To Our Guests
We welcome you to the commencement exercises for baccalaureate and associate degree candidates. Commencement, the solemn but joyful climax and recognition of the graduates’ years of study, is an important occasion for the University, its faculty, staff, and students. All guests and participants are requested to avoid unnecessary conversation or moving about during the exercises.
A Message from the Chancellor
On behalf of the faculty and staff at Penn State Altoona, as well as our Advisory and Alumni Society Boards, it gives me great pride and pleasure to welcome you to today’s commencement ceremony. Today, we recognize the talent, dedication, and hard work of our soon-to-be graduates in achieving this significant milestone in their academic careers. Further, we recognize that their success is a reflection of the support given to them by their families, friends, and the many others who cheered them on.
To our newest graduates, we wish you well in your future endeavors. There will, of course, be times of accomplishment and times of challenge ahead. We urge you to approach them with balance, confidence, and humility and to embrace the simple reality that learning is a lifelong endeavor.
Dr. Ron Darbeau
Chancellor
About Penn State Altoona
Penn State Altoona is a full-service, residential campus located less than forty-five miles from the University Park campus. The college enrolls nearly 2,500 students and offers twenty-one baccalaureate degree programs, five associate degree programs, and the first two years of coursework for more than 275 Penn State majors that can be completed at other Penn State campuses.
Penn State Altoona’s Ivyside campus, home to the college since 1947, consists of all-purpose athletic fields, a turf soccer field with an eight-lane track, a reflecting pond, thirty-three buildings, and four residence halls. In 1999, the college added its first location in downtown Altoona with the leasing of the former Playhouse Theater. Since then, the college has expanded its footprint downtown, which is now home to the Devorris Downtown Center (classrooms and conference facilities), Aaron Building (communications suite, nursing simulation labs, Dining Car Downtown, William J. Castle Executive Quarters, and Sutter Suites), Kazmaier Family Building (Development and Alumni Relations Office), The Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence (entrepreneurship program and Sheetz Fellows program), and Penn Building (classrooms, office space).
The college boasts world-class faculty in all of its four academic divisions: Arts and Humanities; Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences and Technology; Education, Human Development, and Social Sciences; and Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Small classes and excellent support systems enable students to reach their fullest potential. The small campus environment allows for a comprehensive learning experience while combining the high standards of a major research university.
Penn State Altoona believes that the college experience should include more than just classroom learning and therefore is proud to offer its students a wide array of extracurricular opportunities. These opportunities include more than sixty clubs and organizations, community service opportunities, honor societies, pre-professional groups, student government, club sports, and student leadership programs.
An NCAA Division III member with primary conference membership in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) and secondary conference membership in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), Penn State Altoona offers fifteen varsity sports for men and women.
Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Program
Dr. Ron Darbeau
Chancellor of Penn State Altoona
Presiding
Academic Processional
Prelude to Te Deum, Charpentier
Performed by Encore Brass
National Anthem
Sung by Brandis Ajay
Penn State Altoona Class of 2020
The audience is asked to join in the singing.
Remarks
Chancellor Ron Darbeau
Commencement Speaker
Dr. Shihui Shen
Authorization to Confer Degrees
Dr. Nicholas J. Rowland
The Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees
Conferring of Degrees
Dr. Nicholas Pyeatt
Interim Division Head, Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Dr. Edward Levri
Division Head, Engineering, Science, and Technology
Presentation of Diplomas
Presiding: Chancellor Ron Darbeau
Assisting: Gina Baird, Registrar
Congratulations by the College Advisory Board
Richard Fiore, Co-Chair
Penn State Altoona Advisory Board
Recognition by the Penn State Alumni Society
D. Collin Reinhart, President
Penn State Altoona Alumni Society
Alma Mater
Sung by Brandis Ajay
Penn State Altoona Class of 2020
The audience is asked to join in the singing.
Recessional
Allegro Maestoso, Handel
Performed by Encore Brass
The audience is requested to remain seated during the recessional.
Commencement Speaker Dr. Shihui Shen
Distinguished Professor of Rail Transportation Engineering, Penn State Altoona
Dr. Shihui Shen is a Distinguished Professor of Rail Transportation Engineering at Penn State Altoona. She is a registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania and a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers. Shen earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has dedicated her career to advancing transportation infrastructure materials and structures for enhanced durability, energy efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Her research integrates civil materials characterization, structural health monitoring, and multiscale modeling, leveraging wireless sensing technologies and AI-driven data analytics to improve pavements, bridges, and railroad track structures.
Program Notes
Honor Societies
Penn State Altoona Honors Program
Royal purple cords
- Emera Gregor
- † Casey Hess
- Kathryn Maille
- Jesse Pellow
- Logan Sava
- † Travis Saylor
Schreyer Honors College Scholars
The Scholars Medal
- Emera Gregor
- Logan Sava
- † Travis Saylor
Beta Beta Beta
(National Biological Honor Society)
Forest Green and red cords
- † Joseph Levri
Chi Alpha Sigma
(National College Athlete Honor Society)
Medallion with black ribbon
- Anna Batrus
- Adeline Baustert
- Brianna Bone
- Hannah Brubaker
- Madison Coleman
- Isabelle Forcey
- † Casey Hess
- Alex Hlivia
- McKenna Holl
- Gianna Hoppel
- Emily Munson
- Taylor Myers
- David Ogoh
- † Makenna Port
- Hailey Toth
- Jack Zisa
Kappa Delta Pi
(International Honor Society in Education)
Green and purple cords
- Brianna Bone
- Shane Brantner
- Madison Coleman
- Mara Focht
- Isabelle Forcey
- Saige Greenland
- Mara Hockenberry
- Gianna Hoppel
- Meghan Knisely
- Matthew McMullen
- Emily Munson
- Ashley Nahay
- † Makenna Port
- Madison Shaw
- Jaylee Shuke
- Caitlin Williams
Phi Alpha Theta
(National History Honor Society)
- Kathryn Maille
- Jesse Pellow
Psi Chi
(International Honor Society in Psychology)
Navy and platinum cords
- Destiny Montgomery
- † Travis Saylor
Sheetz Fellows
Medallion with blue ribbon
- Anna Batrus
- Jonas Ciprich
- Seth Conaway
- Savanna Kelly
- Tyler Mainor
- Forrest Schwinn
- Andrew Tornatore
- Ty Wasserman
- Sarah Weathersbee
- Nikolas Wessell
- Nicolas Zoccoli
Sigma Beta Delta
(International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration)
Green and gold cords
- Anna Batrus
- Jonas Ciprich
- Jeremy Conrad
- Brendan Grazier
- Tyler Mainor
- Macey Prosser
- Forrest Schwinn
- Andrew Tornatore
- Sarah Weathersbee
Sigma Theta Tau
(Honor Society of Nursing)
Purple and white cords
- Julia Driskel
- Alexis Hoover
- Sarah Hoover
- Madeline Mattos
- Caitlyn McCartney
- Taylor Myers
- Kristen Onder
- Kyle Reese
- Hailey Toth
- Ashley VanGilder
Tri-Alpha Honor Society
(Honor Society for First-Generation College Students)
- Destiny Montgomery
Student Marshals
Each of the four student marshals is an outstanding student chosen by their division head to represent their respective academic division. We are proud to publish the following personal narratives highlighting their experiences at Penn State Altoona.
Travis Bryce Saylor
Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology
Escort: Dr. Laura Rotunno
Looking back to when I enrolled at Penn State Altoona, it would have been impossible to predict the path leading me to this moment now. At that point, I had a rough idea of the next four years and perhaps a slightly rougher plan for after that. Now, I don’t think any high schooler’s life plan lasts more than two semesters into college.
I will be forever grateful that my ideas for the future fell apart at Penn State Altoona. Here, I have met the most incredible people—both students and faculty—whose passions and support have led me to expand my horizons more than I had ever anticipated. I joined clubs, led research, and learned so much more than I knew there was to learn. I wouldn’t have had this same experience at any other school, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
As Student Marshal for the Division of the Arts and Humanities, it is my honor and privilege to tell you that our futures as graduates are uncertain and undetermined, but I know that they are bright. Congratulations!
Makenna Grace Port
Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education
Escort: Bob Kasun
First, I want to thank Penn State Altoona. I will forever have gratitude for the experience I’ve had here.
My time at Penn State Altoona was beyond what I ever could have imagined four years ago. I am incredibly fortunate to have shared this journey with my roommates, teammates, education cohort, coaches, and professors. Each person—whether in a small moment or a significant one—has played a role in shaping who I am today. The unwavering support, kindness, and care I’ve received from others have inspired me to embody those same qualities as I move forward.
As this chapter of my life draws to a close, I find myself wishing it could remain open just a little longer. Yet, I carry with me countless memories that will forever remain in my heart. As I transition from one classroom to the next, from student to teacher, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead. To my fellow graduates, congratulations, and I wish you all the very best in the next steps of your journey!
Joseph P. Levri
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Escort: Dr. Richard Bell
It is an honor to be nominated as the Student Marshal of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Reflecting on my time at Penn State Altoona, I realize how much it has helped me grow both academically and personally. Initially, I aimed to pursue a medical career but had little experience or direction. Over the past four years, I’ve been fortunate to receive guidance from dedicated instructors and peers, helping me navigate the path to graduate school, even when I felt uncertain.
I am deeply grateful to my instructors, especially Dr. Bell and Professor Kananen, who went above and beyond to expand my knowledge and invest time in my success. Their support, along with the unwavering encouragement of my family, has been invaluable. My family has been there for me long before college, providing consistent support and reminding me that growth often comes with stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. Thanks to their support, I feel ready to embrace the next phase of my journey with confidence.
Casey Hess
Bachelor of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
Escort: Dr. Grant Risha
I expected college to consist of uneventful classes and tedious coursework. Today, I proudly say that my experience at Penn State Altoona was not just unexpected, but unexpectedly diverse, eventful, and rewarding.
I’d like to acknowledge my family—especially my mother and father—who countlessly sacrificed their time and resources to provide clear avenues to success. To my tennis coaches and teammates, our interactions on and off the court made an intense academic demand enjoyable. To my fellow campus ministry members, your support helped me approach each day with confidence and joy.
Lastly, I owe my technical skills to Dr. Grant Risha and Dr. Jeffrey Moore, who balanced demand, encouragement, and autonomy to optimize my learning. I must also recognize Mr. Steven Betza for his unmatched personal and professional guidance. My EMET peers deserve special recognition, as they never failed to entertain each other before, after, and (best of all) during class.
I conclude my undergraduate experience with the highest regard for Penn State Altoona and its student and faculty network. It is with tremendous gratification that I accept the honor of being named the 2025 Student Marshal for the Division of Business, Engineering, and Information Sciences and Technology.
Candidates for Degrees
Please note: The information in this document was produced on April 28, 2025, as an official list of students who indicated an intent to graduate. Students who indicated their intent to graduate after that production date are not listed.
Degrees officially will be conferred in May, pending successful completion of all degree requirements. Subject to completion of all degree requirements and satisfaction of minimum criteria, distinction may be conferred as indicated upon the individuals listed herein and upon such others as may meet the requirements.
Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Associate of Arts
Multidisciplinary Studies
Altoona College
- Madison Elizabeth Beck
- Ariana Marie Cianci-Donovan
Associate of Science
Business Administration
Altoona College
- Jared Christian McCulloch, Magna Cum Laude
Associate of Science
Criminal Justice
Altoona College
- Ryan Edward Marshall, Cum Laude
Associate of Science
Human Development and Family Studies
Altoona College
- Jill Renee Deweese
Bachelor of Arts
Communications
Altoona College
- Samuel Homan
- Zachary Lee Hopson
Bachelor of Arts
Criminal Justice
Altoona College
- Jahmar Andre White
Bachelor of Arts
English
Altoona College
- Nathan Garrett Colyer
- *Emera Louise Gregor
- Kathryn Marie Maille
- †Travis Bryce Saylor, Summa Cum Laude
Bachelor of Arts
History
Altoona College
- Kathryn Marie Maille
- Jesse Darnell Pellow
- *Luke Thomas Torquato
Bachelor of Arts
Multidisciplinary Studies
Altoona College
- Makaylah Bangura
- *Tyreke Breeze-Don Green
- Monyette King
Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
Altoona College
- Destiny Grace Montgomery
- †Travis Bryce Saylor, Summa Cum Laude
- *Haley Zartman
Bachelor of Arts
Visual Arts Studies
Altoona College
- *Kai Deline
Bachelor of Science
Accounting
Altoona College
- Jonas Nelson Ciprich, Magna Cum Laude
- Seth Robert Conaway
- Jeremy Alden Conrad, Magna Cum Laude
- Brendan Kade Grazier
- Savanna Grace Kelly
- Nathan Luke Maslanik
- Isaac Francisco Michlinski
- Bailey Freeman Musselman
- *Shaun Patrick Smith
- Kameryn Rose Snead
- Andrew J Tornatore
- Nikolas Allen Wessel
- Nicolas Paul Zoccoli
Bachelor of Science
Business
Altoona College
- Anna Marie Batrus, Magna Cum Laude
- Dylan Andrew Bauer
- Ryan Andrew Biesinger
- *Jordan Bisignani
- Nicolas Coppeta
- Aubrey Dotts
- Jacob Jeffrey Frank
- Thomas Gelman
- Peter Dollis Hering
- Harrison James Stanton Knaupe
- Hanna Mae Lauck
- Tyler Mainor
- John Robert McGregor II
- Robert Mark Miszkiewicz
- Aleksandar Sebestyen Mohoruk
- *Mitchell Daryl Motley
- *Christopher Franklin Peters
- *Caleb Pierce
- Macey Elizabeth Prosser
- Andrew James Savino
- Forrest A Schwinn, Cum Laude
- *April Rena Silva
- Trent Alan Smith
- *James Lane St Laurent Friend
- *Ty Alexander Wasserman
- Sarah Alexis Weathersbee, Cum Laude
- Nikolas Allen Wessel
Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice
Altoona College
- Corey Matthew Chamberlain
- *Adamari Taina Cortez
- *Dylan Darkwah
- Nickolas Michael DeAntonio
- Joanthan Joseph Ebersole
- Jacob Elliott Hillard
- Skyler Eve Madtes
- Ethan J Mylet
- Matthew Wracher
Bachelor of Science
Elementary and Early Childhood Education
College of Education
- Carlie Rae Bailey
- Jeana Bohn
- Brianna Bone
- Shane Ellis Brantner, Magna Cum Laude
- Madison James Coleman
- Madison Marie Detwiler
- Maggie Elizabeth Feight
- Mara Claire Focht
- Isabelle Delaney Forcey
- Saige Hart Greenland
- Mara Elizabeth Hockenberry
- Gianna A Hoppel
- Lauren Michele Kint
- Meghan Knisely
- Katelyn Clair Lingle
- Matthew Mark McMullen
- Emily Lois Munson
- Ashley Rose Nahay, Magna Cum Laude
- Maelyn Cora Payne
- †Makenna Grace Port, Magna Cum Laude
- Madison Ann Shaw, Cum Laude
- Jaylee Marie Shuke
- Caitlin Brooke Williams
Bachelor of Science
Human Development and Family Studies
Altoona College
- Adeline Baustert
- Michelle M Cates
- Adaku Nora Darlington
- Sara Louise Marie Herr
- *Noah B Jeffries
- Christina Elizabeth Nahas
- Jennifer Marie Parrish, Cum Laude
- Anthony Milo Urion
Bachelor of Science
Kinesiology
Altoona College
- *Leigha P Anderson
- Hannah Mae Brubaker
- *Alyssa J Fisher
- Hayden Robert Fox
- *Abigail Harwood
- Justin Michael Himes, Magna Cum Laude
- Alex John Hlivia
- Jahdon Jahiem Jerome
- Aidan Joseph Kanouff
- Cassandra Jane Lee
- Leanne Elizabeth Leeper
- Paul M Leri
- *Sophia Arabella Nelson
- Riley Isabella Reid
- Noah Alan Ritchey
- Anthony Victor Soucy
- Caelen Inna Stevenson
Bachelor of Science
Nursing
College of Nursing
- Arch Michael Ackley
- Allison Nicole Bagley
- Gracie Raine Baker
- Taylor Lynn Black
- Justin Thomas Bodle
- Abigail Elizabeth Brinker
- Lisania Burgos
- Erin Natane Carlson
- Kellee Marie Clark
- McKenzie Helene Coates
- Kara Renae Coval
- Lydia Catherine Dixon
- Julia Catherine Driskel
- Deyana Tedla Dye
- Ekene Ezeiruaku
- Erina Lynne Farrell
- Megan Anne Finnegan
- Joseph Xavier Fox
- Celia Furlow
- Brianna Paige Garrity
- Lucas Russell Goodman
- Elianna Elizabeth Gouvas
- Kira Lynn Harris
- Makayla L Harris
- Alyssa Marie Hockenbroch
- McKenna Jo Holl
- Alexis Makayla Hoover
- Sarah Elizabeth Hoover
- Tessa Jane Hoover
- Marie Grace Horell
- Michele Kathryn Imler
- Kiley Elizabeth Johnes
- Erin Brianna Kelly
- Caitlyn June Kick
- Ethan Knisely
- Callie Marie Maceno
- Madeline Elizabeth Mattos
- Caitlyn Shea McCartney
- Julia Aiden Miller
- Taylor Dawn Myers, Cum Laude
- Kristen Renee Onder
- Jasmine Pham
- Makayla Rachelle Preston
- Kendyl Alise Reddon
- Kyle Henry Reese
- Chesney LaShae Saltsgiver
- Mason Douglass Thomas
- Isabella Milagros Tibado
- Hailey Elizabeth Toth
- Ashley VanGilder, Magna Cum Laude
- Jonathan VerSteeg
- Ethan T Watters
- Kyra Shea Young
Bachelor of Science
Psychology
Altoona College
- Riley Shay Brode
- Madelynn Irene Hook
- *Ariana Martinez
- *Dylan Tinashe Mhloyi
- *Auston Rhodes
Division of Engineering, Science, and Technology
Bachelor of Science
Biology
Altoona College
- Eva Lynn Gates
- †Joseph P Levri, Summa Cum Laude
- Cassidy Judith Scott
- Gavin Charles Suter
- Madalyn Ava Whitaker
Bachelor of Science
Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
Altoona College
- Johnathan Almanzar
- Jonathan Walter Bush
- Christian Sean Diaz
- Patrick Liam Galante
- Shamar Seymour
- Andrew Lawrence
- *Ratanathida Phiset
- Jack Ryan Zisa
Bachelor of Science
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
Altoona College
- Jeremy Scott Campbell
- Francis J Dellapenna
- Jacob Robert Dick
- Bethany Jane Hall
- †Casey Hess, Summa Cum Laude
- Griffen Josephs
- Dominic Francis Landi
- Nicholas Timothy Leberfinger
- Levi Martin Long
- Ian Michael Majetic
- Nathan Michael McDermott
- Travis James Meckley
- David Ogbedu Ogoh
- Aiden Anthony Taylor
- Alex A Taylor
- Jonathan Michael Tedrow
- Samuel E. Toso
- Ivan Underwood
Bachelor of Science
Environmental Studies
Altoona College
- Anthony Joseph Lubold
Bachelor of Science
Information Technology
Altoona College
- Gabriel Chance McFadden
Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering
Altoona College
- Ketan Arbuckle
- Nicholas William Ashcroft
- Asher Brynn Burkett
- Alexander Tomas Cesani
- David Nicholas Close
- Riley James Dibert, Summa Cum Laude
- Cole Richard Keiper
- Levi Keiper, Magna Cum Laude
- Logan Alexander Sava
- Aidan T Smeltzer
- Jacob Patrick Wetherill
Bachelor of Science
Rail Transportation Engineering
Altoona College
- Garret Blum
- Nicholas Gibbon
- *Jason Levinn
- Samuel Robert Risjan
- Calvin S Spector
- Eric Ulyas
- Nihal Abhijeet Wadkar
Bachelor of Science
Security and Risk Analysis
Altoona College
- Conor James Galligan
- Fred Joseph Guarino IV
- Jalen Ruston
- Ryan Stephen Sinclair
All Other Locations
Bachelor of Science
Security and Risk Analysis
World Campus
- Habiba Kassimu
Nomenclator, Advisory Board, and Commencement Marshals
Nomenclator
William J White
Professor of Communication Arts and Sciences
Penn State Altoona Advisory Board
Chair: Brian Durbin
Co-chair: Richard Fiore, Jr.
Treasurer: Bernard L Creppage
Secretary: Ron Darbeau
Members
- Ron Darbeau
- Josh Baker
- Jennifer Bates
- Carmen Bilek
- William J. Castle
- Andrea Cohen
- Bernard L. Creppage
- Charles Dupree
- Brian Durbin
- Marcus Edwards
- Fred Egerer
- Leila Farzam
- Richard Fiore, Jr.
- Dr. Adam Goddard
- Tracy Hinish
- R. Lee Hite
- C. David Kimmel
- Phil Merilli
- Shannon Morris
- Neil Port
- Collin Reinhart
- Mark Ritchey
- Ryan Sheetz
- Stephen G. Sheetz
- Tom Smith
- Clark Stapelfeld
- Gregory Wolf
- J. Benjamin Yeager
Commencement Marshals
College Marshal
Shahub Tossi
Faculty Marshals
- Shawn Bernecky
- Jordan Bittner
- Victor Brunsden
- Deborah K. Hommer
- Lauren Jacobson
- Laura K Palmer
- Doug Page
- Laura Rotunno