55th Commencement Ceremony at Penn State Scranton
Penn State Scranton welcomes over 175 new alumni into the pride.
Graduates include the campus’ first class of Mechanical Engineering degree candidates.
Scranton, Pa. -- On Saturday, Penn State Scranton welcomed 177 new alumni into the Penn State family at its 55th commencement ceremony.
Penn State Scranton Chancellor Marwan A. Wafa, Ph.D. presided over the ceremony, which was held at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple in downtown Scranton. State Representative Bridget Malloy Kosierowski was commencement speaker.
Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Parminder Parmar, Ph.D., served as faculty marshal and Madison Triacarico, an English graduate, received the Chancellor’s Scholar Award. Penn State Scranton Alumni Society President David Lucas gave the alumni charge to the new Penn State Alumni and welcomed then into the Penn State Alumni Association, to which all new graduates receive a free one-year membership.
“Today, we mark a momentous occasion in your lives -- your graduation from college. On behalf of the Penn State Scranton community, I want to congratulate you and let you know that we are all proud of you and all that you have accomplished,” Wafa said.
“I want to thank you for being a part of our campus community and for your contributions to Penn State Scranton. We wish you luck and success, today and always.”
Chancellor’s Scholar Award
He then presented Tricarico with the Chancellor’s Scholar Award, and she addressed her fellow graduates.
Penn State Scranton Chancellor Marwan A. Wafa, Ph.D. pictured with Madison Tricarico, an English graduate, who received the Chancellor’s Scholar Award and addressed the Class of 2023 at the 55th commencement ceremony at the Scranton Cultural Center in downtown Scranton on May 6, 2023.
Credit: Morgan Sewack
“All of us must go forth with our heads held high and our spirits intact, keep marching on, find those successes, work through the failures and continue on,” she advised.
“I was not an A student in high school, I worked as hard as I did for those C’s, as well as that one D, as I did all of the A’s and B’s I achieved. It was crushing at times, but I continued to march on, I continued to fight and work, and now I have the privilege to stand in front of all of you today and say just that. But I did not do this alone, and I encourage all of you to take a moment and think of those who pushed you, guided you and encouraged you through these past few years while I take a moment to offer a few more personal thank you’s.”
In a nod to some select Penn State Scranton faculty members with whom she worked closely, Tricarico offered her gratitude. “I would like to thank four individuals who have helped mold me not only into the student, but into the person that I am today. I have worked very closely with these four members of the Penn State faculty, they have played a significant role in my success, and I believe what I have learned from them will continue to guide me as I venture on to new endeavors. So, to Dr. Jody Griffith, Dr. Kelley Wagers, Professor Paul Perrone and Mrs. Jamie Mosher -- thank you for everything -- for listening, for supporting me and for talking me off a cliff from time to time. I could not have done this without you, and your guidance will forever be a part of who I am.”
Tricarico also extended her heartfelt thanks to her friends and family, whose guidance, she said, will forever be a part of who she is: her best friend, her brother Bobby; her mom, who she called her “lifeline,” and her father, whose love and support got her through the highs and lows she has faced over the years and who made hard sacrifices in order to give their family a better life.
Commencement Speaker
State Representative Bridget Malloy Kosierowski
In her address to the graduates, Kosierowski told them to continue to move forward, embrace challenges and opportunities, and be open to new possibilities.
State Representative Bridget Malloy Kosierowski was commencement speaker at the 55th Penn State Scranton commencement ceremony on May 6 at the Scranton Cultural Center in downtown Scranton.
Credit: Bridget Malloy Kosierowski
“Today, you are proudly graduating from a very special, celebrated University, and a campus that boasts incredible achievements,” she said.
“Family obligations, work and financial challenges, issues that you foresaw, and many that blindsided you – but still you persevered and moved forward. You worked, you studied, and you delivered. As you celebrate this day and move forward, I want you to also occasionally reflect on those challenges that you have faced and remember that you kept moving forward and you overcame those obstacles.
“As you move forward, it is important that you always stay open to new possibilities. It's okay to be fearful on occasion, but don’t let fear or self-doubt block your path. Listen to your heart, and do not be afraid to switch paths at any time in your life. In your coming years, please choose to move forward, to seize every positive opportunity that presents itself. Don’t be afraid of the unknown, embrace your challenges, utilize your strengths and celebrate the results. Every accomplishment in life begins with the decision to try, and the courage to take a risk.”
However, she also advised them to take time to enjoy life’s landmark moments. “For today…slow down. Enjoy this moment. Celebrate with your family and friends and enjoy all that you have accomplished. You deserve it! May you always live in the present, make the most out of every situation.”
Penn State Scranton granted degrees in Biology, Business, Corporate Communication, English, Human Development and Family Studies, Information Sciences and Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Multidisciplinary Studies, Nursing, Project and Supply Chain Management, Psychology and Science.
Associate degrees were awarded in Business Administration, Human Development and Family Studies, Information Sciences and Technology and Multidisciplinary Studies. Two master’s degrees in nursing were also conferred.
Several students graduated with honors of distinction.
Graduating Summa Cum Laude: Alexandria DeWolfe, Marie LaRosa, Janvi Patel, Marceia Tanzini, Madison Tricarico and Daniel York.
Graduating Magna Cum Laude: Jordan Coles, Nicholas Drago, Megan Lucy, Rachel May, Molly Morgan, Pujan Patel, Devin Peterson, Brianna Rowles, Patricia Ryan, Kaylee Salony, Matthew Traverse and Elizabeth Trojan.
Graduating Cum Laude: Catherine Bennett, Grant Geldhof, Daniel Grant, Cameron Mackerley and Brianna Strein.
Recognition of graduates with Military Service: Michael Border, April Paciotti, Brandon Sicovitch and Josiah Sisco.
Members of the Penn State Scranton Class of 2023 Nicholas Sherman, Molly Morgan, Deymeliz Desarden-Ruperto, Carlos Salazar Paz, and Tanner Begin pose before the start of the 55th commencement ceremony at the Scranton Cultural Center in downtown Scranton on May 6, 2023.
Credit: Morgan Sewack
The following Penn State Scranton 2023 graduates, by Penn State college and degree are:
Bachelor of Science in Biology: Angelena Allen, Dallas; Olivia Damski, Archbald; Alexandria DeWolfe, Susquehanna; Daniel Grant, Waymart; Christian Hanerfeld, Clifton Township; Joseph Krishanda, Blakely; Holly Oppelt, Lake Ariel; Devin Peterson, Dunmore; Sarah Sherpinskas, Scranton; and Krutik Solanki, Dunmore.
Bachelor of Science in Business: Angel Bello, Scranton; Michael Braun, Susquehanna; Jordan Coles, Forest City; Laxmi Dahal, Scranton; Kyle Davies, Archbald; Jaclyn Finnerty, Scranton; Isabella Flynn, Scranton; Tyler Fofi, Jermyn; Trinity Gammaitoni, Scranton; Austin Lipinski, Scranton; Evan Logan, Dickson City; Mark Longo, Throop; Cameron Mackerley, Dingmans Ferry; Clayton Martin, Honesdale; Richard Martin, Archbald; Keily Matute, Scranton; Rachel May, Scranton; Robert McAndrew, Scranton; Kristie Miller, Moosic; Michael Ng, Scranton; Nicholas Novobilski, Throop; Raymond Ondrako, Carbondale; Pujan Patel, Scranton; Nicholas Pizzo II, Hawley; Felicity Quick, Lakeville; Eric Reingold, Lake Ariel; Brianna Rowles, Larksville; Patricia Ryan, Scranton; Savion Saunders, Larksville; Collin Scherer, Scranton; Brandon Sicovitch, Spring Brook Township; Rebecca Tomczyk, Lake Ariel; Gabrielle Torres, Greentown; Matthew Traverse, Peckville; and Matthew Wilson, Waymart.
Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication: Patrick Battle, Jermyn; Tanner Begin, Scott Township; Kristina Bruzzano, Mechanicsburg; Deyniel Desarden-Ruperto, Throop; Britney Diaz, Tobyhanna; Connor McColligan, Scranton; Molly Morgan, Spring Brook Township; Enrique Olmedo, Moosic; and Nicholas Sherman, Prompton.
Bachelor of Arts in English: Catherine Bennett, Lake Como; Taylor Burdick, Waymart; Marie LaRosa, Moscow; Zoe Montagna, Pittston Township; and Madison Tricarico, South Abington Township.
Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies: Samantha Artone, Carbondale; Katelyn Casella, Matamoras; Deymeliz Desarden-Ruperto, Throop; Ryley Dommes, Scranton; Jaclyn Fusik, Dalton; Marissa Ivanko, Lackawaxen; Carissa James, Archbald; Elizabeth McKeon, Scranton; Ariana Meserve, Dalton; Ralph Morris IV, Dickson City; Darshan Patel, Scranton; Emily Pinto, Dunmore; Kamili Rachell-Williams, East Stroudsburg; Samantha Rescigno, Blakely; Taylor Smith, Waymart; and Robin Wrobleski, Exeter.
Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology: Ashley Frometa-Vasquez, Scranton; Matthew Galka, Tobyhanna; Philip Haser, Dunmore; Alexandra Lee, Newfoundland; Robert Mattern III, Spring Brook Township; Parkston Myers, Lake Winola; Christian Pane, Elmhurst Township; Avani Patel, Scranton; Casey Patel, Scranton; Het Patel, Scranton; Kris Patel, Scranton; Kush Patel, Dunmore; Trusha Patel, Mountain Top; Zachary Taylor, Jefferson Township; and Jonathan Wescott, Dickson City.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering: Michael Border, South Abington Township; Nicholas Drago, Milford; Frank Genell, Moosic; Joseph Jackson, Kingsley; Sean Jacobs, Lackawaxen; Daniel Kleeman, Taylor; Timothy Nelson, Moscow; Jonathan Toro, Milford; and Alexandria Trinovitch, Spring Brook Township;
Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies: James Horensky, Roaring Brook Township; Logan Munley, Jessup; and Amanda Sedlak, Dunmore.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Debbie Acosta, Scranton; Aless Jellan Agojo, Dunmore; Isabella Calabrese, Hawley; Johnnah Carr, Berwick; Justin Dit, East Stroudsburg; Summer Franklin, Waymart; Meera Ghataney, Taylor; Sierra Gibbs, Scranton; Jhopselin Guaman, Wilkes-Barre; Michael Herbinko, Wilkes-Barre; Alyssa Kelly, Kingsley; Emma Kernoschak, Roaring Brook Township; Kayla Kozlowski, Scott Township; Haley Leonard, Scranton; Megan Lucey, Milford; Paige McClain, Scott Township; Sydney Nonnemacher, Hawley; Tyler Olver, Honesdale; Nicole Ortona, Covington Township; Krina Patel, Scranton; Ariana Petrillo, Throop; Samantha Praschak, Scranton; Alysse Ritter, Peckville; Jennifer Robinson, Clarks Green; Anne Royce, Old Forge; Ashley Stangline, Scott Township; Nicole Swanson, Susquehanna; Claire Taylor, Lake Ariel; Allison Theobald, Falls; Jonathan Yocum, North Abington Township; Nicole Zasada, Moscow; Liling Zhao, Dunmore; and Ariel Zohner, South Abington Township.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Marquis Baskerville, Lake Ariel; Cameron Christy, Scranton; Grant Geldhof, Archbald; Albana Kabashi, Peckville; Alexandra Pietralczyk, Jermyn; and Samantha Zanabria-Vega, Tobyhanna;
Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Stephen Bednarek, Dallas; Diavian Brown, Mount Pocono; Gabrielle Geldhof, Archbald; Dennis Korski Jr., Olyphant; Amanda Moody, Scranton; Steven Paredes, Scranton; Janvi Patel, Dunmore; Francesca Rizzo, Moscow; Kaylee Salony, South Abington Township; Evan Samuelsen, Jermyn; Felicia Sompel-Welk, Forty Fort; Brianna Strein, Scranton; Marceia Tanzini, Susquehanna; and Elizabeth Trojan, Stillwater.
Bachelor of Science in Project and Supply Chain Management: Luke Bender, Union Dale; Joseph Talutto III, Dunmore; and Daniel York, Peckville.
Bachelor of Science in Science: April Paciotti, Jefferson Township; Kaylee Salony, South Abington Township; and Cory Walsh, Dunmore.
Associate of Science in Business Administration: Nathaniel Adams, Moscow; Charles Castellino, Pittston: Christina Howell, Blakely; Josiah Sisco, Throop; and Zachary Sulima, Pittston.
Associate of Science in Human Development and Family Studies: Kelly Velehoski, Mountain Top.
Associate of Science in Information Sciences and Technology: Reese Anderson, Jefferson Township; and Robert Grancey, Jermyn.
Associate of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies: Stephen Alvaro, Kingston; and Esteban Marengo, Scranton.
Assistant Professor of Philosophy Dr. Todd Adams; Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Abraham S. Tchako; Assistant Teaching Professor of Accounting Angela Bassani, Ed.D.; Assistant Teaching Professor of Engineering Mostafa Tossi, M.S., P.E.; Assistant Professor of Psychology; Lecturer in Art Corianne Thompson, M.A.T., and Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Dr. Parminder Parmar, Ph.D., served as faculty marshal at the 55th commencement at the Scranton Cultural Center in downtown Scranton on May 6, 2023.
Credit: Morgan Sewack
