ALTOONA, Pa. — Penn State Altoona has announced the student marshals for fall 2025 commencement. Student marshals are chosen to represent their academic division at commencement based on outstanding academic achievement.
At Penn State Altoona, student marshals lead graduating students during the commencement procession. Penn State Altoona will hold its fall 2025 commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, in the Arena of the Adler Athletic Complex.
Below are testimonials from the two student marshals:
Clay McIlnay
Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Transferring to Penn State Altoona was both exciting and uncertain. I wasn’t sure how I would fit into a new environment or find my place within the education program. What I discovered, however, was a community of professors, mentors and peers who welcomed me with genuine care and encouragement. From the very beginning, my professors inspired me to grow not only as an educator but also as a person. They challenged me to think deeply, teach creatively and lead with compassion.
One of my most memorable moments occurred during my student teaching experience in kindergarten. A student was quietly studying a book in our classroom library when they suddenly looked up and shouted, “Mr. Mac, I can read!” That pure excitement and pride captured everything I love about teaching — the joy of growth, discovery and connection.
Through my classroom experiences and time in the field, I’ve come to truly understand what it means to make a difference in students’ lives. As I look ahead to my own classroom, I carry with me the lessons and relationships that have shaped my journey here. Thank you, Penn State Altoona, for helping me find confidence, purpose and a lifelong passion for teaching.
Mohamed Alkaabi
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Division of Engineering, Science and Technology
I am honored to serve as the student marshal for the Division of Engineering, Science, and Technology as I graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering. When I first arrived in the United States, everything around me felt unfamiliar. A new country, a new culture, and a new chapter can be overwhelming, but from the beginning, I was met with open arms. That sense of welcome allowed me to grow, explore and eventually find my place within this community.
I did not begin my journey with a lifelong fascination for gears or machines. I was unsure if mechanical engineering was the right path for me, but the mechanical engineering faculty helped change that. Their passion, guidance and belief in their students made me genuinely love the field. They encouraged me to think creatively and to build boldly, which culminated in one of my favorite experiences here: working with my senior design team to build a rocket. That project pushed me to apply everything I had learned while reminding me just how exciting it is to bring an idea to life. Through projects like this, my professors showed me how engineering connects imagination with reality and helped me look toward the future with confidence.
I am deeply grateful to my family and friends, whose encouragement has supported me through every challenge. Their faith in me has been a constant source of strength and motivation. To my classmates, thank you for sharing laughs, late-night study sessions, and memories that I will carry with me for life.
As we begin the next chapter, I hope we continue to build fearlessly and dream boldly. Our time here has prepared us not just to enter the world but to shape it. I am proud to graduate alongside you.