Pennsylvania Western University will celebrate the academic success of nearly 900 fall graduates during simultaneous commencement ceremonies at the California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Education, Arts, and Humanities; the College of Science, Technology and Business; and the College of Health Sciences and Human Services will participate in the 10 a.m. ceremonies.
"We are committed to providing our students with the skills and knowledge they need to make an impact on the world,” said PennWest President Dr. Jon Anderson. “Our graduates exemplify the best of PennWest, and we are honored to celebrate their accomplishments as they transition from learners to leaders."
Faculty mace bearers will represent their colleagues at each ceremony. The mace bearer distinction emphasizes the importance of faculty in PennWest’s academic environment and the central role that faculty play in the academic and personal development of students.
California
Dr. Brenda Fredette, dean of the College of Science, Technology and Business, will serve as master of ceremonies at California, and Dr. Susanne Fenske, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, Student Affairs, University Police and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, will confer associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon graduates during the ceremony.
Leading the academic procession by carrying the Ceremonial Mace will be Dr. Beverly Ross, associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, History and Politics.
Courtney Kiesling, a Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, native, will deliver the student address. Kiesling will graduate summa cum laude with a degree in middle level education – mathematics.
At California, Kiesling served as a volunteer coordinator for the Office of Volunteer Programs and Service Learning as well as an ambassador and student event coordinator for the PennWest Pantry. She is member of the Student Government Association, Gamma Sigma Sigma service fraternity, Student Honors Advisory Board and Alpha Lambda Delta.
Additional speakers include Barry Niccolai ’93, from PennWest’s Council of Trustees, and A. Tereasa Rerko ’79, ’20, president of the California Alumni Association.
Music will be provided by the PennWest California choir, directed by Yugo Sava Ikach, and organist Yana Tyulkova.
Clarion
Craig Coleman, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, will serve as master of ceremonies at Clarion, and PennWest President Dr. Jon Anderson will confer associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon graduates during the ceremony.
Dr. Ellen Foster, a retired faculty member from the Department of English, Philosophy and Modern Languages will serve as mace bearer.
Rachel Kister, a summa cum laude graduate from Sykesville, Pennsylvania, will deliver the student address at Clarion. Kister will earn a degree in communications with a concentration in public speaking.
While attending Clarion, Kister has served as the student representative on PennWest’s Council of Trustees, events chair for the University Activities Board and social media manager for the Clarion Students’ Association.
Additional speakers include Neil Weaver ’00, a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors and vice chair of the University Success Committee, Kathy Pape ’75, chair of PennWest’s Council of Trustees, and Samantha Thauvette ’09, president-elect of the Clarion Alumni Association.
Music will be provided by Clarion vocalist Gianna Battaglia.
Edinboro
Dr. Mary Paniccia Carden, dean of the College of Education, Arts, and Humanities, will serve as master of ceremonies at Edinboro, and Dr. James Fisher, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will confer associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon graduates during the ceremony.
Dr. Laurie Parendes, a professor in the Department of Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences, will lead the academic procession by carrying the Ceremonial Mace.
Erie, Pennsylvania, native Ellie Keating, who will graduate summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders, was selected to deliver the student address at Edinboro.
While at Edinboro, Keating has served as a community assistant in the Office of Residence Life and Housing, an ambassador for the Communications and Speech Disorders Department and a member of the Student Government Association. She was also a Highland Ambassador and a member of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association.
Danny Jones ’13 will provide remarks on behalf of the PennWest Council of Trustees, and Mitch Kallay ’90 will speak on behalf of the Edinboro Alumni Association.
Members of Edinboro Army ROTC will present the colors at the beginning of the ceremony. Music will be provided by Edinboro Pipes and Drums, directed by Palmer Shonk, and the PennWest Edinboro Singers, directed by Cody Mott.