University of Scranton conducts undergraduate, graduate commencements

The University of Scranton conferred more than 775 bachelor’s degrees at its undergraduate commencement ceremony Sunday at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Twp.

Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic requirements in August and December of 2023, as well as January and May of 2024.

Members of the university’s undergraduate class of 2024 represent 17 states, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Undergraduate majors with the most graduates are nursing, biology, accounting, kinesiology and occupational therapy.

The class includes Shelby A. Traver ’24, Sweet Valley, the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright Award in Political Science to the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus, Rwanda.

Receiving honorary degrees at the ceremony were Shabana Basij-Rasikh, the co-founder and president of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA); Sister Mary Persico, I.H.M., Ed.D., the president of Marywood University; and Joseph M. Vaszily ’95, former university trustee, retired vice president at Goldman Sachs, and referee for women’s Division I basketball in the Big East Conference. Basij-Rasikh also served as the principal speaker.

John A. Nelson ’24, a computer engineering and philosophy double major and member of the university’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program from Jefferson, Maryland, spoke on behalf of the class of 2024.

“The year we started at Scranton, 2020, will never be forgotten by anyone. Our new, budding college experience was overshadowed by serious health, economic and social problems,” Nelson said. “We witnessed an incredible, yet slow, rekindling of the spirit in the community around us. Social interaction was difficult, yet here we are four long-yet-short years later surrounded by friends that will last a lifetime. … What we’ve encountered is a community of resilience despite change, and I think that community has a lot to do with who we’ve become.”

The Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., university president, addressed the graduates at the ceremony and conferred degrees upon candidates presented by Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Leahy College of Health Sciences (formerly the Panuska College of Professional Studies); David Dzurec, Ph.D., interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., bishop of Scranton, provided the invocation, and Rachel Frissell, faculty specialist, Physics and Engineering Department, provided the benediction. Also speaking at the ceremony were Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Paul DiPietrantonio ’97, president of the university’s Alumni Society.

Bachelor’s degrees

Local bachelor’s degree recipients are as follows in alphabetical order:

Maille R. Allardyce, Moosic; Chirayu Amin, Scranton; Corey J. Anderson, Scranton; Seth N. Anderson, Great Bend; Gabrielle M. Andiario, Wyoming; Zachery J. Andrews, Mountain Top; Dominic F. Angeloni, Jessup; Elizabeth Anzures, Scranton; Mia E. Barahona, Clarks Summit; Svetlana A. Baron, Duryea; Dimitri A. Bartels-Bray, Scranton; Tabitha R. Berger, Cresco; Aidan H. Bohn, Scranton; Ashley S. Bolan, Scranton; Alexa K. Bonk, Scranton; Sarah G. Boyle, Peckville; Braden C. Breithaupt, Stroudsburg; Julia A. Brown, Clarks Summit; Madison T. Brown, Browndale; Robert C. Brudnicki, Archbald; Luke S. Brunetti, Archbald; Christopher Burg, Kingston; James P. Calciano, Dunmore; Caleb T. Callejas, Archbald; Anthony R. Carmadella, Archbald; Christian D. Chakiris, Dickson City; Abigail Charneski, Kingston; Kathryn L. Coolican, Moosic; Anya J. Covaleski, Peckville; Julianna M. Crandle, Clarks Summit; Gwyn A. Cruz, Dallas; Julia Cunha, Scranton; Michael J. D’Angola, Scranton; Samantha G. Darcy, Dingmans Ferry; Josiah A. David, Scranton; Abigail G. Davis, Scranton; Bella M. Davis, Scranton; Sydney E. Decker, Scranton; Ruth A. Deliman, Archbald; Christopher E. DeManicor, Clifford Twp.; Izabella B. DeNaples, Dunmore; Ranjeeta Dhungel, Scranton; Christian A. Diana, Dallas; Gracie A. Dombroski, Shavertown; Daniel Doucek, East Stroudsburg; Caitlin J. Doughton, Throop; Ryan J. Dubiac, Scott Twp.; Luke J. Durdach, Lake Ariel; Thomas N. Elias, Tunkhannock; Fione Evans, Scranton; Kaylee L. Evans, South Gibson; Jose A. Falcon, Dingmans Ferry; Rebecca E. Farrell, Clarks Summit; Eva L. Fine, Sweet Valley; Khaya E. Fuller, Olyphant; Gary G. Geinitz, Waymart; Colin M. Gilmartin, Moscow; Luke A. Glidewell, Clarks Summit; Spencer Goldberg, Scranton; Samuel Q. Goncalves, Scranton; Isabella M. Gorzkowski, Pittston; Molly E. Graham, Waverly Twp.; Matthew M. Gregorowicz, Jessup; Lydia F. Grossman, Honesdale; Nicholas J. Guerra, Scranton; Federico Gutierrez, Hazleton; Fredie Gutierrez, Hazleton; Hunter H. Hackling, Noxen; Stephen D. Haggerty, South Abington Twp.; Samuel J. Hannah, Dunmore; Alyssa Harrington, Jermyn; Samuel R. Hartman, Taylor; Leandria E. Hercules, Scranton; Olivia Hudak, Scott Twp.; Manuel A. Jaramillo, Scranton; Adam A. Johnson, Scranton; Noah R. Johnson, South Abington Twp.; Tessa R. Jones, Blakely; Conor J. Jordan, Factoryville; Brandon J. Judge, Eynon; Lainey M. Kamora, Peckville; David S. Kelly, South Sterling; Thomas C. Kennedy, Scranton; Paige E. Knecht, Pocono Pines; Elise S. Koegler, Scranton; Tyler A. Kover, Drums; Devin Kristianto, Scranton; Maura V. Krzan, Scranton; James M. Lanning, Mountain Top; Mackenzie R. Lavelle, Scranton; Zackery G. Leach, Elmhurst Twp.; Isabella M. Leonardo, Scranton; Blendina Lluga, Scranton; Kayra A. Lopez, Scranton; Julia L. Loury, Scranton; Sade Lugo, Scranton; Joshua M. Lydon, Shavertown; Olivia S. Manarchuck, Carbondale; Isabella A. Manasek, Clarks Summit; Heidi R. Martens, Mount Pocono; Matthew J. Maurer, Waverly Twp.; Taylor M. Maxson, Lakewood; Logan McGowan, Pittston; Julianna B. McRell, Scranton; Jane M. Mecca, Chinchilla; Zuleima I. Mero, Wilkes Barre; Shervin Mokhtari, Clarks Summit; Todd F. Monahan, Moosic; Vanessa S. Moylan, Jefferson Twp.; Madison E. Mullen, Scranton; Mollie A. Murphy, Scranton; Tyler J. Muskey, Moosic; Joshua J. Muth, Taylor; Kathryn E. Nealon, Duryea; Shanice A. Nelson, Scranton; Christopher H. Newell, North Abington Twp.; Ryan D. Nguyen, Scranton; Patrick M. O’Malley, Peckville; Jeremiah D. Oakes, Scranton; Connor J. Olenginski, Mountain Top; Elif Z. Onat, South Abington Twp.; Devang R. Patel, Scranton; Disha Patel, Clarks Summit; Himani S. Patel, South Abington Twp.; Jay H. Patel, Scranton; Maitree V. Patel, Scranton; Nihar A. Patel, Mountain Top; Lauren E. Pelaez, Stroudsburg; Audrey E. Phillips, South Abington Twp.; Joseph C. Phillips, Wilkes Barre; Samantha F. Pickering, Hunlock Creek; Sean M. Pietruszkiewicz, Dunmore; Deniz Pinarbasi, Scranton; Vanessa C. Pinto, Jenkins Twp.; Geoffrey S. Pizzuto, Scranton; Aidan M. Plick, Scranton; Ana J. Postowski, Pocono Lake; Stephen C. Postupak, Dallas; Kathryn M. Purcell, Covington Twp.; Yasmin Ramirez, Scranton; Nicholas A. Reposa, Factoryville; Jessenia A. Robles, Stroudsburg; Richard Rodriguez, Scranton; Molly J. Rosario, Tobyhanna; Mario T. Rotell, Archbald; Robert P. Salitsky, Carbondale; Simal Sami, Jessup; Alison Samudio, Gouldsboro; Jamie M. Santiago Gonzalez, Plains Twp.; Janet E. Schieber, Jefferson Twp.; Madelynn M. Senatore, Dunmore; Kyla M. Sheerer, Scranton; Benjamin I. Siesputowski, Blakely; Lilian R. Smith, Scranton; Ryan V. Sophabmixay, Scranton; Bennice M. Sporl, Stroudsburg; Mackenzie C. Steele, Nicholson; Rosemary M. Steidl, Scranton; Martin J. Stivala, Dunmore; Jadyn E. Swartout, Scranton; Lisa A. Tallo, Dunmore; Walker T. Temperton, South Canaan; Ethan S. Thomas, Dunmore; Ryan K. Tolan, Hazleton; Nicholas J. Tomassoni, Eynon; Kelsey M. Torres, Long Pond; Madison K. Tratthen, Olyphant; Shelby A. Traver, Sweet Valley; Robert D. Troy, Dunmore; Britney L. Walsh, Scranton; Kyle M. Walsh, Eynon; Sarah R. Walsh, Scranton; Danielle M. Warhola, Eynon; Alex Wasalinko, Scranton; Grace Yue Zhen Wiercinski, Dickson City; Sara C. Williams, Clarks Summit; Gillian S. Williams-Mayers, Scranton; Nadia G. Wohlgemuth, Dalton; Isabelle M. Wohlleber, Hazleton; Amanda A. Yanul, Old Forge; Emily G. Yurgosky, Greenfield Twp.; and Emma H. Zipprich, Hop Bottom.

Graduate commencement

The University of Scranton conferred more than 465 master’s and doctoral degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony, which also took place Sunday at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Twp. The university conferred doctor of philosophy in accounting degrees, doctor of nursing practice degrees and doctor of physical therapy degrees, in addition to master’s degrees in various disciplines, to graduates who had completed their academic requirements in August and December of 2023, as well as January and May of 2024.

Graduates represented 26 states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Virginia. Students also represented Canada, Ghana, India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The programs with the most graduates were Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Health Administration and Doctor of Physical Therapy.

Samantha Rose Bobinski, Hillsborough, New Jersey, who earned her Master of Health Administration degree, spoke on behalf of the class of 2024, focusing on what it means to be “Jesuit educated.”

“We are here today because of Magis — the more; the pursuit of excellence grounded in gratitude. Our vocation is what has brought us here today. It is what pushed us to continue growing and learning so we can love those we serve,” said Bobinski. “We learned that life is more than just doing our job, it is about caring for the entirety of those we serve — Cura Personalis. … Caring for them as a person, a human being, not just a patient or client. Ensuring that we have a special concern for those we encounter who are oppressed and do not have the same opportunities as many.”

Local degree recipients are as follows, in alphabetical order by degree:

Doctor of Nursing Practice: Gabriel J. Bigatel, Old Forge; Kevin Constantinescu, Scranton; Vincent C. David, Scranton; Elijah J. Emmons, North Abington Twp.; Erik L. Steffens, Scranton; Meghan R. Visalli, Scranton; Deborah A. Antwih, West Pittston; Toni Baran, Sugarloaf; and Aaron J. Crowell, Plains Twp.

Doctor of Physical Therapy: Benjamin P. DeTrempe, Scranton; Matthew Moran, Moosic; Stefan R. Pinkston, Archbald; Matthew R. Kinback, Factoryville; and Sydney M. Walters, Mehoopany.

Master’s degree: Fatimah M. Al Saigh, Clarks Summit; Yaser A. Alali, South Abington Twp.; Scarlet J. Alexander, Dupont; Wateen Alhatlani, Scranton; Michele Antal, Pittston; Gayatri Ashala, Scranton; James M. Aversa, Old Forge; Michelle Lynn Balas, Hanover Twp.; Peter T. Bard, Hazle Twp.; Jithendra Bathini, Scranton; Christopher J. Bauer, Cresco; Makenzie L. Bell, Nicholson; Ryan P. Bella, Exeter; Joseph C. Beyrent, Ransom Twp.; Emma R. Boyle, Peckville; Nicole M. Branning, Honesdale; Olivia G. Brunetti, Archbald; Mary C Burke, Dunmore; Matthew C. Byrnes, Milford; Bonita Carone, South Abington Twp.; Kaitlyn A. Cebular, Richmondale; Harini Chanbagari, Scranton; Sai Balaji Choppa, Scranton; Maria Cinti, Plains Twp.; Kelly A. Clarke, Scranton; Matthew Clemow, Sweet Valley; Christopher M. Cobb, South Abington Twp.; Thomas C. Cody, Mountain Top; Kayla S. Creagh, Scranton; Jackson M. Danzig, Clarks Green; Devin M. Diehl, Mayfield; Kristina E. Dougherty, South Abington Twp.; Dhrutiben Bhaveshbhai Dudhat, Scranton; Colleen A. Dwyer, Moscow; George W. Edwards, Greenfield Twp.; Natalie A. Edwards, Prompton; Juan Ricardo Escobar-Uribe, Dallas; Daniel Finning, Scranton; Patrick T. Fitzsimmons, Forest City; Rebecca L Follmer, Drums; Thomas K. Gallagher, Mayfield; Rutu S. Gandhi, Scranton; Daniel P. Gavin, Scranton; Kimber V. Gerlach, Drums; Bianca G. Gibbons, Dallas; Emily M. Greenip, Meshoppen; Hannah N. Grijincu, Dunmore; Chloe Guerra, Wilkes Barre; Giovanni Gunawan, Scranton; Haley A. Haddle, Dallas; Madison Harding, Scott Twp.; Julia J. Higgins, Honesdale; Annie K. Hounsokou, Scranton; Tara L. James, South Abington Twp.; Susan L. Jansen, Effort; Paul G. Jason, Wilkes Barre Twp.; Maria P. Johnson, Scranton; Joseph R. Jones, Dupont; Cassidi D. Kalejta, Scranton; Gowtham Katamoni, Scranton; Joyce C. Kenkpen, Scranton; Kendra L. Kenney, Dalton; Sybil A. Keris, South Abington Twp.; Alexis E. Kishel, Moosic; Siva Mohan Kodali, Scranton; Kamal Kiran Kona, Scranton; Andrey R. Kondouzov, East Stroudsburg; Kristen Kondrosky, Shickshinny; Emily R. Kuchwara, Scranton; Marc Kudrich, Archbald; Michaelene A. Kulig, South Abington Twp.; Allison V. Lane, Hughestown; James M. Lanning, Mountain Top; Emily L. Lee-Chong, Dingmans Ferry; Anastasia L. Lepka, Scranton; James M. Lomma, Scranton; Julia L. Loury, Scranton; Julianna M. Lunt, Scranton; John A. Lynott, Clarks Summit; Mackenzie L. Machell, South Abington Twp.; Dheeraj Reddy Mallu, Scranton; Leela Sai Kiran Mannem, Scranton; Karen E. Marx, Scranton; Macy E. Matthews, Clifford Twp.; Morgan E. McGuire, Avoca; Keny Melgar, Simpson; Frank Mensah, Scranton; Rachel J. Millan, Scranton; Matthew R Moore, Dallas; Abhi Sai Kiran Moreboyana, Scranton; Ikram Muhammad, Mountain Top; Meghan E. Munkirs, Scranton; Lauren Nardelli, Eynon; Roni J. Nawrocki, Spring Brook Twp.; Jessica T. Notari, Thompson; Lily K. Nowak, White Haven; Joseph T. O’Driscoll, Peckville; Mary Kaitlyn O’Hara, Wyoming; Grace A. Okrepkie, Clarks Summit; Tejasri Pallem, Scranton; Emily A. Paparazzo, Blakeslee; Nina D. Pascolini, Old Forge; Divyang B. Patel, Scranton; Prutha B. Patel, Tunkhannock; Pujan V. Patel, Scranton; Yashi D. Patel, Scranton; Emily A. Petsche, Hawley; Iesha T. Phelps, Tobyhanna; Brianna Pugliese, North Abington Twp.; Sai Naveen Pulugu, Scranton; Benjamin J. Reavy, Scranton; Varshenne Reddi, Scranton; Jamie Richardson, Wilkes Barre; Tracy Rockefeller, Lake Ariel; Abhishek Saggidi, Scranton; Kruthi Sanga, Scranton; Danielle M. Sbeglia, Scranton; Laura L. Scanlon, Scranton; Bharathraj Senthilkumar, Scranton; Sarah E. Slusark, Duryea; Twinkle Spall, Scranton; Alyssa M. Sweda, Hazle Townshp; Kavya Meghana Syamakurthi, Scranton; Pravalika Thadapaneni, Dalton; Akshara Thammala Ravi, Scranton; Amanda L. Tomlinson, Jessup; Marisa D. Tosi, Dallas; Christine Tsaklas, South Abington Twp.; Ujwal R. Tuladhar, Waverly Twp.; Christopher J. Ungureit, Avoca; Haralampos Varonides, Scranton; Jacob K. Vituszynski, Dickson City; Nicolas J. Vorburger, Jermyn; Tricia Jones Watters, Scranton; Kyle M. Wind, Dickson City; Eric R. Wisdo, Tunkhannock; Miranda J. Woodruff, Tunkhannock; Helen Amanda Wrazien, Pittston; Kyle J. Yahn, South Abington Twp.; Lakshmi Shankar Yalamanchi, Scranton; Annie E. Yurgosky, Greenfield Twp.; Megan Zelonis, Pittston; Philip A. Zvirblis, Scranton; and Daniel E. Zych, Waverly Twp.