Penn State Scranton welcomes 140 new alumni into the Penn State pride

SCRANTON, Pa. — On Saturday, Penn State Scranton welcomed 140 new alumni into the Penn State pride at its 57th commencement ceremony. 

Regional Chancellor Elizabeth J. Wright presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple in downtown 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, associate professor of biology and program coordinator for the biology and integrative science programs, gave the invocation. 

Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti was commencement speaker and shared a few personal stories that focused on finding inspiration in unlikely places, following your own path and learning to laugh at yourself.

While working in a bank in Oregon during her summer break from college, a female customer came to her window, and she noticed that the woman had a Harvard student ID. "I blurted out, 'do you go to Harvard?', and she said, 'I do — and you can go there too.’ And I don't know why, but that stuck with me for years."

Eventually, Cognetti did go to Harvard Business School. "It's those things sometimes that you say to someone that are kind and confidence building that you don't even know will have an impact for those people,” she said. “So be open to that and also, pay it forward. You never know when someone is going to say that one thing that sticks with you."

She then shared how she met her future husband after stopping into a sandwich shop she hadn't visited before. 

"After a few times of me going in there for more sandwiches, we ended up starting a love story that I love to tell, because you never know when life is going to take you in another direction. Life is not linear,” she cautioned. “As you all graduate today, I'm sure your head is full of pathways and you're going to do this, this and the other thing. Maybe that will happen, but make sure you stay open to what opportunities present. Keep your heart and your mind open and don't stress about that linear path. As long as you work hard and stay open to opportunity, the right things will happen."

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."

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.

Commencement photos are available to view and download for free on Flickr.

Penn State Scranton also recorded the ceremony and it is available for viewing on the campus' YouTube channel.

Degrees and Honors Awarded

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 graduates by Penn State degree are:

Bachelor of Science in Biology:  Catherine Barbosa, Union, NJ; Raphael Carvalho, Scranton; Kathleen Cunningham, Scranton; Jason Daloul, Brooklyn, NY; Deasia Hoop, Cresco; Connor Kresge, Newfoundland; Puja Patel, Harvey’s Lake; Victoria Petrosky, Archbald; Brandon Shotto, Dunmore; and Cameron Zynel, Drums.

Bachelor of Science in Business:  Samuel Borgacci, Dickson City; Zachary Chludzinski, Elmhurst Township; Michael DeWolfe, Scranton; Jermin Gilbert, Scranton; Nelcys, Guzman, Flushing, NY; 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 Township; Anthony Mellado, Jessup; Tejas Patel, Scranton; Christian Reece, Olyphant; Macio Robinson, Paterson, NJ; Patrick Ryder, Dunmore; Josephine Sesay, Dunmore; David Stoshick, Pittston Township; Vincent Talluto, Olyphant; and Jordan Wasilchak, Jessup.

Associate of Science in Business Administration:  Aaron Olecki, Dunmore; Ashlyn Pena, Pittston; Jerry Surrency III, Vineland, NJ; Kyle Zuvic, Lakeville.

Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication:  Sophia Birtel, Blakely; Charisse Lamothe, New York, NY; and Matthew Reyes, Scranton.

Bachelor of Arts in English:  Elizabeth Alin, Mount Pocono; Evan Bannon, Scranton; Taylor Belknap, Jefferson Township; Ariel Keener, Milford; Nicholas Lowe, Clarks Summit; River Moon, Scranton; Halle O'Neil, Ransom Township; 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; Francesca Orellana, Henderson, NV; Jessica Reed, Factoryville; and Sadie Stevens, South Abington Township.

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 Township; James LaBelle, Clarks Green; Bryan Lantzy, Jenkins Township; Robert Lauer Jr., Shavertown; Peter Macdonough, Greentown; David McKenney, Scott Township; 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, Harvey’s 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; 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:  Drayton Belton, Utica, NY; Owen Brown, Nanticoke; Gianna Guerin, White Haven; Skylar Minichello, Jessup; Elizabeth Morris, Milford; Sarah Mueller, Roaring Brook Township; and Victoria Wardach, Clarks Summit.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology:  Branden Berry, Greenfield Township; Kara Bourque, Scranton; Rhiannon Depew, Carbondale; Jerika Disla, Bronx, NY; Adia Douglas, Brooklyn, NY; Brianna Graff, Plains; Sarah Hankee, Clarks Summit; Shaughn Kennedy, Shickshinny; Sam Odeh, Blakeslee; Zyeir Olasewere, Jenkintown; Aayushi Patel, Scranton; Dhrumi Patel, Scranton; Melina Petrini, Covington Township; 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: Christopher Burnis.

College of Health and Human Development, Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies:  Kristina Jablonski, Milford; and Janel Smith, Peckville.