A capacity crowd of more than 1,000 filled Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center for the 41st annual spring commencement held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13. Those who could not attend were able to view the ceremony on the campus’ website. Graduates heard from a variety of speakers with messages from the importance of education to preparing for careers in a global economy.
Joel M. Rodney, chancellor of Penn State York, gave the commencement address and reminded students about the many changes that have occurred in the world and at Penn State York during their time as students.
“Penn State York has changed to prepare you for success,” said Rodney. “The campus has grown from four international students just a few years ago to 45,” he said.
Rodney stressed the importance of globalization and the many ways in which the campus has prepared students to compete in the world. He shared that York was the first commuter campus to earn an international designation from the University and that efforts are continuing to provide a variety of opportunities for all students.
Rodney will retire from the University effective July 31, and has accepted an appointment as visiting director of global partnerships for the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland, Fla.
Before he leaves, Rodney hopes to have the new certificate in entrepreneurial studies fully developed and operational, advance the goals of Penn State York’s capital campaign, and continue to improve services to students -- especially those from around the world.
Leonard J. Berkowitz, associate professor of philosophy at the campus, who is retiring after 39 years of service to the University, also spoke.
“I love this campus and the University,” said Berkowitz. “Mostly I love teaching and students.”
Berkowitz reminded students that if they only studied their major they would just be trained but because of their study of the general education subjects such as art, English, philosophy etc., they are educated. He also noted that the study of their major will help get them to obtain a job but that their general education study will help make it all worthwhile.
In addition to hearing from Rodney and Berkowitz, the audience heard from numerous students who shared brief comments as part of Penn State York’s continuing tradition of the open microphone. Students thanked parents, spouses and children for support and some recognized faculty and staff members who helped them along their journey at the campus. Christopher E. Balderson, Red Lion, Pa., the top associate degree graduate; Katie L. Rice, Mount Joy, Pa., the top baccalaureate degree graduate; and Kristin N. Stasko, York, Pa., representing the master’s degree graduates; also spoke.
Penn State York awarded 20 master of education in teaching and curriculum degrees; 73 baccalaureate degrees; seven in bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences; four bachelor of arts in English; three bachelor of arts in letters, arts, and sciences; 17 bachelor of science in business; nine bachelor of science in electro-mechanical engineering technology; 16 bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; 16 bachelor of science in human development and family studies; and one bachelor of science in science. The campus also awarded 22 associate degrees: six in business administration; three in electrical engineering technology; three in human development and family studies; two in information sciences and technology; five in letters, arts, and sciences (liberal arts); and three in mechanical engineering technology.
Eleven Penn State York students who completed their work at an upper division campus of Penn State will return to York, their home campus, to receive a degree during the ceremony. Penn State York offers the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors and those students comprise most of the campus.
The following students received associate degrees: Daniel J. Andrews, Mount Joy, business administration; Rollin W. Apgar, Glen Rock, letters, arts, and sciences; Christopher E. Balderson, Red Lion, information sciences and technology; Carin S. Becker, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Jamil M. Bennett, York, mechanical engineering technology; Bond D. Brewer, Dover, business administration; Brett H. Carnahan, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Lorelei H. Delp, York, human development and family studies; Stefania M. Ferrante, York, business administration; Kurt D. Gordon, York, information sciences and technology; Christopher A. Gross, Lancaster, mechanical engineering technology; Kathleen E. Gurley, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Scott A. Hetrick, East Berlin, electrical engineering technology; Emily R. Lauer, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Thomas J. Leana II, Glen Rock, business administration; Tyler D. Mellinger, Willow Street, electrical engineering technology; Jennifer J. Miller, York, human development and family studies; Sheldon L. Mumma, McConnellsburg, mechanical engineering technology; Sharon K. Santiago, Mount Joy, business administration; Douglas A. Snyder, New Oxford, business administration; Hung C. Tang, York, electrical engineering technology; Youngjin H. Um, York, human development and family studies.
The following students received baccalaureate degrees: Neha A. Amin, Vasai West, India, information sciences and technology; Amitejsingh K. Anand, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Heather J. Balthaser, York, human development and family studies; Corey W. Baughman, Red Lion, human development and family studies; Michael W. Baum, Carlisle, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Mary E. Beaston, Columbia, human development and family studies; Michael A. Beck, Eldersburg, Md., English; Stephanie L. Behrens, Stewartstown, English; Mayetreyee P. Bishnu, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Heather N. Booth, Red Lion, business; Tamazine T. Brooks, Shiremanstown, human development and family studies; Alexis M. Brown, Red Lion, business; Tyler A. Buck, Macungie, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Alissa C. Cardenas, Manchester, human development and family studies; Rajdeep Champa, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Purva V. Chitnis, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Sebastian C. Cortinez, York, information sciences and technology; Carla J. Cyr, Lebanon, human development and family studies; Joseph J. D'Arrigo, Red Lion, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Ryan P. Eisensmith, York, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Jennifer L. Elicker, York, business; Johan Erimee, Mechanicsburg, business; Rhoi J. Fajardo, Dover, business; Brittany A. Frey, Dover, human development and family studies; Sarah M. Gerick, Fawn Grove, human development and family studies; Donald E. Gladfelter Jr., Hellam, business; Lyanne Gomez, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Lacey L. Graham, Red Lion, business; Katie J. Helsel, Glen Rock, communication arts and sciences; Darren L. Higginbotham, Lancaster, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Megan L. Hoffer, Stewartstown, communication arts and sciences; Zachary L. Holoch, Spring Grove, information sciences and technology; Alex H. Horvatinovic, York, business; Taylor P. Hughes, Friendship, Md., science; Jeffrey M. Kane, Biglerville, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Eric L. Kennedy, Hanover, English; Douglas J. Kirk, York, information sciences and technology; Laura A. Kline, York, human development and family studies; Andrew C. Knight, Hanover, information sciences and technology; Aaron J. Kraft, York, communication arts and sciences; Ryan R. Laird, Philipsburg, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Thomas M. Lantry Jr., Delta, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Brian J. Lawrence, Hanover, human development and family studies; Justin M. Liek, York, business; Ciera N. Logue, Dover, business; Kelly N. Mackley, Dover, communication arts and sciences; Kara L. Miller, York, business; Erin R. Murphy, Hanover, human development and family studies; Leighann N. Myers, Hanover, human development and family studies; Praneet K. Nadar, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Hannah J. Phillips, Stewartstown, English; Katie L. Rice, Mount Joy, letters, arts, and sciences; Travis R. Riley, Red Lion, business; Bryan Rivera, Hamilton, N.J., information sciences and technology; Jonathan M. Roberts, Stewartstown, information sciences and technology; Joshua M. Robertson, Hanover, business; Milagrito D. Roque, York, human development and family studies; Cory M. Ruck, York Springs, information sciences and technology; Dustan N. Ruth, Abbottstown, communication arts and sciences; Abbey J. Sabold, Manchester, business; Tina M. Scholz, Wrightsville, business; Karan Uttamkumar Shah, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Jennifer J. Sheffer, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Rohit R. Shetty, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Keenan N. Slenker, Wrightsville, business; Shayla S. Smith, York, communication arts and sciences; Brandy M. Snyder, Columbia, communication arts and sciences; Diana L. Sparks, Stewartstown, business; Benjamin C. Suarez, York, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Kevin W. Tarbart, Delta, information sciences and technology; Nikole E. Tome, York, human development and family studies; and Laura E. Trimmer, York, human development and family studies.
The following students received master of education degree in teaching and curriculum degrees: Julie A. Beard, Felton; Sara E. Bosley, Glen Rock; Angela N. Buckler, Dallastown; Stacey A. Bupp, York; Shandel M. Cibellis, Dallastown; Renee M. Decker, Emigsville; Shannon C. Ebersole, Dallastown; Sarolta Z. Farkas, York; Melanie A. Heuer, Felton; Bethany G. Johnson, New Cumberland; Elizabeth C. Kelly, Millersville; Melissa J. Miller, York; Jessica L. Myers, Windsor; Suzanne M. Nolan, Dover; Debra J. Riek, York; Jessica A. Rohrbaugh, York; Matthew A. Ross, New Oxford; Lydia E. Santiago, York; Julia C. Smith, Dover; and Kristin N. Stasko, York.
The following students completed their programs at other Penn State campuses but returned to their home campus, York, to receive their degrees: Mark A. Amberman, Bellefonte, Pa., supply chain and information systems; Mark L. Brunson, Bel Air, Md., management; Anuradha N. Chhibber, York, Pa., marketing; Heidi E. Hartman, Hanover, Pa., nursing; Christopher M. Hoke, Hanover, Pa., hotel, restaurant, and institutional management; Nicholas D. Huso, Parkton, Md., Science; Jessica Petrie, York, Pa., human development and family studies; Jessica A. Seisman, Delta, Pa., English; Meghan E. Strausser, Stroudsburg, Pa., letters, arts, and sciences; and Roman D. Zaryk, Red Lion, Pa., organizational leadership.
The following students are changing to other Penn State campuses in fall to continue their degree programs: Tyler J. Adcock, Dover, mechanical engineering technology; Karissa A. Aldinger, York, Capital College; Jamie N. Altman, Laurel, Md., Arts and Architecture; Matthew B. Arentz, Hanover, kinesiology; Jeremy W. Arvelo, York, wildlife and fisheries science; Stephen A. Bailey, Hampstead, Md., premedicine; Christine E. Bealing, Hanover, psychology; Cory T. Beard, Spring Grove, electrical engineering; Patrick W. Betmarik, Hanover, supply chain and information systems; Kendall M. Biesecker, York, business administration; Sarah R. Bode, York, business administration; Brady W. Boyer, York, business administration; Juliette A. Branker, Owings Mills, Md., Asian studies; Emilie L. Breon, York, criminal justice; Troy T. Bushmire, Stewartstown, aerospace engineering; Raquelle D. Camphor, York, communications; Yike Cao, York, Capital College; Christopher J. Caraballo, York, accounting; Zhi-Hui Chen, York, Capital College; Yong Su Choi, Seoul, South Korea, finance; Katrina E. Chronister, Dover, physical therapist assistant; Hsien-Yu Chu, New Oxford, Capital College; Mitchell T. Clarke, York, engineering; Amanda L. Coble, Mt. Wolf, advertising/public relations; Matthew J. Cocco, Centereach, N.Y., marketing; Ryan M. Corney, Spring Grove, electrical engineering; Alex A. Crespo, Hellam, accounting; Hasani M. Cromwell, New Freedom, psychology; Laurel M. Crone, Dover, arts and architecture; Alison A. Crossley, Dover, biology; Matthew A. Culler, Dover, physics; Nathan D. Cutshall, York, Spanish; Michelle N. Cvach, Forest Hill, Md., crime, law, and justice; Brandon N. Cwalina, New Freedom, international politics; Lauren R. Dalemar, York, animal sciences; Rokiesha N. Davis, York, Capital College; Patric M. Destevens, York, Capital College; Thomas P. Devine, East Petersburg, information sciences and technology; Brittany E. Dietz, York, kinesiology; Susanna G. Doherty, New Park, mathematical sciences; Arthur Y. Dong, Oakland Gardens, N.Y., business administration; Stefany L. Dusman, Hanover, science; Zach D. Einsig, York, journalism; Taylor C. Evans, York, hotel, restaurant, and institutional management; Kevin L. Faust, Lancaster, provisional; Nayib A. Felix, Manchester, crime, law, and justice; Laura E. Feveryear, Delta, agriculture; William Fike, Hanover, mechanical engineering; Jennifer L. Fink, New Oxford, communication sciences and disorders; Jake M. Flanagan, Hanover, biochemistry and molecular biology; Tyler J. Frey, Windsor, nutritional sciences; Het F. Gandhi, Carlisle, hotel, restaurant, and institutional management; Kate E. Garvin, York, nursing; Kyle N. Gibson, Severn, Md., meteorology; Michael F. Gobrecht II, York, mechanical engineering technology; Todd M. Goldstein, Hanover, political science; Susan M. Grow, Stewartstown, labor studies and employment relations; Ariel D. Hagarman, York Springs, human development and family studies; Durant K. Harvin IV, Reisterstown, Md., communications; Anthany L. Heindel, Downingtown, electrical engineering; Timothy P. Herlihy, Centereach, N.Y., media studies; Joshua J. Hess, Willow Street, mechanical engineering; Desiree N. Hibshman, Hanover, accounting; Alanna M. Hoey, York, education; Laura A. Hoffman, Hanover, elementary education; Derek A. Hollinger, York, environmental engineering; Rebecca C. Hollinger, York, meteorology; Sabryna D. Holmberg, Glen Rock, elementary education; Cole J. Houser, Thomasville, rehabilitation and human services; Chun-Jui Huang, New Taipei City, Taiwan, division of undergraduate studies; Kenneth T. Huang, Severna Park, Md., Capital College; Catherine E. Huggins, New Freedom, psychology; Tait H. Huso, Parkton, Md., science; Natalie J. Janowiak, Red Lion, communication sciences and disorders; Jeremy R. Kerstetter, Spring Grove, international politics; Evan M. Kieber, York, geography; Kyle R. Kinard, Felton, environmental engineering; Evander D. Kinsler, York, public policy; Lauren R. Kline, York, forensic science; Kelsey S. Kman, Enola, political science; Raleigh S. Koeberle, York, earth and mineral sciences; Saryet A. Kucukemiroglu, York, science; Setenay N. Kucukemiroglu, York, marketing; Jennifer R. Lake, Wellsville, marketing; Lynn Langrill, Littlestown, nursing; Phuong Thao N. Le, York, accounting; Adam R. Leiphart, York, psychology; Nianyun Li, Zhengzhou, China, business administration; Fangru Liu, York, division of undergraduate studies; Michael D. Livinghouse, Red Lion, forest science; Brittany D. Lynton, Shrewsbury, business; David S. Maenner, York, telecommunications; Ritesh Maheshwari, Mumbai, India, marketing; Jennifer L. Marcombe, York, elementary education; Cynthia M. Mareck, New Freedom, electrical engineering; Dana M. Markel, York, archaeological science; Konstantinos I. Marros, York, criminal justice; Andrew D. Martin, Millersville, physics; Mohit Massey, Mumbai, India, electrical engineering; Julianne Mayo, York, accounting; Amber R. McCann, York, Altoona College; Paul T. McElhinny, York, history; Deanna M. Meisky, York, premedicine; Nader M. Mekheal, York, biology; Zachary R. Merritt, Stewartstown, finance; Benjamin S. Miller, Mount Wolf, engineering; Orian Navat, York, communications; Jordan M. Nissley, Hummelstown, information sciences and technology; Ryan M. Nittinger, York, English; Jared W. Nixon, Hanover, biobehavioral health; Sam G. Noerpel, East Berlin, aerospace engineering; Elise K. Olsen, Felton, secondary education; Ryan J. O'Toole, York, electrical engineering; Cheon Moo Park, York, industrial engineering; Nicole A. Phillips, Parkton, Md., health policy and administration; Rebecca J. Picone, Felton, environmental resource management; Alexandra I. Priester, Lititz, journalism; Kayla M. Prokop, Mt. Wolf, liberal arts; Pawel K. Puchalski, Lake Forest, Ill., division of undergraduate studies; Rui Qian, Shanghai, China, economics; Feng Qin, Nanjing, China, engineering; Timothy M. Rau, Dallastown, accounting; Michael A. Rehmert Jr., New Freedom, science; Stephanie K. Reip, New Freedom, criminal justice; Emily C. Righter, York, accounting; Ian H. Rineer, Millersville, engineering science; Michael J. Rubadue, Wrightsville, Spanish; Emily C. Ruch, Mechanicsburg, psychology; Horace E. Schenck, York, economics; Daniel L. Schneider, New Providence, agriculture; Lauren E. Schweinsberg, New Oxford, biology; Zachary T. Scott, Glenville, kinesiology; Sungwhan Seo, Yongin, South Korea, marketing; Cole S. Shaffer, New Freedom, information sciences and technology; Yun Shao, Shanghai, China, finance; Dai Shi, Beijing, China, economics; Kyle E. Shoop, Etters, finance; Paige B. Shreffler, Dover, criminal justice; Rachael E. Smith, Hanover, occupational therapy; Savannah R. Smith, Red Lion, journalism; Bethany L. Snyder, Thomasville, science; Won Tak So, Jeonju, South Korea, economics; Angela M. Solle, Seven Valleys, psychology; Daniel T. Sourbeer, Lancaster, marketing; Angela M. Steco, Lancaster, journalism; Joshua M. Stewart, Wellsville, mechanical engineering technology; Samuel W. Stoltzfus, Conestoga, wildlife and fisheries science; Matthew A. Strevig, Felton, nuclear engineering; Hana L. Suders, York Haven, management; Krithika Sudeswaran, Fairfax, Va., information sciences and technology; Justin D. Sumpman, Wrightsville, engineering; Ran Sun, Hangzhou, China, business administration; Meher Tabassum, Red Lion, accounting; Fiona Tang, New York, N.Y., division of undergraduate studies; Natasha M. Taylor, Thomasville, marketing; Bailey D. Templin, York, communications; Chloe B. Thatcher, Camp Hill, liberal arts; Andrew M. Thompson, York, secondary education social studies; Douglas R. Tomanio, Shrewsbury, engineering; Ariel M. Totten, Harrisburg, Capital College; Jason M. Trout, New Freedom, rehabilitation and human services; Dat T. Vo, York, electrical engineering technology; Jessica E. Waltersdorff, Spring Grove, elementary and kindergarten education; Hsuan-Hui Wang, New Oxford, Capital College; Jason M. Warner, East Berlin, finance; Kent T. Weibley, York, mechanical engineering; Brandon M. Willis, York, aerospace engineering; Kathrin Winter, York, occupational therapy; Nancy M. Wong, Savannah, Tenn., psychology; Long Yang, Carlisle, science; Claire L. Zeranski, York, nursing; and Alexandra S. Zharichenko, New Cumberland, accounting.