Commencement Program — Spring 2026

To Our Guests

We welcome you to Penn State Behrend’s spring commencement ceremony.

Commencement, the solemn but joyful recognition of the graduates’ years of study, is an important occasion to the college and its faculty, staff, students, and guests. The ceremony will be streamed live at behrend.psu.edu so that graduates’ family members and friends who are unable to join us at Erie Insurance Arena tonight may be included in our celebration.

Please silence all mobile devices prior to the Presentation of Colors. When the Processional begins, we ask that you rise to welcome the graduates. Remain standing until all the candidates have reached their seats and during the singing of the National Anthem.

To avoid congestion and to maintain decorum in the ceremony, we ask that family members refrain from approaching the stage when taking pictures.

Commencement takes time and yet has special significance for each individual and family. Members of the audience are asked to remain in their seats throughout the ceremony so they do not disrupt the program or interfere with the special moments of others. Commencement is our most important occasion, and we ask you to respect its significance to the college community and to those who are being honored.

Everyone stands for the singing of the Alma Mater. Guests should remain seated throughout the Recessional to allow faculty, staff, and graduates to exit the arena.

Thank you for your cooperation. We hope that you will enjoy the ceremony and celebrate the achievements of our students.
 

Commencement Program

• Presentation of Colors: Pride of Pennsylvania Army ROTC Battalion Color Guard
• Academic Processional: Behrend Ceremonial Brass and Percussion Ensemble, Tess Jones, Conductor
  • Excerpts, Pomp and Circumstance, Edward Elgar; 
  • March of the Priests, W.A. Mozart; 
  • Hail the Conquering Hero, G.F. Handel
• National Anthem
  The audience is asked to stand.
• Greetings: Dr. Ralph Ford, Chancellor and Dean
• Welcome: Zane Lewis ’26
• Faculty Address: Dr. Lynne Beaty, Associate Professor of Biology
• Greetings from the Council of Fellows: Tesha Nesbit ’93, Chair, Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows
• Commencement Address: Tiffany Beers ’02, Vice President for Enterprise Innovation at VF Corporation
• Presentation of Candidates
  • Schreyer Honors College: Dr. Greg Filbeck ’13, Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
  • School of Science: Dr. Cora MacBeth ’96, Director, School of Science
  • School of Humanities and Social Sciences: Dr. Melanie Hetzel-Riggin, Director, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • School of Engineering: Dr. Timothy Kurzweg '94, James R. Meehl Director, School of Engineering
  • Black School of Business: Dr. Ozgun Demirag, Director, Black School of Business
  • Fox Graduate School: Dr. Alicyn Rhoades ’01, Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies
• Readers: 
  • Andrea Konkol ’00, ’03, Director, Enrollment Management
  • Kelly Wertz Shrout ’92, Director, Student Affairs
• Interlude: Behrend Ceremonial Brass and Percussion Ensemble
  • Amazing Grace, John Newton arr. John Beyrent
• Conferral of Degrees: Dr. Ralph Ford, Chancellor and Dean
• Alumni Association Induction: Jeffrey Lasky ’94, Penn State Behrend Alumni Society
• Alma Mater: Sarah Martin ’26
  The audience is asked to stand and join the singing.
• Farewell: Brooke Korb ’26
• Recessional: Behrend Ceremonial Brass and Percussion Ensemble
  • Selections from La Danserye, Tilman Susato

Commencement Marshals

College Marshal

• Dr. Ashutosh Deshmukh, Distinguished Professor of Accounting and Management Information Systems

Faculty Marshals

• Dr. Michael Campbell, Distinguished Professor of Biology
• Dr. Charisse Nixon, Professor of Psychology
• Dr. Craig Warren, Professor of English
• Dr. Elisa Wu, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
• Dr. Chuck Yeung, Professor of Physics
• Dr. Jessica Zhao, Professor of Finance
• Dr. Jun Zhou, Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Student Marshals

• Ramiro Becerra Jr., School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Owen Grubbs, Schreyer Honors College
• Lillie Holt, Black School of Business
• Alexander Irwin, School of Science
• Lindsey Pawlawski, School of Engineering
• Jacob Rey, Fox Graduate School
   

Program Notes

Academic Procession

The mace, which symbolizes the University President’s authority, is carried at the head of the academic procession by the College Marshal. It was carved by a local artist from native fiddleback maple and is engraved with the University seal and Glenhill Farmhouse.

Academic Dress

Academic dress had its beginnings in the Middle Ages. When the English universities were taking form in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the scholars were also clerics and adopted robes similar to those of their monastic orders. The use of academic costume in the United States has been continuous since 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.

The gown worn by those in the procession represents the degree held. The academic gown has pointed sleeves for the bachelor’s degrees, short or regular sleeves for the master’s degrees, and round, full sleeves for the doctorate. The doctoral gown has trimming—usually black velvet—on the sleeves.

The standard academic cap is the mortarboard, usually the color of the gown. Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the cap until the moment the degree is conferred.

The Hood

Hoods are usually worn only for the master’s degree or the doctorate, with the doctoral hood being the longer of the two and marked by distinguishing panels. Hoods are lined with the colors of the college or university in which the degree was granted. In tonight’s ceremony, Dr. Alicyn Rhoades, Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, drapes the hoods over the candidates’ shoulders.

Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor’s degrees are conferred by the University after the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 120 credits in a four-year major. The associate degree is conferred after the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 credits in one of the two-year majors. 

Schreyer Honors College

The Schreyer Scholars program is Penn State’s University-wide Honors program. Students who have completed the requirements of the program, including an Honors thesis or comprehensive examination, receive an Honors degree. Scholars graduating with an Honors degree receive a bronze medal designed by John A. Cook, professor of art emeritus and noted medalist. The medal, which bears the inscription “Intellectual Curiosity—Integrity of Purpose—Scholarly Achievement,” is presented tonight by Dr. Greg Filbeck, Vice Chancellor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Students graduating with an Honors degree are noted with a double dagger (^††) in this program.

Evan Pugh Scholars

Evan Pugh Scholars are students who were in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes. All have been full-time students for at least four semesters prior to selection. The award is named for Evan Pugh, Penn State’s first president (1859–1864). Evan Pugh Scholars are noted with numbers (3) in this program.

Scholastic Distinction 

Undergraduate candidates with academic distinction are in the top 12 percent of their graduating class in their college. The 12 percent is divided into 2 percent Summa Cum Laude, 4 percent Magna Cum Laude, and 6 percent Cum Laude. Distinction is subject to the candidates’ satisfaction of minimum criteria. Students graduating with scholastic distinction are noted with an asterisk (*) in this program.

Student Participants

Zane Lewis | Welcome

Zane Lewis, of Erie, is graduating with dual degrees in Accounting and Finance. He was Student Government Association president for two years, and he served on Behrend’s Strategic Planning Committee. He was also a Lion Ambassador, Welcome Week director, and recipient of the T. Reed Ferguson Award. He plans to work as an accountant for McGill, Power, Bell & Associates while preparing for the CPA exam.

Sarah Martin | Alma Mater

Sarah Martin, of Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, is graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering. She was a resident assistant during her time at Behrend. Her senior Engineering project focused on continuous fiber 3D printing. After graduation, she plans to start a career in biomedical device research.

Brooke Korb | Farewell

Brooke Korb, of Erie, is graduating with a degree in Biology and a minor in Politics and Government. Her activities included Alternative Spring Break, Lion Ambassadors, Science Ambassadors, and Women’s Engagement Council. She received the Christopher M. Geitner Award, the Guy W. Wilson Award, and the Aaron Meehl Biology Award. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health. 

Student Marshals

Ramiro Becerra Jr.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Ramiro Becerra Jr., of Erie, is graduating with a bachelor of science in Psychology. An Evan Pugh Scholar and member of the Behrend Honors program, he also was active as a teaching assistant and member of Psi Chi. He is pursuing a graduate degree in clinical psychology.

Owen Grubbs

Schreyer Honors College

Owen Grubbs, of Ohioville, Pennsylvania, is graduating with an Honors degree in Mathematics. An Evan Pugh Scholar and member of the Swimming and Diving Team, he received an award for research excellence in mathematics. He plans to pursue a graduate degree in mathematics.

Lillie Holt

Black School of Business

Lillie Holt, of West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, is graduating with an Accounting degree and a Financial Planning certificate. A member of the Bowling Team, she was named 2025-26 AMCC Bowler of the Year. She plans to earn CPA and CMA designations on her path to an accounting career.

Alexander Irwin

School of Science

Alexander Irwin, of Erie, is graduating with an Honors degree in Biology. He was active as a Lion Ambassador, resident assistant, and Lion Scout, and he received awards for academic excellence in biology. He plans to attend medical school at Western Michigan University.

Lindsey Pawlawski

School of Engineering

Lindsey Pawlawski, of Pittsburgh, is an Evan Pugh Scholar graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Biomedical Engineering. She was co-captain of the Women’s Soccer Team and won an award for mechanical engineering excellence. She will work in the nuclear division at Westinghouse.

Jacob Rey

Fox Graduate School

Jacob Rey, of Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, is graduating with a master’s degree in Quality and Manufacturing Management. He is an engineer at Waters Advanced Diagnostics, a division of Waters Corporation, and he plans to use his degree to develop as a leader at the company.
 

Faculty Speaker

Dr. Lynne Beaty

Associate Professor of Biology

Dr. Lynne Beaty is an associate professor of biology in the School of Science at Penn State Behrend. A herpetologist and freshwater behavioral ecologist, her teaching and research focus is on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of amphibians, reptiles, and freshwater organisms, with particular emphasis on the Lake Erie region.

Her research examines how environmental stressors shape behavior, phenotype, and population dynamics in freshwater organisms. Her work spans invasive species ecology, aquatic conservation, amphibian and reptile biology, and animal behavior, including collaborative projects on invasive snails, round goby, and biofluorescence in salamanders and snakes. Most of her research is conducted alongside undergraduate students.

Dr. Beaty has received Penn State Behrend’s Council of Fellows Teaching Award, the Dave Falvo Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the School of Science Outstanding Mentor Award.

She earned a doctorate in Zoology from Oklahoma State University, a master’s degree in Biology from Texas Tech University, and a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
 

Commencement Speaker

Tiffany Beers

Vice President of Enterprise Innovation, VF Corporation

Tiffany Beers ’02 is a pioneering engineer and innovation leader whose career spans footwear, consumer electronics, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability. As Vice President of Enterprise Innovation at VF Corporation, she supports innovation across a portfolio of ten iconic global brands, including The North Face, Vans, Timberland, and Altra. In this role, she partners across disciplines to accelerate product innovation, sustainability, and new capabilities.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Plastics Engineering Technology at Penn State Behrend and began her career at Newell Rubbermaid. She joined Nike in 2004, spending more than a decade as a senior innovator in the company’s Innovation Kitchen. There, she helped turn ambitious ideas into globally recognized products, leading development on technologically advanced footwear, including the Nike Mag with power laces, HyperAdapt 1.0, Air Yeezy, and Air Jordan 29.

In 2017, Beers expanded her impact beyond consumer products by joining Tesla as a Staff Technical Program Manager, focusing on the installation and startup of highly automated manufacturing systems. She transitioned to Logitech, leading in a new technical domain as Head of Audio Engineering for Gaming. Despite having no formal background in audio engineering, she built and led global teams responsible for industry-defining products, including the Aurora Collection, designed to prioritize inclusivity and representation in gaming.

Beers played a key role in launching Saysh, a women’s footwear brand founded by Olympic champion Allyson Felix, and appears in the 2025 documentary She Runs the World, which chronicles efforts to reshape sports and business for women and girls. She has been featured in Wired, the New York Times, and Netflix’s Abstract: The Art of Design. She is respected not only for the products she has helped bring to life, but for her leadership philosophy—one grounded in curiosity, courage, and the belief that innovation is most powerful when it opens doors for others.
 

2026 Candidates for Degrees: School of Science

Bachelor's Degrees

Biology, B.S.

• Lauren Adamski
• Madison Marie Alexander
• Zahra Alshareef
• Veronika Anastasiadis
• Kieffer Delaney Beckmann
• Kylee Janelle Beers
• Alyssa M. Belczyk
• John Thomas Blum
• Emma Lynn Carrier*
• Owen Andrew Carter
• Paul Anthony Connolly
• Norah Frances Dana
• Michael William Duceour
• Jacob J. Earley
• Alexandria N. Flook
• Megan Estela Louise Frank
• David Leslie Hauptman
• Alexander David Irwin***^††
• Himani V. Karia
• Kody James Klein
• Brooke Elizabeth Korb*
• Ashley Christine Lawrence
• Alix Marie Lytle
• Brigitte Jana Maxwell
• Natalie Mikula
• Abigail S. Miller
• Alizabeth Cynthia-kay Milner
• William Charles Neumaier
• Mikayla Beth Niggel
• Sara Elizabeth Nobach
• William Gerry Perham
• Ian John Ritz
• Kylee Lynn Schrader
• Heidi Pauline Schwartz
• Ashley Nicole Trout
• Anthony Alexei Tumino
• Duy Anh Vo
• Jillian Phoebe Warner
• Gretchen Alexa Zukowski

Chemistry, B.S.

• Mya Marie Kindle
• Ashley Michelle Kramer
• Benjamin Eric Lindquist***³
• Emma Santillo
• Samantha Mae Semler
• Elizabeth Anne Sutton
• Andrew Thomas Walker***²

Environmental Science, B.S. 

• Charlie Joseph Breindel
• Samantha Leigh Creamer
• Lindsay Elizabeth Deangelis
• Alex James Haskins***
• Samantha Allison Hulings
• Evan James Simmonsen
• Jacob Robert Tapler
• Haley Ann Wasiloski

Interdisciplinary Science and Business, B.S.

• Joshua Tal Kuplen
• Joseph Peter Lehotsky
• Olivia Lucia Whatmore

Mathematics, B.S.

• Mohammed Ibrahim Albattah
• Mason Charles Cleveland
• Dominic Lee Cronauer
• Nathan Michael DiGilio
• Owen Luke Grubbs***^††2
• Kelvin Li***^††3
• Michael Charles Penfield

Nursing, B.S.N. (Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing)

• Abigail Jean Anderson
• Dana Ann Barto
• Maura Elizabeth Benim*
• Jaelyn Ray Blood
• Grayson Michael Bona
• Emily Bortnick
• Madison Rae Brantley
• Rafael Campos
• Katelyn Crum
• Jadyn Ettley Danylko**
• Emma Jean Foht
• Arsema Gebretinsae Gebretsadik
• Lindsey Adeline Hartle*
• Noah Ozment Alexander Hockett
• Mackenzie Elizabeth Hughes
• Chanel Anthony Fitzroy James
• Lauren Taylor Jarmolowicz
• Lauren Catherine Kiser*
• Jason Edward Kloss
• Eugene Strauss Kruger
• Reilly M. Long
• Darragh Kathleen Martin
• Savannah Mayhugh
• Mya E. McElhinney
• Marissa Ann Moretti
• Riley E. Morningstar
• Arjun Naupaney
• Rachel Morgan Nutt
• Jessica Parker
• Karla Pastrana Mercado
• Emir Pehlic
• Alyssa Pristas
• Isabella Ann Recker
• Emma Irene Regel
• Janelly Rivera
• Alexis Dawn Roseberry
• Emily Kay Rouse
• Christa Rose Schneider
• Cailyn Elizabeth Sheirer
• Delaney Nicole Sierka
• Timothy Joseph Simon
• Kaitlyn Marie Smith
• Madison Amberly Smith
• Alexios Anthony Sotus
• Stephen Andrew Starr*
• William James Strassburg
• Meghan J. Swain
• Anjana Tamang
• Kseniya Andreyevna Tischenko
• Jason Donald Tubbs
• Aubrey Kathleen Wishnok-Smith
• Amanda Elizabeth Woods

Physics, B.S.

• Kelvin Li***^††3
• Joseph Michael Sciscio
• Zachery James Willard

Science, B.S.

• Evan Thomas Swanson

Secondary Education in Mathematics, B.S.

• Madelyn Elizabeth King*

2026 Candidates for Degrees: School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Associate Degree

Human Development and Family Studies, A.S. (College of Health and Human Development)

• Kelly Lynn Kubiak

Bachelor's Degrees

Creative Writing, B.F.A.

• Francis Momolu Gardiner

Digital Media, Arts, and Technology, B.A.

• Ashlynn Marie Allgeier
• Hadleigh Jae Bills
• Stephen Xavier Catledge
• Alexander Charles Fisher
• Nathan Louis Hammer
• Owen Helm
• Sean Joseph George Martin
• Lauren Gabrielle McCurdy
• Raashee Mishra
• Remington Matthew Orange**^††
• Temitope Sakote
• Michael Roy Simons*
• Charlie Vazquez
• Gabriella Paige Vozar

Elementary and Early Childhood Education, B.S. (College of Education)

• Oliver Brooke
• Mazee Corradi
• Rebecca Sue Curtin
• Alexandria Marie Damond
• Cyera R. Denk
• Taylor Marie Faulkner
• Morgan Nicole Goray^††
• Veira Charlynne Gorniak
• Katelyn Annette Gregg
• Emma Louise Hopson
• Kylie Faith Jones*
• Chloe Jo McLaughlin
• Lina Sinan Salman
• Marissa Marie Saturley
• Megan Kathleen Scott
• Alexis Lynn Stanley

English, B.A.

• Stephen James Braho
• Paisley Zofia-Calen Mangold
• Benjamin Adam Mischler

History, B.A.

• Theodore Joseph Carl Buchanan
• Ina Joella Frietze
• Lauren Rachel Fried
• Justice Tage Greene
• Benjamin Adam Mischler
• Logan Jerome Salas
• Cameron Schleicher
• Ethan Wesley Turner
• Wade Franklin Williams
• Connor Scott Witkowski

Media and Communication, B.A.

• Alexis Edgett
• Rylan Adelle Farnham
• Rebecca Krenzer**
• John David Mura
• Rachel Marie Myers
• Zachary David Vrenna

Multidisciplinary Arts, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Humanities, B.A.

• Olivia Catherine Barthelemy
• Lauren Elizabeth Green
• Leah Sheri Kammerdeiner
• Mars McAninch
• Paige K. McQuiston

Political Science, B.A.

• Kendall Elizabeth DeMarco
• Jada Donatien
• Bella Angileen Eibl
• Ina Joella Frietze
• Sunan Falah Hasan
• Gabriella Diane Lambrecht**^††
• Vincent Frederick McFarland
• Jack Christopher Mong
• Rachel Pineo
• Chloe G. Regan
• Nicholas A. Russo
• Vida Libertad Sevilla
• Yanis Sid Mohand
• Chloe D’Anne Sotus**
• Ethan Wesley Turner
• Karissa Jade Will

Psychology, B.A.

• Adieb K. Al-Jayashi
• Ceda Corrine DiNunzio
• Claire Jobson
• Mahleah Kearse Lewis
• Jillian Elizabeth Lourens
• Jemma Rose Mooney
• Ian Patrick Murray
• Morgan Paige Neville
• Nathaniel William Showers
• Daniel Lee Stovall III
• Shawna Thompson
• Emily Faith Warrene

Psychology, B.S.

• Murtada T. Al-Saad
• Julia Lynn Anders
• Ramiro Becerra Jr.***³
• Elle Renae Blakeslee*
• Gabrielle E. Brezler
• Victoria L. Cain**
• Ellie Dolores Corbin*
• Morgan Elizabeth Felmlee
• Megan Estela Louise Frank
• Kamryn Marie Gates-Bowersox
• Julia Jacobs
• Paige Elizabeth Johnson
• Morgan Christine McQueeney
• Matthew James Meinert
• Khadijah Embrya Nickson
• Angelina Robin Scoumis
• Michael Alexander Sopko
• Leah Ann Ward
• Jaymin Christopher Willis
• Parker Pearce Yohe

Human Development and Family Studies, B.S. (College of Health and Human Development)

• Ava Marie Russell

2026 Candidates for Degrees: School of Engineering

Associate Degrees

Electrical Engineering Technology, A.ENGT.

• Karl Gregory Kirschner

Mechanical Engineering Technology, A.ENGT.

• Zachary Ryan Harpster
• Kaylin Rae Jacoby
• Tyler Michael Vargeson

Bachelor's Degrees

Computer Engineering, B.S.

• Dania Nasreen Binti Abd Aziz
• Dominic Lee Cronauer
• Morgan Theresa Genung
• Dawson Paul Reese*
• Andrew Parker Rosen
• Muhammad Nabil Ajwad Bin Shaiful Bahri

Computer Science, B.S.

• Valentina Micaela Aguirre Moreno
• Mohammed Ibrahim Albattah
• Isaac Bruner
• Bryan Joseph Caskey
• Inesa Cosic**
• Nathan Michael DiGilio
• Jacob John Dzikowski
• Riley Nicole Elder
• Nathan Englert*
• Dylan Michael Fisher
• Dheeraj Gollu**
• Liam Thomas Good
• Collin Hicks
• Alexander Thomas Hunt
• Tori Marie McClelland
• Michael Anthony Myers
• Michael Charles Penfield
• Georges Guy Jonathan Piatchou
• Joel David Sander**
• Ian Michael Timchak**
• Akash M. Vajjala
• Justin Williams

Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, B.S.

• Deem Alrashed
• Sean Patrick Parks
• Abdulah B. Sadeik

Electrical Engineering, B.S.

• Zane Anderson
• Devyn Ann Bailey
• Nathan Tyler Benden
• Joseph Robert Dannhardt
• Vincent John DeBernardo
• Andrew J. Gerber
• Alec Joshua Greenblatt
• Lucian Jordan Hall**
• Jonathan Theodore Hinton
• Nathaniel Edward Kaboly*^††
• Daniel Jason Kowatch
• Mason Matthew McNany
• Landon Joshua Moore
• William Kenneth Murphy
• Daniel Park
• Matthew Arthur Peters
• Cole J. Stephens
• Hayden Anthony Travers

Industrial Engineering, B.S.

• Julia Rose Balaski
• Evan Connor Dougal
• Felicia Marie Englert
• Antonio David Faraone
• Anthony Jerome Farrar
• Kailee Alyssa Frenn*
• Hannah Riehlee Kemmet
• Alison Lee Litwiler**
• Teagan Christopher Maist
• Ashton Andrew Nort
• Jubin Jignesh Panchal
• Hunter Steven Savitz
• Ashley R. Secrest

Mechanical Engineering, B.S.

• William Ellroy Aikens*^††
• Yaakoob Yousif Al-Abdullah
• Perry Robert Bean
• Justin Coleman
• Nathan Samuel Coletta
• Alexander James Cotton
• Karson Eugene Cropp*
• Riley Anton Davis**
• Zachary Michael Dudzinski
• Daniel Easly
• Steven Charles Fedell
• Trent Russell Fellows
• Nicholas Michael Formato
• Shawn Henry Foster
• Madison Nicole Gannon
• George Carter Gresh
• Grace Marie Hasbrouck
• Matthew Joseph Haschalk
• Chloe Marie Heeter
• Elizabeth Lee Hoff
• Kyle David Hoffman
• Benjamin Edward Hollerman
• Tyler Michael Holman
• Joshua D. Hunter
• Latif Kakule^††
• Kyleigh Allison Koval
• Brian Walter Larsen
• Sarah Anne Martin
• Ava Marvin
• Jacob Richard McCune***
• Zachary Peter Miller
• Caleb Gene Minner
• Bryce Butler Nill
• Marshall Nock
• Lindsey Pawlawski***²
• Owen George Peterson
• Luke M. Peton^††
• Charles Anthony Pirnat
• Aidan James Reinsel
• Lewis P. Rhodes*
• Ian C. Richter
• Liam Francis Robinson*
• Austin James Rodgers
• Lucas Michael Rodgers
• Shane Andrew Rupert
• Nevin Rutherford
• Aiden Matthew Seeman
• Abigail Rose Shank
• Isabel Lucy Sheridan
• Tyler Russell Speicher
• Abigail Allyse Tingley^††
• Ethan Edward Tinker
• Aaron John VanDyke**¹
• Ryan Christopher Wick
• Toby Jacob Williams

Mechanical Engineering Technology, B.S.

• Natalie Grace Barkley
• Conner Best
• Joshua Jay Brown
• Zachary Peyton Dellinger
• Matthew James Drabant
• Daniel Christopher Ellis
• Jay Douglas Fry
• Ryan M. Gildersleeve
• Trevor Allan Hamilton
• Silvio Ionadi
• Charles James Lacey
• Kristofer William Laser Jr.
• Dalton Jackson Mentch
• Brendan Charles Nangle
• Sawyer Robert Prince
• Melvin Lenin Ramos
• Benjamin James Ruland
• John Scaturro
• Alexander Charles Schlarp
• Katherine M. Sickelsmith
• Logan David Stewart
• Mitchell Robert Troha
• Conner Maxwell Wagner
• Jaydon James Warnick
• Tyler A. Wenzel

Plastics Engineering Technology, B.S. 

• Michael Lewis Carrarini 
• Landon Douvlos 
• Kaitlyn Michaela Ezzone 
• Madison Nicole Kramer 
• Joshua Martin 
• Chloe Jade Mascarello 
• Adam Paul Ozegovich 
• Andrew Joel Pfister 
• Shawn Ryan Snatchko 

Polymer Engineering and Science, B.S. 

• Angelina Bree Compeggie^††
• Hannah Renee Esek
• Reese Alexandra Gresgott*
• Joshua D. Jergens
• Mitchell Alexander Krovisky
• Ethan Kuriga
• Brendan Earl Luce
• Nicholas Maguda
• Logan M. Soltis
• Hunter Drake Troutman

Software Engineering, B.S. 

• Ryan Adeli
• Ali Thamir A Aldaghishy
• Elias Ali
• Ethar Ali
• Silas Christopher Ashton
• Mateo William Avila
• Noah Francis Basinger
• Olivia Kay Beck
• Alexander Beedle
• Celeste Lilith Beltz
• Robert Allen Billings
• Mason Robert Blankenberg
• Leonard Brennan
• Ryan Michael Brooks
• Timothy Elliott Burke
• Beatriz Ceschin Antunes*
• Adalia Chen
• Chen-Hsiu Chiang
• Xander Daniel Davis
• Ethan Joseph Delanko**
• Grant Maximus Deuterman
• Joshua Speakman Ewart**
• William Vigar Freeburn
• John Kapa’a Fugate*
• David Gonzalez
• Dillon Sean George Gonzalez
• Matthew David Graham
• Jacob Harsch
• Amru Abbas Bin Hassan
• Gregory High
• Abdur-Rahman Humza Igram
• Mina Karagoz
• Owen Clark Larmon**
• Gregory Shane Lawrence
• Rocco Alexander Leporace
• Jacob Loucks
• Nicholas Ryan Machinga
• Azaria Mehanovic
• Kaitlyn Renee Milcoff
• Collin Miller
• Christopher B. Mills
• Christopher J. Moore
• Calvin Anders Nordstrom
• Jacob Kenneth Norgard
• Christopher D. Page
• Connor Joseph Pflugh
• Daniel Joseph Pora
• Brian Thomas Powers
• Jacob Richard Riggs
• Arecelis Mari Rivera
• Konrad Raymond Ruckdeschel
• Hope Rose Rutkowski
• Mariam Saeed
• Bilal Bashir Siddiq
• Trey William Speidel
• Dylan Thomas Stock
• Skye Renee Stout
• Rijul Sudesh
• Anthony John Velcko
• Tristan Cole Weldon
• Justin A. Wendelboe
• Justin Michael Wyffels
• Giovanni Antonio Zarrillo Olmedillo
• Aarick Sean Zook**

2026 Candidates for Degrees: Black School of Business

Associate Degrees

General Business, A.S.

• Abeer Fayez Aldarwish
• Nicholas Dinner
• Brody Michael Ferrie
• Kayla Rose Forsythe
• Zachery Ryan Lowe

Bachelor's Degrees

Accounting, B.S.

• Jacob Riley Awenowicz
• Sophia Madeline Bakus
• Corrine Elizabeth Bigley
• Joshua Allan Ciotti
• Porter DeMink
• Alexa Rae Dubos
• Logan Joseph Fiolek
• Austin Michael Guzowski
• Lillie Jean Holt***
• Emily Ann Jackovic
• Rowan Elaine Jones
• Zavier Richard Justik
• Andrew Robert Kupniewski*
• Alexander Jay LaBarge
• Zane Ryan Edward Lewis
• Bethany P. Litwiler
• Collin Terrence Miller
• Jonathan Brian Nageotte
• Jessica Subin Park
• Sidney Elizabeth Paterline
• Josiah Moses Perino
• Louis Angelo Sebastian
• Andy Sit
• Jonathan James Slusser
• Anna Jean Smith
• Cody Michael Stronghart
• Ashley Marie Sweeney
• Vincenzo Tripoli
• Cristina Renee Truchanowicz**
• Jake Anthony Walden
• Dominic Leo Zambanini

Business Economics, B.S.

• Zavier Richard Justik
• Owen Matthew Kagle
• Eli Nicholas Karnavas
• Colton Glenn Minerva*
• Ryan Porter Passmore
• Samantha Joan Perseo**
• Charles Michael Prucher
• Cadence Reign Rand
• Ashley Marie Sweeney
• Edward Alex Sychuk

Economics, B.A.

• Jack Christopher Mong

Finance, B.S.

• Ahmed Al Dhaheri
• Thomas Albanese
• Sheena Beth Allen
• Samantha L. Ambron
• David Matthew Bacino
• Elaine Baik
• Robert Leland Barker III
• Shae Kathleen Bojarski
• Russell Stephen Bowers
• Joseph Brown
• Jonas Anthony Bruno
• Jonathan David Carrillo
•  Vincent Angelo Catanzarite
• John Peter Chena***
• Joshua Allan Ciotti
• Alex Colbey
• Laura Alexa Marie Cortese***
• Alex Dayoub*
• Dominic Joseph DelleCurti
• Coty J. Dolan
• Thomas Adam Dolgos
• Elliott John Dressler
• Maguire Joseph Egal
• William Isaac Falquez
• Derek Joseph Garcia*
• Francis Momolu Gardiner
• Samuel Greene
• Rebekka B. Hamann
• Ciera Hill
• Jiamu Huang
• Jacob Daniel Hubany
• Lucas Joseph Huntley
• Zackery Wayne Hutcheson
• Lea Joseph Jaber
• Emily Ann Jackovic
• Yassen Amro Kafagi
• Owen Matthew Kagle
• Eli Nicholas Karnavas
• Austin Kellner
• Nicholas John Kerner
• Marios Koranis
• Cody Richard Krieg
• Andrew Robert Kupniewski*
• Alexander Jay LaBarge
• Anita Elizabeth Laughner
• Sang Yoon Lee
• Zane Ryan Edward Lewis
• Jose Angel Maceda
• Joshua Magnon*
• Logan Guy Manross
• Kayla Mark
• Danielle Nicole McMillen
• Julia Melnik
• Collin Terrence Miller
• Alexia Michelle Morgan
• John E. Morse
• Bianca Myrie
• Reilly Luke Nickles
• Josiah Moses Perino
• Ethan Blair Rabess
• Cadence Reign Rand
• Hunter Alan Reid
• Luke Omeara Rizzo
• Kaylei Michelle Roccia
• Ethan Wade Rowe
• Bruce Edward Runnels II
• Vincent Michael Santanna
• Farina Shaw
• Cooper Sieb
• Raphael Solomon
• Elizabeth Morgan Spooner
• Jeffrey Karl Szebalskie
• Jarid Tillman
• Vincenzo Tripoli
• Carolyn Margaret Wacker*
• Jake Anthony Walden

Functional Data Analytics, B.S.

• Brock Tanner Kiefer

Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies, B.S.

• Morgan Taylor Altavilla
• Mason Patrick Basinger
• Brian William Blake
• Madilyn Sue Boyer
• James Anthony Caputo Jr.
• Noah J. Carben
• Chancellor R. Chase
• Dominic Joseph DelleCurti
• Jaheim Everage
• Ethan Daniel Friedman
• Jacob Alexander Jenkins
• Almin Kalabic
• Varshith S. Kumar 
• Tyler Daniel Salvini
• Mark Joseph Sanford
• Miralem Saracevic
• Rocco Benjamin John Tarli^#
• Austin Michael Woodward
• Matthew Joseph Yaple

International Business, B.S.

• Ahmed Al Dhaheri
• Ryan Carpico
• Janelle Zoi Elejalde
• Bethany P. Litwiler

Management Information Systems, B.S.

• Yoel Mehari Asgedom
• Adam Glenn Black***²
• Anne Klingensmith
• Michael Morgan
• Jessica Subin Park
• Tamanna Sharma
• Elizabeth Nicole Thompson

Marketing, B.S.

• Logan Matthew Bresee
• Alexia Ann Brown
• Ryan Carpico
• Noah Gerald Adolphus Changlee
• Sabrina Marie Cole
• Benjamin Max Daum
• William Jason Dean
• Janelle Zoi Elejalde
• Colby Freyermuth
• Heather Elise Hansen
• Vanessa Lauren Huber
• Zoe Caitlyn Magee
• Rachel Matteson
• Caden Thomas Mealy
• Julia Melnik
• Owen James Minford
• Elsie M. Morda
• Aleksander Nowaczek
• Morgan Rae Orelski

Project and Supply Chain Management, B.S.

• Edis Alicusic
• Morgan Taylor Altavilla
• Ian Nicholas Anderson
• Jack William Baumgartel
• Brian William Blake
• Zachary Stone Bloshuk**
• Aaron Christopher Bohley
• Madilyn Sue Boyer
• Samantha Joann Bristow
• Alexia Ann Brown
• Ethan Thomas Callaghan*
• James Anthony Caputo Jr.
• Jack Ryan Crouthamel
• Jack Crowley*
• Ethan Daniel Friedman
• Jacob Daniel Hubany
• Jacob Alexander Jenkins
• Almin Kalabic
• Varshith S. Kumar
• Thy Anh Lam
• Jacob Lenhardt
• Katelyn Janelle Mayer
• Liliana Mendoza-Guevara
• Thomas William Nicely
• Ryan Porter Passmore
• Mark Joseph Sanford
• Ethan Matthew Schaefer
• Blaise Elliott Stalk
• Cody J. Stinson
• Elizabeth Nicole Thompson
• Garrett Ryan Welsh
• Dylan Scott Wentz
• Austin Michael Woodward

Information Sciences and Technology, B.S. (College of Information Sciences and Technology)

• Brytanne Lee McWilliams

2026 Candidates for Degrees: Fox Graduate School

Master’s Degrees

Business Administration, M.B.A.

• Angela Marie Belack
• Jill Irene Blair
• Ryan Alexander Campbell
• Andrew Christopher Cassano
• Michaela Chryslin Florence
• Lauren Freyvogel
• Kristy Guerrier
• Mairim Irizarry Perez
• Danielle Ciara Jackson
• Dave Ryan Jean Paulemon
• Grace Marie Jones
• Conor Andrew Kessy
• Demitrios Athanasios Lampros
• Haley Morgan McCall
• Matthew Robert McDonough
• Andrew Wayne Moul
• Samuel Joseph Petrarca
• Xander Thomas Robertshaw
• Jacob Thackeray Squire
• RyKai Wright

Clinical Psychology, M.A.

• Cedric Tang Nowatzyk

Project Management, M.P.M.

• Zhanee A. Anderson
• Sabahat Aziz
• Briana Makenzie Balsbough
• Stephanie C. Bekelja
• Autumn Jane Biebel
• Aziz Chenouda
• Samiha Nuran Choudhury
• April Cockburn
• Shaekinah Cyrus
• Diane Damino
• Jamie Lynn Dunlap
• Tia Jackson
• Agnieszka Lechwar
• Nancy Luu
• Christopher Anthony Lynch Jr.
• Shahriar Niroomand
• Keira B. O’Hara
• Haley Onkotz
• Sophia Alexander Orr
• Hailey Patrice Pletz
• Hailee Marie Shuman
• Anisa Kouthong Siharath
• Julie Ann Vasbinder
• Tania S. Walsh
• Gabriel Yurkanin

Quality and Manufacturing Management, M.M.M.

• Salieri Santino Allen
• Kyle Henry Hemond
• Beatrice Kayumba Kay
• Mitchel C. Ray
• Jacob Walker Rey
• Aaron Lee Teel
• Nicholas P. Vitelli

Vision of a Behrend Graduate

Penn State Behrend has a history and future of developing thinkers, creators, and innovators who build opportunities out of challenges, competence out of curiosity, and proficiency out of potential.

We produce graduates who are prepared for success in their professions, passionate about their work, and committed to lifelong learning; who are open to new experiences and diverse perspectives; and who possess interdisciplinary knowledge and a global and ethical outlook—all critical to thriving in an ever-changing world.

We empower our students through highly engaged instruction, research, and out-of-class opportunities, combined with a distinctive Open Laboratory model of learning and discovery that connects students to business, industry, alumni, and community partners—giving them real-world experiences while benefitting these partners.

With purpose, we develop graduates who are widely recognized for the contributions they make to their professions, to their communities, and to the world around them.

Penn State 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!

About Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend, a four-year and graduate college of Penn State, offers students the resources and opportunities of a major research university in a welcoming student-centered learning environment. As part of Pennsylvania’s land-grant university, the college works to advance the economic, social, and intellectual welfare of our region through research and outreach.

Penn State Behrend was established in 1948 with Mary Behrend’s gift of her 400-acre Glenhill Farm. She made the gift in memory of her husband, Ernst, co-founder with his father and brother of the Hammermill Paper Company, which became part of International Paper.

The college now offers nearly 50 degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's degree levels. From the first class of 146 students at what was then known as the Behrend Center, enrollment has grown to nearly 4,400 students learning on campus and online in Behrend programs offered through Penn State World Campus. Behrend alumni number more than 40,000.

Behrend ranks among the top public educational institutions in the state for student-to-faculty ratio, first-year student retention rate, and graduation rate, according to data from U.S. News & World Report.

More than 1,200 Behrend students live on campus in traditional-style rooms or in suites or apartments. There is an abundance of activities for students to get involved in outside the classroom, including 140 student clubs and organizations, twenty-four NCAA Division III teams, and intramural sports.

Today’s 854-acre campus includes Knowledge Park, where 20 companies engage with the college through the Open Lab model of learning: Students and faculty experts collaborate with external partners to develop new products, processes, and services, extending their learning beyond the classroom.

Research is a critical area of focus for the college. Annually, Behrend funds undergraduate research opportunities, and faculty members participate in more than $8 million in sponsored research. In outreach, the college has more than two dozen centers, programs, and initiatives serving business and industry, area youth, and the community. Each year, Behrend contributes more than $175 million to the Commonwealth’s economy.

Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows

Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows members serve as valued advisers to the college Chancellor; as advocates for the mission, vision, and activities of the college; and as ambassadors for the college in the Erie region, across the country, and around the world.

Council members represent a cross-section of business, industrial, service, and community organizations and contribute their professional expertise and personal insights to conversations about the future direction of Penn State Behrend.

Members may provide counsel on matters ranging from strategic planning and community and business relations to fundraising and alumni affairs.

The business of the Council is managed by a Board of Directors.

Focused activities of the group are undertaken through four committees: Executive; Governance; Communications and Engagement; and Development.

Board of Directors

• Chair: Tesha Nesbit
• Director Emeritus: Gary L. Clark
• Director Emeritus/University Trustee Emeritus: Robert D. Metzgar
• Directors:
  • Samuel P. Black III
  • Bishop Dwane Brock
  • Dr. Christopher C. Clark 
  • Michael Colpoys 
  • Dr. Ralph M. Ford 
  • Dr. Priscilla H. Hamilton 
  • Thomas C. Hoffman II Esq.
  • Karen Burton Horstman 
  • Philip Katen
  • Brian M. Kupchella 
  • J. Scott McCain 
  • Ann Karmazon Scott 
  • Matthew W. Totzke 
  • Gregory M. Yahn 
  • Dr. Halina M. Zyczynski
• Executive Director: Andrea Konkol
• Ex Officio Director: Jeffrey Lasky
• Secretary/Treasurer: Britt Daehnke

Penn State Alumni Association

You’re a Lion for life, and you belong in the Alumni Association.

Congratulations on your graduation! You’ve earned your place in the largest and most powerful alumni network in the world.

The Penn State Alumni Association connects you to the global community of more than 800,000 Penn Staters and keeps your connection to Dear Old State strong. It also includes more than 30 benefits, including exclusive discounts, access to our local chapters, and members-only networking and career services.

Benefits of belonging include local connections, LionPerks discounts, career resources, networking, and exclusive content.

Watch the mail for your welcome kit and make the most of your complimentary one-year membership.

Visit the Penn State Alumni Association new alumni page