Academics

Penn State announces fall 2017 commencement events and speakers

Spring 2017 graduating students at Penn State Lehigh Valley celebrate their accomplishments at commencement, which was held at ArtsQuest in Bethlehem, in May. Credit: Dan Z. Johnson PhotographyAll Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This fall approximately 4,818 Penn State students will receive their diplomas. University-wide there will be 246 associate, 3309 baccalaureate, 980 master's, 10 law and 273 doctoral degrees awarded.

Following is a compilation of commencement ceremonies and speaker information for Penn State's 24 locations. Additional information about University Park commencement is available online at http://commencement.psu.edu

Penn State Abington

10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Penn State Abington

Speaker: Mary Alice Williams, pioneering news executive and Emmy Award winner

Mary Alice Williams won an Emmy Award for her work on NBC Nightly News and played a major role in the development and globalization of CNN. Formerly one of the highest-ranking female executives in American television, currently she anchors NJTV News on New Jersey’s public television network. Her investigative work on such topics as foreign policy, ethics, technology and health have made her a respected authority and recognized voice for public information.

Penn State Abington commencement information

Penn State Altoona

11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Jaffa Shrine, Altoona

Speaker: Stephen McKnight, President and CEO role at the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation

Penn State Altoona commencement information

Penn State Beaver

7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Penn State Beaver, SUB Auditorium

Speaker: Jack Manning, president and executive director, Beaver County Chamber of Commerce

Jack Manning leads two of the most important economic drivers in the area — the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce and the Beaver County Partnership for Community and Economic Development. The chamber of commerce is comprised of 530 member companies and is focused on supporting the growth and improvement of the local economy through preparation and promotion. The Beaver County Partnership is a public/private partnership designed to leverage the multi-billion-dollar investment made by Shell Chemical in the county. 

Penn State Beaver commencement information

Penn State Behrend 

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Junker Center

Speakers: Dr. Michael A. Campbell, professor of biology, and Matthew T. Bresee, class of 2000, president of the Erie BayHawks NBA G League team.

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College commencement information

Penn State Berks

7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Beaver Community Center

Speaker: Victor H. Hammel, class of 1967, chairman of Rentokil North America, and retired CEO of J.C. Ehrlich

Penn State Berks commencement information

Penn State Brandywine

10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 15, at Penn State Brandywine, Commons/Athletic Center

Speaker: Andrea Gilbert, president, Bryn Mawr Hospital

Andrea Gilbert joined Main Line Health in 2000 as senior vice president of Bryn Mawr Hospital and was named the hospital's president in 2002.  She oversees day-to-day operations, strategic planning, clinical program development, physician recruitment, fundraising and financial operations. Gilbert is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and Johns Hopkins University.

Penn State Brandywine commencement information

Penn State DuBois

7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, Hiller Auditorium

Speaker: Jessica Clontz, DuBois Educational Foundation Educator of the Year

Jessica Clontz is the 2017 DuBois Educational Foundation Educator of the Year. As an instructor in the Human Development and Family Studies program, she helps to prepare her students to enter fulfilling careers as counselors and social workers who will assist members of their communities in facing life's challenges.

Penn State DuBois commencement information

Penn State Fayette

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Great Valley

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Greater Allegheny

7 p.m. Friday Dec. 15, at Penn State Greater Allegheny

Speaker: Gisele Fetterman

Gisele Fetterman is an access and equity advocate, a Tedx Speaker, “Forty under 40” honoree, and winner of the Best Activist in Pittsburgh award. She is the founder of Freestore 15104, aiming to eradicate food and clothing insecurity. The Freestore has inspired nine spin-off locations, including the first college campus location store located at Penn State Greater Allegheny. She is the co-founder of 412 Food Rescue, a community-wide effort to end hunger and reduce food waste and the co-founder of For Good PGH, a non-profit working to advocate inclusion and inspire kindness. Her work has been featured in the Huffington Post, TODAY show, CNN, NPR, NY Post and more. 

Penn State Greater Allegheny commencement information

Penn State Harrisburg

9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Giant Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Speaker: Jeannine D. Peterson, chief executive officer of Hamilton Health Center

Peterson was appointed CEO of Hamilton Health Center, a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 2000 after serving on the Center’s board of directors. She has been recognized locally and nationally as the visionary who led the organization out of financial insolvency to a highly effective, financially stable health center serving over 30,000 individuals annually. A native of Pittsburgh, Peterson had a successful 22-year career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, culminating with her appointment as deputy secretary of the PA Department of Health by Governor Robert P. Casey. She has worked at Johnson, Bassin, and Shaw, Inc., and served as the deputy project director for a Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration Program.

Penn State Harrisburg fall commencement information

Penn State Hazleton

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Hershey College of Medicine

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Lehigh Valley

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Mont Alto

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State New Kensington

10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Penn State New Kensington

Speaker: Matthew Plocki '96, founder and president of Pitt Specialty Supply, Inc.

Plocki is a 1996 Penn State alumnus with a bachelor of science degree in labor and industrial relations. He started his Penn State career at the New Kensington campus and graduated at the University Park campus. Plocki has spent the last 22 years in the food service industry in various roles including sales, marketing, managing and most recently as the founder and president of Pitt Specialty Supply, Inc. Founded in 2002, Pitt Specialty Supply has become a leading independent distributor of food service and facility supplies to businesses, health care, education and restaurants in western Pennsylvania. 

Penn State New Kensington commencement information

Penn State Schuylkill

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Shenango

11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Penn State Shenango

Speaker:  Ketaki Desai, executive director, LindenPointe Development Corporation, Hermitage, Pennsylvania

One of Pittsburgh’s “40 Under 40” honorees, Desai has co-founded and consulted with several startups in the Pittsburgh region. She has a doctorate in biomedical sciences from Texas A&M University, a master’s in public management from Carnegie Mellon University, and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Pune University, India. She was selected as a Graduate Fellow by the UN Council of Women World Leaders and is a graduate of the Civic Leadership Academy of Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s Office.

Penn State Shenango commencement information

Penn State University Park

—Schreyer Honors College Medals Ceremony

5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center

—Undergraduate students (baccalaureate and associate degrees)

Saturday, Dec. 16, Bryce Jordan Center — Remarks by: Penn State President Eric Barron

9 a.m.

  • College of Agricultural Sciences
  • Smeal College of Business
  • College of Earth and Mineral Sciences
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Information Sciences and Technology

12:30 p.m.

  • College of Arts and Architecture
  • Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications
  • College of Education
  • College of Health and Human Development
  • College of the Liberal Arts
  • College of Nursing
  • Eberly College of Science

Penn State University Park undergraduate commencement information

—The Graduate School

4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Bryce Jordan Center

Speaker: Lee Kump, dean, Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Penn State University Park Graduate School commencement information

Penn State Wilkes-Barre

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Worthington Scranton

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State York

6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center)

Speaker: Alice Conner-Malyszek ’85, director of manufacturing for BAE Systems' Combat Vehicles U.S.

Conner-Malyszek, a 1985 Penn State alumna with an associate degree in mechanical design engineering technology and a bachelor of science in engineering, is director of manufacturing for BAE Systems’ Combat Vehicles U.S., based in York, Pennsylvania. She leads manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, and production program integration operations at combat vehicle manufacturing facilities across the United States. She serves on the Penn State York Advisory Board, the Engineering and Technology Industrial Advisory Committee, the Women’s Philanthropic Network, and is active with The Graham Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies. She has a passion for encouraging young students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and technology (STEM), and is dedicated to helping young women feel empowered in their choices.

Penn State York commencement information

Pennsylvania College of Technology

11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Community Arts Center, Williamsport

Student speaker: Garrett Davis Corneliussen, of Hickory, North Carolina, who will receive a bachelor of science degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology.

Corneliussen, a Dean’s List student and recipient of a 2017 Penn College Award, served as a Presidential Student Ambassador and as executive vice president, vice president for internal relations and a School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies senator with the Student Government Association. He was co-founder and vice president of the PCT Bike Club. He was awarded national and regional scholarships by the American Welding Society and received AWS professional certifications for Certified Welding Inspector and Certified Welder.

Faculty speaker: J.D. Mather, assistant professor of engineering design technology, who was presented with the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award — the highest level of recognition for Penn College faculty — in May.

Penn College commencement information

Dickinson Law

No fall commencement ceremony.

Penn State Law

No fall commencement ceremony.

Last Updated December 14, 2017