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.

Table of Contents

A Message from the Chancellor

Ron Darbeau

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 as they achieve this significant milestone in their academic careers. Further, we recognize that their success reflects the support of 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, seven 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 opened its first downtown Altoona location by leasing 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 across its two academic divisions: the Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences, and the Division of Business, Science, and Technology. Small classes and excellent support systems enable students to reach their fullest potential. The small campus environment provides a comprehensive learning experience while upholding 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 forty clubs and organizations, community service, 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 numerous 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
General Gary M. Brito

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 Schreyer Honors Medals
Chancellor and Dean Ron Darbeau

Presentation of Diplomas
Presiding: Chancellor Ron Darbeau
Assisting: Gina Baird, Registrar

Congratulations by the College Advisory Board
Brian Durbin, 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.

Gary Brito Headshot

Commencement Speaker Gary M. Brito

General, U.S. Army (retired)

General (retired) Gary Brito is a distinguished four-star U.S. Army leader whose thirty-eight-year career reflects exceptional strategic vision, operational excellence, and enterprise transformation at the highest levels of government. He is recognized for leading complex, mission-critical institutions through training, modernization, and transformation to adapt to rapid shifts in the global environment. Brito is a proven architect of large-scale organizational change and risk management.

Brito is now president of The Brito Group, LLC, providing consulting and strategic advisory services. He brings deep expertise in governance, coaching, strategy, organizational transformation, workforce development, and high-stakes operational decision-making.

As Commanding General of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command—a command that drove the Army’s institutional engine for training, education, and development—Brito served as the CEO responsible for preparing approximately one million soldiers and civilians. He managed a $4.3B annual budget, spearheaded significant modernization initiatives, including the development of an army-wide health and holistic fitness strategy, actions that drove solutions towards recruiting challenges, integration of advanced training technologies, and system-wide transformation; all of which drove critical change and supported enterprise transformation initiatives.

Previously, as the U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (G-1), he served as a SVP, leading end-to-end human capital, readiness, and workforce policy for the entire Army. His people-first, data-driven approach strengthened fiscal accountability, optimized talent management, and elevated organizational readiness across a skilled workforce of approximately 1,000 personnel providing expert HR support to the total Army of approximately one million personnel.

Brito also commanded (CEO) the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, GA, and the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, LA—two of the nation’s most critical training and force-generation platforms—where he drove innovation, advanced organizational agility, leader development, and operational preparation.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State, a master’s degree in human resource management from Troy State University, and completed elite executive programs, including Leadership at the Peak and MIT’s Seminar XXI. He received Penn State’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2025—the institution’s highest honor.

Brito is passionate about contributing his multifaceted perspective to boards across the public and private sectors, including technology, defense, and youth development, as well as public speaking.

He is married to Michelle Brito, née Harper, and they have two adult sons, Matthew and Patrick.

Program Notes

Academic Dress

Academic dress had its beginning in the Middle Ages. When European universities were taking form in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, scholars were also clerics and adopted robes similar to those of their monastic orders. Caps were a necessity in the drafty buildings, and capes with hoods attached were needed for warmth. These early scholars made the hood distinctive for the various degrees by its color, trimming, and binding. As the universities gradually passed from the control of these ecclesiastics, academic dress took on brighter hues.

The use of academic garb in the United States has been continuous since the founding of our first institution in colonial times. A uniform system was not widespread, however, until about 1895 when the well-defined code of the Intercollegiate Commission was adopted by nearly all institutions of higher learning.

Gowns worn by those in the procession vary according to the degree held. Although the gown is more frequently black for academic degrees, certain universities have authorized the use of colored gowns. The academic gown has short or regular sleeves for the bachelor’s degree, pointed sleeves for the master’s degree, and round full sleeves for the doctor’s degree. There are no trimmings on the bachelor’s and master’s gowns, but the doctor’s gown is faced in front with black velvet and has three bars of the same material across the sleeves. In some cases, the color of this velvet relates to the field in which the degree is granted.

Hoods are not usually worn by recipients of the bachelor’s degree. The hood, which is the most distinctive feature of the American code, varies in length according to the type of degree held and is lined with the official colors of the institution conferring the degree. The velvet border or edging of the hood indicates the discipline of the degree it represents: scarlet, theology; blue, philosophy; light blue, education; brown, fine arts; blue violet, architecture; copper, economics; drab, business administration; golden yellow, science; green, medicine; sage green, physical education; orange, engineering; pink, music; purple, law; russet, forestry; and white, arts, letters, humanities.

The cap is usually square and is the same for all degrees. The standard tassel is black, but the doctor’s cap may have a gold tassel. The standard cap is the mortarboard and is usually the color of the gown. Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the cap until the moment the degree is conferred.

Conferring of Degree

The legal corporate body of The Pennsylvania State University is its Board of Trustees. This is the entity that, by its charter, is given complete responsibility for the governance, welfare, and all other interests pertaining to the University. The Medallion presented by the Board of Trustees and worn by the Chancellor symbolizes the authority of the Chancellor to confer on each candidate the degree earned, as certified by the appropriate college faculty and administration.

Academic Mace and Medallion

The tradition of the mace can be dated to medieval kings, whose bodyguards would use a mace as an instrument of protection. It came to symbolize strength and authority. Originally, it was a weapon of offense that was made of iron and capable of breaking armor. It was a giant club, which came to be associated with brave men who fought to protect the king. During medieval times, the royal sergeants at arms were distinguished by their power of arrest without a warrant. To an increasing extent, the maces–originally ordinary weapons of war, similar to a club–became their emblems of authority from a noble lord or the king. These maces were stamped with the royal arms; and in an age in which few could read and write, the sergeants effected their arrests by showing their maces and not by producing any form of written warrant.

The evolution of maces from weapons of war to symbolic representations has seen the flanged head decrease in size to an ornamental bracket. The butt end historically carried the royal coat of arms and an arched crown surmounted by an orb and cross. As a result of the expansion of the butt end, maces began to be carried upside down with the crown uppermost.

Gradually, universities adopted the use of a mace to show the right of academic institutions to grant degrees to graduates. When English universities were taking form in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the mace was used as a symbol of royal authority at the universities the King established. It was displayed especially during formal ceremonies. The mace was carried by the most senior member of the faculty at the royal university before the president or chancellor and other dignitaries composing the platform party. The mace symbolically represents the college’s authority to exist and function as an institution of higher education.

As symbols of events and affiliations, medallions can be traced to religious orders during the Middle Ages. Since many orders, societies, and universities used similar designs—a circle, cross, or an oval—detailed artwork in the center of the medallion was adopted to differentiate each affiliation. Colleges and universities traditionally use ceremonial and commemorative medallions for formal occasions such as commencements, convocations, inaugurations, and other occasions when academic dress is worn. The academic medallion worn by the president or chancellor of the institution symbolically and officially represents their authority granted by the proper legal authority (the board of trustees, state authority, etc.) to confer degrees upon graduates of the institution.

Graduating with Honors

Honor Cords

Honor cords are double ropes knotted at the back of the neck and worn over the robe during commencement. The cords are awarded for academic honor, as well as for service and leadership. At Penn State Altoona, only honor cords for academic achievement or from recognized campus honor societies may be worn.

Penn State Altoona baccalaureate degree candidates graduating summa cum laude have attained a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.99 or higher; candidates graduating magna cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.95 and 3.98; and candidates graduating cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.87 and 3.94.

The College of Education confers the degree in Childhood and Early Adolescent Education offered at Penn State Altoona. Its baccalaureate degree candidates graduating summa cum laude have attained a GPA of 4.00; candidates graduating magna cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.97 and 3.99; and candidates graduating cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.93 and 3.96.

The College of Nursing confers the degree in Nursing offered at Penn State Altoona. Its baccalaureate degree candidates graduating summa cum laude have attained a GPA of 3.98; candidates graduating magna cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.93 and 3.97; and candidates graduating cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.86 and 3.92.

Throughout The Pennsylvania State University, associate degree candidates graduating summa cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.99 or higher; candidates graduating magna cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.92 and 3.98; and candidates graduating cum laude have attained a cumulative GPA between 3.84 and 3.91.

Penn State Altoona Honor Societies

  • Alpha Phi Sigma
    (National Criminal Justice Honor Society)
    Blue and gold braided cords
  • Beta Beta Beta
    (National Biological Honor Society)
    Forest Green and red cords
  • Chi Alpha Sigma
    (National College Athlete Honor Society)
    Medallion with black ribbon
  • Kappa Delta Pi
    (International Honor Society in Education)
    Green and purple cords
  • Kappa Omicron Nu
    (The Human Services Honor Society)
    Double cream and burgundy cords
  • Lambda Pi Eta
    (National Communication Association Honor Society)
    Gold cords
  • Penn State Altoona Honors Program
    Royal purple cords
  • Phi Alpha Theta
    (National History Honor Society)
    Red and blue/gray cords
  • Psi Chi
    (International Honor Society for Psychology)
    Navy and platinum cords
  • Schreyer Honors College Scholars
    The Scholars Medal
  • Sheetz Fellows
    Medallion with blue ribbon
  • Sigma Beta Delta
    (International Honor Society for Business, Management, and Administration)
    Green and gold cords
  • Sigma Tau Delta
    (International English Honor Society)
    Red and black cords
  • Sigma Theta Tau
    (International Honor Society of Nurses)
    Purple and white cords
  • Tau Alpha Pi
    (National Honor Society for Engineering Technology)
    Green and gold cords
  • Theta Chi Chapter of Tri-Alpha Honor Society
    (A National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students)
    Blue and grey cords
  • Veterans and Active Duty Military
    Red, white, and blue cords

Sheetz Fellows

The Sheetz Fellows program is the vision of Steve and Nancy Sheetz. It was established as part of the couple’s historic gift to Penn State Altoona in 2009.

Sheetz Fellows participate in advanced instruction and activities that promote an enhanced awareness and understanding of leadership, service, and ethics. Established academic standards must be met to maintain status within the program. Other requirements include completion of a study abroad experience, a credit-bearing internship, and a minor or option in entrepreneurship.

Sheetz Fellows processing in the commencement ceremony are identified by the specially crafted medallion that is worn proudly around their necks as a symbol of their commitment to academic excellence.

Honor Societies

Alpha Phi Sigma
(National Criminal Justice Honor Society)
Blue and gold braided cords

  • Rachel Gallagher
  • Devlin Glenn

Beta Beta Beta
(National Biological Honor Society)
Forest Green and red cords

  • Alexis Dell, Student Marshal
  • Mikaela Hurtado
  • Vendala Weitzel

Chi Alpha Sigma
(National College Athlete Honor Society)
Medallion with black ribbon

  • Jessica Burns
  • Kaden Claar
  • Hailey Colledge
  • Adam Dotts
  • Morgan Fussell
  • Infiniti Lewis
  • Ethan McDowell
  • Carter Piercey
  • Jonathan Rauch
  • Caden Traggiai
  • Breanna Yarnall

Kappa Delta Pi
(International Honor Society in Education)
Green and purple cords

  • Caleigh Rudy
  • Abby Waltz
  • Christina Zappa
  • Lilian Zeigler

Lambda Pi Eta
(National Communication Association Honor Society)
Gold cords

  • Adam Dotts
  • Sean Webb

Penn State Altoona Honors Program
Royal purple cords

  • Rachel Gallagher
  • Clarissa Henebury
  • Paige McCusker
  • Noah Meckes

Phi Alpha Theta
(National History Honor Society)

  • Luke Atherton
  • Zachary Dooley
  • Owen Smithmyer

Psi Chi
(International Honor Society in Psychology)
Navy and platinum cords

  • Hailey Colledge
  • Layna Henry
  • Long-Yang Li

Schreyer Honors College Scholars
The Scholars Medal

  • Blane Davidson
  • Layna Henry
  • Hollie Keller
  • Long-Yang Li
  • Thomas Scanlon

Sheetz Fellows
Medallion with blue ribbon

  • Kiersten Baker
  • Mason Diehl
  • Adam Dotts
  • Andrew Duey
  • Emma Giang
  • Hollie Keller
  • Kennedie Lauver
  • Ethan McDowell
  • Abigail Quinn
  • Cortlynd Rhoades
  • Isabella Grace Rhoades
  • Tirenioluwa Roluga
  • Peter Shivas
  • Connor Stayer
  • Evan Toth
  • Wyatt Treece
  • Alan Wedel

Sigma Beta Delta
(International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration)
Green and gold cords

  • Kiersten Baker
  • Madeline Gooch
  • Nathalia Konek
  • Noah Meckes
  • Isabella Grace Rhoades
  • Peter Shivas
  • Evan Toth
  • Emalia Wagner

Sigma Tau Delta
(International English Honor Society)
Red and black cords

  • McCailey Joy Flaugh
  • Hollie Ann Keller
  • Lance Lafferty
  • Paige McCuskerAeryal Palazzi

Sigma Theta Tau
(Honor Society of Nursing)
Purple and white cords

  • Emily Greenland
  • Mayah Marasco
  • Jasmine Santos

Tri-Alpha Honor Society
(Honor Society for First-Generation College Students)

  • Kiersten Baker
  • Kionna Habinyak
  • Clarissa Henebury
  • Layna Henry
  • Kassie Resig
  • Vendala Weitzel
  • Sarina Zhu

Student Marshals

Each of the 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.

Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Abigail Barger

Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies
Escorted by Lauren Jacobson

I am incredibly grateful for my time at Penn State Altoona. When I started, I knew I wanted to work in the human services field in my community. I thought Penn State would be a good fit simply because it was close to home. Little did I know it would be so much more than that. My professors and classes helped me fall in love with understanding how people are shaped by their environments and the importance of having a holistic approach when serving members of the community. To help someone best, we must understand their whole self, not just what we see in the moment. My professors shared not just their knowledge, but their passion. Through my field experience, I have gained insight into the inner workings of human services in our community. I want to express my thanks to my field supervisors who offered me the unique opportunity to explore the many aspects of human services. My time at Penn State has been incredibly important in shaping who I want to be in my field.

Alawnia Diehl

Bachelor of the Arts in Communications
Escorted by Bob Trumpbour

It is an absolute honor to serve as the Student Marshal for the Division of Business, Health, Humanities, and Social Sciences for Penn State Altoona’s spring 2026 graduating class. After graduating high school in 2020, I took a two-year gap before beginning my college journey at Penn State Altoona. In those two years of personal growth and self-discovery, I uncovered a fervent curiosity about the world and a desire to continue learning. Although I felt anxious about taking the next step, I decided to submit my application to Penn State Altoona, and I could not be more grateful for the learning, growth, and opportunities that followed. I am truly thankful to my professors, friends, and family that have supported me throughout my college journey. Their guidance and encouragement have not only made my achievements possible, but have also helped me build confidence, resilience, and a belief in my own potential.

Though our time at Penn State Altoona has come to a close, I hope we all leave here inspired to continue pursuing knowledge, embracing growth, and making a meaningful impact in all that we do.

We Are!

Division of Engineering, Science, and Technology

Alexis Brooke Dell

Bachelor of Science in Biology
Escorted by Laura Palmer

I am deeply honored to be chosen as a student marshal by the Penn State Altoona faculty. My experiences on campus and with the faculty have shaped my identity and my career, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who helped me along the way. I owe most of my success to Dr. Yimin Zhu, who took a chance and invited me into his research lab while I was a nervous freshman. He always pushed me to succeed and think critically about everything I do. Now, I am incredibly proud of the researcher I have become under his mentorship. I am also indebted to Dr. Laura Palmer, whom I have chosen as my faculty escort. She is not only the most dedicated professor but also an unwaveringly warm and kind person. When I needed support most, she went above and beyond to support me in and out of the classroom. Penn State Altoona has a wonderful community of students, faculty, and staff. I am proud to represent this amazing group of graduates as we conclude our journeys together.

Thomas Scanlon

Bachelor of Science in Rail Transportation Engineering
Escorted by Shihui Shen

Being chosen as the student marshal representing Penn State Altoona’s Division of Engineering, Science, and Technology is nothing short of a profound honor. My four-year journey was filled with meaningful experiences that left lasting impressions on me. It was also extremely demanding, presenting some of my life’s greatest challenges that required the best of my abilities and determination to conquer. I am beyond thankful for my time at Penn State Altoona, as it has given me fond memories to cherish and has also prepared me for the next chapter of my life.

Of course, I never could have forged this path alone. I would like to thank the Penn State Altoona faculty for their dedication to providing students with an enriching educational experience. In particular, I want to recognize Dr. Shihui Shen, whose incredible knowledge and wisdom were invaluable in guiding me through this journey. I also extend my gratitude to my family, friends, and everyone who has supported me along the way. I especially want to thank my mother and father for instilling in me a strong work ethic and the desire to always pursue my aspirations in life. Thank you all for everything!

Candidates for Degrees

Please note: The information in this document was produced on April 28, 2026, 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 Science
Criminal Justice
Altoona College

  • Evan James Sickler
  • Joshua Sorrentino

Bachelor of Arts
Communications
Altoona College

  • Sarah M Christofer
  • Alawnia Mariah Diehl, Summa Cum Laude, Student Marshal
  • Adam Wesley Dotts
  • Sydnee Elizabeth McConnell
  • Kenny Truong, Magna Cum Laude
  • Sean Michael Webb
  • Shaun Ben Zafar

Bachelor of Arts
Criminal Justice
Altoona College

  • Infiniti C Lewis
  • Teah Lee Sponsler

Bachelor of Arts
English
Altoona College

  • Hollie Ann Keller
  • Lance Earnest Lafferty
  • Paige McCusker
  • Aeryal Marie Palazzi

Bachelor of Arts
History
Altoona College

  • Luke James Atherton
  • Zachary James Dooley
  • Owen Miles Smithmyer
  • Elijah Scott Wiles, anticipated graduation date is August 2026

Bachelor of Arts
Multidisciplinary Studies
Altoona College

  • Clarissa Ann Henebury
  • Hollie Ann Keller
  • Abigail Nichelle Quinn, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Audrey Wawrynovic

Bachelor of Arts
Psychology
Altoona College

  • Olivia Rae Aurandt
  • Caleb Michael Chileski
  • Layna Ellette Henry, Cum Laude
  • Infiniti C Lewis
  • Long-Yang Li, Summa Cum Laude

Bachelor of Arts
Visual Art Studies
Altoona College

  • Grace Elizabeth Brown
  • Makenzie Joyce Kunkle, Cum Laude
  • Talon Cade McKendree
  • Richard Ricardo Mitchell
  • Sophie Mikal Replogle, Cum Laude
  • Noah James Schenk
  • Taylor Shae Wheeler

Bachelor of Science
Accounting
Altoona College

  • Joseph Daniel Baggio
  • Mason Lynn Diehl
  • Hannah Olivia Garrison
  • Madeline Elizabeth Gooch, Magna Cum Laude
  • Nathalia Santos Konek
  • Noah Alan Meckes
  • Sean Aidan Miller
  • Hao Khanh Pham
  • Tomas Rodriguez Hertz
  • Evan Isaac Toth, Cum Laude
  • Emalia Rebecca Wagner, Cum Laude
  • Alan William Wedel
  • Jordan Victoria Yaletsko

Bachelor of Science
Business
Altoona College

  • Aiden Joseph Amalfitano, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Jamila Nafi Gallee Bah
  • Kiersten Elizabeth Baker, Magna Cum Laude
  • Lucas H Burger
  • Andrew Joseph Duey
  • Reese Michael Evans
  • Ethan Firth
  • Emma Cai Giang
  • Emma Katherine Grace Gill, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Kionna Habinyak
  • Pragnya V Kalya, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Aastha Kumar
  • Kennedie Brooke Lauver
  • Ethan Virgil McDowell
  • Avery Ray Morder, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Peter Riley Nusbaum
  • Carter Piercey
  • Cortlynd Daniel Rhoades
  • Isabella Grace Rhoades
  • Jayden Rodriguez, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Tirenioluwa Adedamope Roluga
  • Rachel Hanna Rutkowski
  • Justin Sheetz
  • Peter Shivas
  • Connor George Stayer
  • Wyatt Allen Treece
  • Dylan Michael Valiga
  • Marisa Nicole White
  • Owen Benjamin Wise, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Hailey Elise Yaletsko

Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice
Altoona College

  • Victoria Chicchetti, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Rachel Lynn Gallagher
  • Devlin Love Rochelle Glenn, Cum Laude
  • Caden Suba, anticipated graduation date is August 2026

Bachelor of Science
Elementary and Early Childhood Education
College of Education

  • Nicholas Steven Beard
  • Bailey Joy Brumbaugh, Cum Laude
  • Morgan R Reighard
  • Caleigh Rudy
  • Abby Lyn Waltz
  • Christina Ann Zappa
  • Lilian Claire Zeigler, Cum Laude

Bachelor of Science
Human Development and Family Studies
Altoona College

  • Michael Andrew Balmforth
  • Abigail Grace Barger, Summa Cum Laude, Student Marshal
  • Briley Madision Cumming
  • Gabriel M Fasciano, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Mary Lou Finley
  • Morgan Cheyenne Fussell, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Kenneth M Futrell, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Jorgia Marie Harrington
  • Skylarr Dannielle-Anne Mitchell, Summa Cum Laude
  • Caden William Traggiai, Cum Laude

Bachelor of Science
Kinesiology
Altoona College

  • Brandon Shane Cherry
  • Kaden Ray Claar
  • Makayla Alexis Cogan
  • Hunter Michael Humenik
  • Zachary Thomas Ingold
  • Anthony Louis
  • Zachary Jacob Metzger
  • Jonathan Tyler Rauch
  • Camryn Lee Yaletsko

Bachelor of Science
Nursing
College of Nursing

  • Emma Louise Altemose
  • Ashtyn Torin Bickel
  • Jade Elizabeth Binetti
  • Jessica Jordan Burns
  • Mia Alexis Chin
  • Mason Andrew Dieck
  • Sarah Marie Goldenberg
  • Emily Jo Greenland, Cum Laude
  • Hailey Grace Hill
  • Julie A Ibarra
  • Neya Kratzer
  • Mckenzie Alisha Lang
  • Mayah Gabrielle Marasco
  • Mikhaela Merca
  • Kailyn Marie Patterson
  • McKenna Elizabeth Patterson
  • Ryan Samuel Patterson
  • Caelan Eileen Quirk
  • Kassie Jo Resig
  • Nia Simone Ross-Hubbard
  • Jasmine Marie Santos, Cum Laude
  • Samantha Dana Snowden
  • Julia Claire Tirino
  • Emily Faye Woolums
  • Breanna Barbara Yarnall
  • Jasmine Lynne Zeth

Bachelor of Science
Psychology
Altoona College

  • Kaimya Jaye Clark
  • Hailey Janel-Marie Colledge
  • David Galchenko
  • Andrew Roman
  • Ryleigh Grace Sprague, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Shannette Anyango Wahor

Division of Engineering, Science, and Technology

Bachelor of Arts
Environmental Studies
Altoona College

  • Isabella Anne Sheehan
  • Madelyn Rose Sosko
  • Falyn Elizabeth Verner

Bachelor of Science
Biology
Altoona College

  • Alexis Brooke Dell, Magna Cum Laude, Student Marshal
  • Mikaela Xitlali Hurtado
  • Corey Joseph Lion
  • Robyn Fay Perrotti
  • Vendala Kay Weitzel
  • Sarina Zhu

Bachelor of Science
Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
Altoona College

  • Johnathan Almanzar
  • Hunter William Hayes
  • Jose Alejandro Iglesias-Lopez
  • Ali Taqi, Summa Cum Laude
  • Colby Scott Yoder

Bachelor of Science
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology
Altoona College

  • Boyd Aaron Becker
  • Devin Scott Boyles
  • Blane Colton Davidson, Magna Cum Laude
  • Kyle J DeStefano
  • Tyler D Lee
  • Kevin Li
  • Philip John McCoy
  • Cameron Joseph Patterson
  • Abby Vaux, Magna Cum Laude
  • Ryan Verner
  • Korbin Lloyd Wilson

Bachelor of Science
Information Technology
Altoona College

  • Warren Dell

Bachelor of Science
Mechanical Engineering
Altoona College

  • Isabella Aritan
  • Ethan Matthew Diehl
  • Joshua Michael Emeigh
  • Owen Thomas France
  • Gregory Scott Hershberger
  • Elijah James Keith Lingenfelter
  • Ethan Rhys McCloskey
  • John Christopher Weichand

Bachelor of Science
Rail Transportation Engineering
Altoona College

  • Andrew Kennedy
  • Brett Albert McCoy, anticipated graduation date is August 2026
  • Baileigh Elizabeth Mount
  • Ryan Isaiah Perch
  • Thomas Joseph Scanlon, Summa Cum Laude, Student Marshal

Bachelor of Science
Security and Risk Analysis
Altoona College

  • Joshua Edward Balum
  • Destiny Zaniah Barber
  • Aidan Francis Donovan
  • Sarah Raeann Helsel
  • Adam Joshua Metzger
  • Nicholas Brennen Shoenfelt

All Other Campuses

Bachelor of Arts
Political Science
College of Liberal Arts

  • Dailyn Tiffany Hampton

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

Gary Weisel

Faculty Marshals

  • Shawn Bernecky
  • Jordan Bittner
  • Victor Brunsden
  • Deborah K Hommer
  • Lauren Jacobson
  • Laura K Palmer
  • Doug Page

National Anthem

By Francis Scott Key

O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Alma Mater

By Fred Lewis Pattee

For the glory of old State,
For her founders, strong and great,
For the future that we wait,
Raise the song, raise the song,

Sing our love and loyalty,
Sing our hopes that, bright and free,
Rest, O Mother dear, with thee.
All with thee, all with thee.

When we stood at childhood’s gate,
Shapeless in the hands of fate,
Thou didst mold us, dear old State,
Dear old State, dear old State.

May no act of ours bring shame
To one heart that loves thy name,
May our lives but swell thy fame,
Dear old State, dear old State!