy L. Murray, Mountain Top; Tommy Nguyen, Eynon; Dean A. Richards, Wilkes-Barre; Michael A. Rocco, Throop; Stephanie A. Russick, Avoca; Peter A. Sidari, West Pittston; and Ridge Spackman, Dickson City.
Doctor of Philosophy
Xiaobing Li, South Abington Twp.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Jessica R. Slocum, Scranton.
Master’s degree
Rishi Chowdary Alla, Scranton; Abubakah S. Amoo, Long Pond; Sun Hyang An, Scranton; Corey J. Anderson, Scranton; Gabrielle M. Andiario, Wyoming; Heena Anjum, Scranton; Sanjana Reddy Anupati, Scranton; Elizabeth Anzures, Scranton; Rami F. Ayad, Clarks Summit; Elisabeth A. Azarewicz, Shavertown; Sriya Bachimanchi, Scranton; Navya Nischala Bandi, Scranton; Jessica M. Barletta, South Abington Twp.; Nolan R. Bartley, Pittston; Norwell Brian C. Bautista, Scranton; Ashley A. Becker, Hanover Twp.; Jordan L. Bennett, Scranton; Nina M. Bowen, Carbondale; Sarah G. Boyle, Peckville; Alison Brodginski, Dallas; Luke S. Brunetti, Archbald; Nicole Buckman, Wyoming; Ashley C. Bunnell, Springville; Abigail L. Burge, Peckville; Stephanie M. Cardiello, Cresco; Lacey J. Carey, Noxen; Noemi Carreto, Scranton; Kyden Cash, Clarks Green; Lakshmiprasanna Challagundla, Scranton; Ashley Chavez, Wilkes-Barre; Julia E. Cicco, Scranton; Kristen M. Coffay, Wilkes-Barre; Julianna M. Crandle, Clarks Summit; Justin Crinella, Archbald; Brandon J. DaGrosa, Hazle Twp.; Abigail G. Davis, Scranton; Christopher E. DeManicor, Clifford Twp.; Cara L. DeSanto, Dunmore; William F. desRosiers, Dallas; Pravallika Dharanikota, Scranton; Priscilla M. Dommes, Avoca; Luke J. Durdach, Lake Ariel; Kaylee L. Evans, South Gibson; Rebecca E. Farrell, Clarks Summit; Mary Virginia Farrell, Scranton; Dana M. Fischer, Madison Twp.; Katherine P. Fraenza, Clarks Summit; Zachary D. Frisino, Clarks Green; John Randy Fullwood, Clarks Summit; Kara Furman, Exeter; Daniel J. Gendimenico, Hazle Twp.; Emma M. Gibson, South Abington Twp.; Alexia J. Gillette, Kresgeville; Shawnna M. Giumento, Greenfield Twp.; Kathryn B. Golosky, Greenfield Twp.; Paige Greenley, Tunkhannock; Gabrielle A. Grzymski, Shavertown; Nicholas J. Guerra, Scranton; Dominick Gulius, Bear Creek Twp.; Richard Gyansah-Tabiri, Nanticoke; Angela Gyetvai, Old Forge; Samuel J. Hannah, Dunmore; Kristen G. Hazen, Old Forge; Chelsea M. Hernandez, Scranton; Matthew J. Herne, Scranton; Kelcey Hill, Old Forge; Alexandra C. Hindelly, Roaring Brook Twp.; Evelyn E. Hosey, Noxen; Kyle B. Hromisin, Dallas; Lauren A. Humphrey, Scranton; Gayatri B. Jaiswal, Scranton; Allisa L. Jones, Dunmore; Lohith Kakolla, Scranton; Ian P. Keough, Madison Twp.; Arati Kishore, South Abington Twp.; Vinay Krishna Konjeti, Scranton; Cassandra D. Konopki, Hunlock Creek; Shashank Kotakonda, Shavertown; Richard A. Lopez, Clarks Summit; Sade Lugo, Blakely; Abigail R. Lynott, Dalton; Prasad Madineni, Scranton; Jacob P. Magdon, Jessup; Ryan Mangan, Scranton; Samantha M. Matamoros-Patrick, Archbald; James J. Mayeski, Jefferson Twp.; Mackenzie Colynn McCole, Nanticoke; John P. McDonough, Waverly Twp.; Liam D. Mead, Scranton; Todd F. Monahan, Moosic; Joselyn Mondragon, Ashley; Adam Motovidlak, Harveys Lake; Vanessa S. Moylan, Jefferson Twp.; Sai Balaji Nagireddy, Scranton; Chandu Naraparaju, Scranton; Lucia P. Nardelli, Scranton; Priya Darshini Narigapalli, Scranton; Peyton L. Neishman, Scranton; Winnie N. Ngare, Wilkes-Barre; Cuong D. Nguyen, Ashley; Divya Nimmala, Scranton; Taylor Oakes, Bear Creek Twp.; Grace A. Okrepkie, Scott Twp.; Lorena Pacheco Jimenez, Scranton; Harsh J. Patel, Dunmore; Deepkumar A. Patel, Scranton; Bansariben R. Patel, Scranton; Devang R. Patel, Scranton; Jimmish Patel, Scranton; Joseph C. Phillips, Wilkes-Barre; Vanessa C. Pinto, Jenkins Twp.; Aidan M. Plick, Scranton; William E. Poore, Milford; Joanne D. Quaglia, Duryea; Zahra Rajaeian, Edwardsville; Samantha J. Rajza, Plains Twp.; Yasmin Ramirez, Scranton; Courteney Reed, Mountain Top; Jessenia A. Robles, Stroudsburg; Mario T. Rotell, Archbald; Dominic Sabi, Honesdale; Maria Santarelli, Archbald; Ryan P. Savage, Olyphant; Beth A. Shimkus, Scranton; Palak Srivastava, Scranton; Rebecca A. Stankoski, Wilkes-Barre; Mackenzie C. Steele, Nicholson; Susan Su Stopper, Clarks Summit; Luke Sullivan, Mountain Top; Mark E. Symonds, South Abington Twp.; Janice E. Tellier, Scranton; Victoria M. Toomey, Dunmore; Anna H. Trently, Chinchilla; Ryan John Van Varick, Stroudsburg; Luis A. Vasquez, West Hazleton; Kathryn A. Voitik, Moscow; Kyle M. Walsh, Clarks Summit; Britney L. Walsh, Factoryville; Tricia Jones Watters, Scranton; Alaina G. Weston, Peckville; Mariah E. Yankowski, Archbald; Gina M. Yanni, Scranton; Lucas J. Yavorosky, Scranton; Sydney Youngblood, Moscow; Mia S. Zaloga, Moosic; and Tessa M. Zantowsky, Union Dale.
Tommy Nguyen, right, of Archbald, smiles as he receives a doctoral degree from the Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president of the University of Scranton, at the university’s graduate commencement ceremony Sunday, May 18, at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
Jessica R. Slocum, front, of Scranton, smiles as Renee M. Hakim, PT, Ph.D., professor, Department of Physical Therapy, places a doctoral hood on her as part of the University of Scranton’s graduate commencement Sunday, May 18, at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)