Penn State York is celebrating its fifth annual fall commencement at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, in the new Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at the campus. This is the first commencement to take place in the new facility which opened in August. The ceremony is free to the public.
John J. Romano, vice president for commonwealth campuses, is the commencement speaker. A familiar face in York, Romano served as the campus executive officer at Penn State York from 1985 to 1993 and was instrumental in helping the campus gain funding and support for its new facility featuring the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center, the Lee R. Glatfelter Library and the John T. and Paige S. Smith Atrium.
Romano chairs the Council of Campus Chancellors and serves on various other University committees including the Academic Leadership Council, President's Council, Facilities Naming Committee, University Faculty Senate and Facilities Resources Committee, to name just a few. Before his current assignment, Romano served as the vice provost and dean for enrollment management and administration and affiliate associate professor of education at Penn State, which included administrative responsibility for enrollment management and the offices of Undergraduate Admissions, Student Aid and University Registrar. Romano served as assistant and then associate dean for undergraduate studies and assistant professor of social sciences in the College of the Liberal Arts and for one year as the interim director of the School of Journalism. Before his appointment at Penn State, Romano was the assistant to the vice president for student affairs at the University of Delaware.
Romano received his bachelor of science in secondary education (physics) from the State University of New York, College at Oswego. He holds a master of science from Springfield College in guidance and counseling and a doctoral degree in counselor education from Penn State.
In addition to hearing from Romano, Penn State York will continue its tradition of open microphone where graduates can speak for a moment. The top associate degree, baccalaureate and master's degree graduates also will say a few words. A number of former Penn State York students who completed their degree work at an upper division campus of Penn State will return to their home campus, York, to receive their degrees during the ceremony. Penn State York offers the first two years of more than 160 majors.
The campus also will recognize baccalaureate students who began their work at Penn State York and were eligible to move on to University Park or other campuses to complete their degree work.
A reception, sponsored by the Penn State York Alumni Society, will follow the ceremony.