Degrees were conferred upon 134 students as Keystone College celebrated its 155th commencement on Saturday during a ceremony on the campus in La Plume Twp.

Local entrepreneur and 2009 Keystone College alumna Maggie Calpin, owner of Nibbles & Bits, a gourmet gift and chocolate  company in Dunmore, offered the keynote address and was awarded an honorary degree.

Keystone President John F. Pullo Sr. ’69 presided over the ceremony. Sgt. Amber Mascia, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, a resident of Blakeslee, addressed her classmates as this year’s outstanding graduate.

Degrees and certificates were provided to the graduates by Pullo; Vicki A. Stanavitch, Ph.D. ’92, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs; and Kirby K. Hickey ’62, chair of the board of trustees.

In his remarks, Pullo congratulated the graduates and their families and thanked them for sticking with Keystone during some very difficult times prior to the college’s merger with the Washington Institute for Education and Research in May 2025.

“Your resilience, perseverance and commitment to Keystone during your time here, coupled with the steadfast support of WIER and the dedication of our faculty and staff, saved Keystone College. I am grateful for that. The entire Keystone community is grateful for that,” Pullo said.

“We still have much work to do as we continue to rebuild, but what we are working to accomplish here is not being done in higher education today as schools like Keystone are becoming fewer. American higher education still needs an affordable, private college experience, and you are all examples and representatives of that. Go forth and proudly share your Keystone experiences. And know that we are proud of each and every one of you and pleased to now welcome you into our Keystone alumni family.”

Pullo introduced Calpin as “the personification of the college’s motto of ‘Progress Through Effort.’ We are excited to have her with us today to share her inspiring story. I am also excited to announce that she will be joining our board of trustees in the next academic term.”

Calpin began her career in cosmetology before receiving her Bachelor of Science in business from Keystone. She graduated magna cum laude in 2009 while working full time as a cosmetologist. Following her graduation from Keystone, at 24 years old, Calpin tooka leap and purchased a turnkey business, transforming it into the thriving brand it is today, including launching in-house chocolate production in 2013.

In her remarks to the students, Calpin highlighted the realities of building a business while reminding students that success is not always a straight line and that some of the best opportunities come from taking risks before you feel fully ready.

“My wish for you is that ‘good enough’ is never enough for you. That you continue to grow. To push. To become more than you ever thought possible. I hope you stay hungry. I hope you keep striving for more,” Calpin said.

This year’s degree recipients from regional communities are:

Master of Business Administration

David J. Booths, Lake Ariel; Dawson Fresses, Holland; Steven Rodriguez, Tobyhanna; Andrea Celeste Walcott, Factoryville.

Master of Education

Ashley Marie Dymond, Tunkhannock; Alexsis S. Hermann, Scranton; Lexis Taylor Tonkin, Carbondale; Katelyn N. Venezio, Vandling.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Tracie Lynn Miller, Athens.

Master of Science in Sport Leadership Management

Willie A. Exum, Factoryville; Anthony James Merone, Waymart.

Master of Science in Wildlife Biology

Christina Gail DeCresenza, Tunkhannock; Zachary B. Hemond, Mifflintown.

Bachelor of Arts

Della Lee Bobb, Dalton; Anna M. Boles, Scranton; Joshua Harvey, Scranton; Ethan J. King, Scranton; Keila Zick, Hop Bottom.

Bachelor of Science

Dwight Abram Jr., Dunmore; Vanessa I. Alicea, Allentown; Trevor Altenhofen, Lake Ariel; Luke C. Baker, Factoryville; John Balchunas, Palmyra; Krista Lynn Bancey, New Milford; Codi James Bomboy, Montrose; Michael Breed, Factoryville; Paula Ann Briel, Cresson; Arthur G. Bronson III, Lake Ariel; Trisha Lynn Buck, Lehington; Alexis Marie Capwell, Jessup; Adam John Dovin, Friendsville; Emily Rose Engle, Wilkes-Barre; Anna Grace Flowers, Clarks Green; Kayon Kimberlee Forbes, Whitehall; Adrian Gonzalez, Taylor; Arlenys A. Gutierrez, Allentown; Ashley Ann Henriksen, Moosic; Emma Elizabeth Hughes, Clarks Summit; Joseph J. Jordan, Scott Twp.; Caitlyn Kerr, Meshoppen; Alyssa Carol Kritzberger, Effort; Rocco J. LaCapra, Dunmore; Vivianna Raquel LaCapra, Dunmore; Abagaille K. Lewis, Pittston; Fushawn Buckie Liggins, Taylor; Hunter Joseph Lukavitch, Shickshinny; Isabella Josephine Mandarano, Dunmore; Amber Lynn Mascia, Blakeslee; Erin Elizabeth McHale, Carbondale; Gianna Marie McNerney, Covington Twp.; Ann Marie Metzger, Chambersburg; Molly Louise Mindas, Clarks Summit; Mariano Iacobino Monacelli, Scranton; John Thomas Moran, Scranton; Madelyn Clare O’Hearn, Old Forge; Jeremiah Noah Ortiz, Scranton; Michael W. Palinkas,  Philadelphia; Alexis Rae Price, Carbondale; Ramona Bethsaida Ramirez, Philadelphia; James K. Renter, Scott Twp.; William Michael Reuter, Easton; Sandra Ann Rogers, Carbondale; Holly Michelle Ross, Clarks Green; Zachary Santiago, Philadelphia; Kaylee Shane Sargent, Tioga; Hailey Sky Scardo, Scranton; Ian James Schmidt, Factoryville; Emily Jean Schultz, Tunkhannock; Emily Rose Seward, Dalton; Mason P. Shay, Dalton; Rylee Elizabeth Sheehan, Waymart; Brielle Ann Shevchik, Clarks Summit; Dana Elynn Sibilia, South Abington Twp; Jason Mark Smith, Montrose; Jakob Daniel Snipes, Scott Twp.; Remy Didier Sylvain, Scranton; Brett Patrick Tigue, South Abington Twp.; Crystal Ann Vanderhoof, Pleasant Gap; Julien Michael Wells, Scranton; Jah’Ciere Lytez Williams, Lancaster; Garrett Lee Worthington, New Providence; Grace Ellen Yadlosky, Vandling.

Associate in Science

Sandra Bencomo, Philadelphia; Madison Chenelle Brown, Wyalusing; Meghan Elizabeth Crist, Carlisle; Sara Kristine Deats, Elkland; Livia Noel Hable, Pottsville; Sh’kise Al’Matee Jackson Jr., East Stroudsburg; Alicia Ann Lee, Nicholson; Jasmine Lee Lozada, Morrisville; Molly Jean McNulty, Scranton; Autumn J. Morefield, Waymart; Ansar Mustafa, Philadelphia; Jayona Jaliyah Osgood, Scranton; Kissayris Doralis Salcedo, Philadelphia; Carmen Milagros Santos, Philadelphia; Lisbeth Victoria Santos, Hazle Twp.; Mary Elizabeth Schlasta, Scott Twp.; Colleen Marie Sutton, Scranton; Natalie Vazquez Lebron, Philadelphia; Tanner Shane Young, Clarks Summit.

Associate in Applied Science

Daniel Jens Roskeland, Archbald; Eric Michael VanLuvanee, Nicholson.