Penn State Worthington Scranton conducted its 45th commencement on Friday during a ceremony in the campus's Multi-Purpose Building.
Chancellor Mary-Beth Krogh-Jespersen, Ph.D. presided. Maryla Scranton, Penn State Worthington Scranton alumna and advisory board president, delivered the commencement address.
Mrs. Scranton was introduced by Advisory Board Vice Chairman Dean Butler. Kathy Zielinski, campus alumni society president, offered the alumni charge to the new group of Penn State Worthington Scranton alumni.
Dr. H. Durell Johnson, associate director of academic affairs and an associate professor of Human Development and Family Studies, served as faculty marshal for the ceremony.
"On behalf of our entire campus community, I want to express how honored we are to be here tonight to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of these graduating students," said Dr. Krogh-Jespersen. "We wish these students, now Penn State University alumni, all the best as they leave here to pursue their future endeavors, and we take great pride and pleasure in knowing that we have provided them the tools they need to meet the career and academic challenges that await them."
During her commencement address, Mrs. Scranton said, "Life is about making choices. When you walk out that door tonight, you're going to have to make some very important choices. ⦠Now it's time to make the choice. Stay focused and go for it. Work very, very hard toward that goal and leave no stone unturned."
She also encouraged the students not to be afraid of failure.
"Fear will ruin your life; failure won't. Failure provides opportunity to learn. It's one of the best graduate schools you will ever attend," she said. "When you fail, which everyone does from time to time, pull yourself up and start again."
Baccalaureate degrees were granted in American studies; business; English; human development and family studies; information sciences and technology; letters, arts and sciences; nursing; science; and elementary and kindergarten education.
Associate degrees were awarded in building engineering technology; business administration; human development and family studies; information sciences and technology; letters, arts and sciences; and nursing.
Those graduating with highest distinction included: Nevin F. Balliet, Scranton; Christopher C. Hunt, Pocono Summit; Allison F. Miller, Greentown; Glenn R. Owens Sr., Taylor; and Amy C. Smith, Factoryville.
Katherine A. Dibello, Roaring Brook Twp.; and Kirsten I. Stevens, Forty-Fort, graduated with high distinction. Marykay J. Cirba, Scranton; Diana K. Kloss, Clifton Twp.; William T. Rosar, Jermyn; Kristy B. Snyder, Factoryville; and Bonita L. Urzen, Jessup, graduated with distinction.
Local graduates include:
Bachelor of Arts, American Studies
Richard J. Barnoski, Taylor; Maura J. Brazil, Scranton; Michael F. Mandarano, Scranton; Mark D. Matthews, Jr., Moosic; and Jeremy P. Spear, Clarks Summit.
Associate in Engineering Technology, Building Engineering Technology
Justin G. Vislocky, Peckville.
Associate in Science, Business Administration
Marykay J. Cirba, Scranton; Brad M. Cristiano, Old Forge; Robert J. Dorson, Greenfield Twp.; Craig M. Ellefsen, Dickson City; Sean M. Fluette, Scranton, Glenn R. Owens Sr., Taylor; and Manuel Uribe, Kingsley.
Bachelor of Science, Business
Michael J. Andrews III, Throop; Michael V. Baldauff, Dunmore; Brandon D. Berkosky, Dickson City; Carol A. Bestrycki, Scranton; Nusrat F. Bhuiyan, Old Forge; Christopher F. Burke, Scranton; Jeffrey C. Carpenetti, Scranton; Jonathan A. Ciuccoli, Scott Twp.; Walter T. Clark, Lake Ariel; Pasquale M. Cornacchia, Lakeville; Harry R. Curnow IV, Carbondale; Lindsey A. Drazba, Scranton; David C. Ecker, Dunmore; Ryan F. Ehnot, Dunmore; Stephanie L. Erb, Mayfield; Kevin A. Fabiano, Tannersville; Joseph J. Gibbons, Scranton; Travis A. Gill, Browndale; Alfred W. Gillette, Scranton; Joshua J. Grabowski, Scott Twp.; Tara R. Grabowski, Scott Twp.; Ryan W. Holleran, Susquehanna; Thomas J. Jones, Scott Twp.; Casey J. Judge, Taylor; Christopher A. Krouchick, Jr., Scranton; Lindsay Kuchinski, Moosic; Nicole M. Lynch, Greenfield Twp.; Meghann C. Lyons, Nicholson; Cody D. Moyle, Waymart; Oluyomi A. Ojo, Scranton; Rinal S. Patel, Scranton; Zalak D. Patel, Scranton; Matthew D. Patterson, Hughestown; Matthew D. Rader, Scranton; Kevin P. Rainey, Dunmore; Nichole A. Ryder, Scranton; Jinal M. Shah, Scranton; John H. Shultz, Jr., Dunmore; David L. Thomas, Scranton; Sarah E. Todary Michael, Scranton; Nicole K. Tokash, Scott Twp.; Amy J. Trochinsky, Peckville; Michael A. Viola III, Dunmore; Jonathan E. Washo, Clarks Summit; Jeffrey A. Williams, Scott Twp.; and Annastauszia T. Zaikowski, Scranton.
Bachelor of Arts, English
Megan B. Lucas, Scranton; and Lindsay N. Roth, Scranton.
Associate in Science, Human Development and Family Studies
Alicia K. Basalyga, Clarks Summit; and Helen R. Cobb-Shifler, Waymart.
Bachelor of Science, Human Development and Family Studies
Britt M. Ackerman, Lakeville; Jennifer L. Aniska, Taylor; Brittany M. Baker, Moosic; Heather J. Brayya, Carbondale; Diane C. Bridges, Jessup; Brittany L. Budzinski, Jefferson Twp.; Margaret A. Cadden, Scranton; Angela F. Capone, Dunmore; Breanna L. Cawley, Dunmore; Katherine A. Dibello, Roaring Brook Twp.; Arielle L. Fallas, Archbald; Geraldine Ferrer, Tobyhanna; Stephanie M. Ficarro, Susquehanna; Casey Grow, Clarks Green; Monica R. Hamilton, Gouldsboro; Jessica Ingersoll, Olyphant; Abigail A. Kakareka, Madisonville Twp.; Amanda A. Lilik, Dickson City; Colleen G. Loughney, Dunmore; James J. Lovallo, Scranton; Stephanie J. McLaughlin, Scranton; Joseph J. McTague, Scranton; Holly J. Morgan, Taylor; Kaitlin M. Munley, Scranton; Amy C. Smith, Factoryville; Kimberly B. Smith, Factoryville; Kirsten I. Stevens, Forty-Fort; Nicole F. Valenti, Jefferson Twp.; and Alyssa A. Washo, Scranton.
Associate in Science, Information Sciences and Technology
Chad M. Griffith, Dickson City; and Kristy B. Snyder, Factoryville.
Bachelor of Science, Information Sciences and Technology
Jonathon E. Bobola, South Abington Twp.; William D. Chimel, South Abington Twp.; Cody L. Cooper, Clarks Summit; Matthew J. Evans, Jessup; Matthew R. Gosselin, Old Forge; Christopher C. Hunt, Pocono Summit; Marcus R. LeDoux, Tobyhanna; Jonathan S. Mall, Simpson; Joseph C. Molnar, Nicholson; Christopher C. Pacheco, Swiftwater; Paul E. Propert II, Susquehanna; William T. Rosar, Jermyn; Dominic M. Serra, Moscow; Alicia Setzer, Roaring Brook Twp.; Vedish G. Shah, Scranton; Eryk Skowronski, Dickson City; Earl T. Sohns, Scranton; and James W. Watson, Jr., Throop.
Associate in Arts, Letters, Arts and Sciences
Fariha Abdul Quddus, Scranton; Brenda J. Antidormi, South Canaan; Alyssa N. Butler, Madison Twp.; Natasha E. Butler, Jefferson Twp.; Christopher R. Kern, Clarks Summit; Christina Munley, Scranton; Arpita A. Patel, Scranton; Angelia R. Petrillo, Scranton; Erin H. Walsh, Olyphant; and Robert J. Zenzal, Scott Twp.
Bachelor of Arts, Letters, Arts and Sciences
Nevin F. Balliet, Scranton; Viviana J. Barbitta, Hawley; Rachel S. Burnis, Forest City; Michael E. Fallo, Jefferson Twp.; Megan E. Harrington, Scranton; Stephen P. Pigga, Dunmore; and Amoriah L. Tremko, Taylor.
Associate in Science, Nursing
Edrees Abdul Latif, Scranton; Bhumika M. Amin, Scranton; Alyssa L. Antonio, Old Forge; Tara L. Bassi, Roaring Brook Twp.; Jennifer E. Carper, Clarks Summit; Amy M. Charnetski, Old Forge; Nicole A. Chrysler, Clarks Summit; Elisabeth A. Cohen, Clarks Summit; Marissa Curtin, Scranton; Megan M. Davis, Lake Ariel; Christina M. Eboli, Dunmore; Alyssa Marielle B. Fabi, Dunmore; Lea Ann Fallon, McAdoo; Julia V. Fox, Waymart; Lindsey M. Gorniak, Scranton; Amber M. Gurke, Archbald; Deborah A. Howie, Scranton; Joanne Huddy, Dickson City; Jordyn E. Kelly, Scranton; Ashley E. Krajewski, Throop; Kristen L. Lininger, Duryea; Kimberly C. Long, Madison Twp.; Sarah R. Loych, Clarks Summit; Allison F. Miller, Greentown; Rachael O. Okafor, Moosic; Ayu F. Parry, Scranton; Lilli M. Price, Old Forge; Brittany M. Renzini, Jessup; Richard J. Rudden, Archbald; Lynn M. Salvati, Hawley; Sarah E. Schweinsburg, Waymart; Brittany A. Seigle, Madison Twp.; London N. Seigle, Madison Twp.; Colleen Silva, Gouldsboro; Patricia A. Snodgrass, Throop; Bonita L. Urzen, Jessup; Stephanie A. Walsh, Moscow; Angeline N. Wauran, Scranton; Marian C. Wojnarowski, Mayfield; Kristin E. Woody, Taylor; Kelly E. Worozbyt, Dunmore; Elizabeth A. Ziegler, Scranton; and Lisa A. Zornow, Peckville.
Bachelor of Science, Nursing
Renee F. Blakiewicz, South Abington Twp.; Ashley L. Bortel, Dunmore; Rose Burti, Old Forge; Kathryn V. Celano, Archbald; Kelly B. Cooney, Scranton; Leslie M. Decker, Newfoundland; Allyson K. Favuzza, Madison Twp.; Michael D. Fowler, Jr., Scranton; Nicole A. Franceschelli, Avoca; Elizabeth A. Hoban, Old Forge; Melanie C. Keating, Dunmore; Allison E. Keeler, Scranton; Diana K. Kloss, Clifton Twp.; Kevin P. Kolodgie, Moosic; Christina M. MacDowell, Carbondale; Leah R. McCurdy, Wilkes-Barre; Michele Moskalczyk, Throop; Nicole A. Nahlen, Dunmore; Jane A. Osborn, Springville; Richard J. Robinson III, Scranton; Audrey S. Rocco, Throop; Sarahjean D. Seymour, Scranton; Mary J. Shillabeer, Falls; Dlaurie A. Siclari, Lake Ariel; Michael A. Stelma, South Abington Twp.; Nicole Stombaugh, Scott Twp.; Rebecca L. Strauss, Cumbola; Alexis A. Swencki, Lake Ariel; Alicia E. Tait-Novak, Scott Twp.; Amanda K. To, Scranton; and Justin J. Ware, Clifton.
Bachelor of Science
Christine H. Chicoski, Hawley.
Bachelor of Science, Elementary and Kindergarten Education
Michalena H. Rulis, Carbondale