The University of Scranton awarded undergraduate degrees to more than 900 members of the class of 2026 on Sunday during commencement exercises at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp.
Graduates must have completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2025, as well as January and May of 2026.
The most populous states in this year’s graduating class included Pennsylvania (46%), New York (27%) and New Jersey (20%). Graduates hailed from 11 other states, stretching as far west as Washington and as far south as Florida and Texas. The countries of Ireland and Ukraine were represented as well.
The most common major among the graduates was nursing (10%), while accounting, biology, business administration, criminal justice, finance, kinesiology and occupational therapy represented about 5% each. In total, the graduates covered 61 distinct majors.
Following the processional and a welcome by Tracy M. Stewart, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., H’14, bishop of Scranton, provided the invocation.
Sajidul Alam, a double major in political science and philosophy from Kingston, addressed his fellow graduates as the class speaker.
Alam spoke about how the university became “home” for the class of 2026, referencing two quotes that graduates have seen and heard throughout their daily travels at Scranton.
“‘Go forth and set the world on fire.’ At first, it may have sounded like a call to do something big. But Scranton has taught us that sometimes, it means taking what we have learned here and carrying those values forward with intention. Integrity. Compassion. Purpose,” Alam said. “And there is another idea that defines this place, one that is etched on the side of the DeNaples Center: ‘Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.’ For the past four years, the University of Scranton has been that place.”
Following Alam’s remarks, the university conferred honorary degrees to former Dominican University President Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D.; attorney and university alumnus Vincent F. Reilly, Esq. ’80; and longtime educator Jack Raslowsky.
Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, then took the stage as the principal speaker. Pennington’s 40-plus-year career in higher education administration, prior to retiring in 2021, included 22 years as vice president for student development and campus life at Montclair State University.
In addition to serving as the principal speaker, Pennington celebrated her class reunion. She and other 1976 graduates gathered before the ceremony, reminiscing on their historic class — the university’s first undergraduate, full-time student class to include women.
The Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president, conferred degrees upon candidates presented by the deans of the university’s three colleges: Victoria H. Castellanos, Ph.D., Leahy College of Health Sciences; Mark Higgins, Ph.D., Kania School of Management; and Carolyn M. Barry, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences.
Following the awarding of diplomas, Christopher J. Neumann, Esq. ’87, president of the alumni society, addressed the graduates, as did Marina. Megan E. Heeder, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology, provided the benediction prior to the recessional.
Music throughout the event was provided by the university’s concert band and singers.
An archived recording of the ceremony is available online.
Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming counties undergraduate degree recipients include:
Lucy E. Abdalla, South Abington Twp.; Lily Abreu, Wilkes-Barre; Liam J. Ahern, Dunmore; Sajidul Alam, Kingston; Joseph Albolino, Wilkes-Barre; Matthew J. Almonte, East Stroudsburg; Krish A. Amin, Scranton; Morgan M. Antoniacci, Moosic; Amber H. Armitage, Stroudsburg; Ava V. Aversa, Old Forge; Jacob T. Basile, Factoryville; Nathaniel Bates, Dickson City; Kaleigh A. Bayoglu, Blakeslee; Angelina A. Beaumont, Taylor; Paige M. Bell, Newfoundland; Jamison C. Bessoir, Clarks Summit; Bryce W. Betz, Peckville; James Bistran, Blakely; Benjamin A. Burman, Clifford Twp.; Cory J. Bushta, Archbald; Cameron J. Calabro, Paupack; Odalys Camarillo, Scranton; Kayley Marianna Capone, Scranton; Katie Rose Capooci, Dunmore; Alaina C. Carle, Shickshinny; Connor J. Carlton, Scranton; Nicholas L Carr, Clarks Summit; Annmarie Cervone, Stroudsburg; David E Chapman, Madison Twp.; Aidan C. Chapple, Shavertown; Jacob Charles, Scranton; Yazlin C. Chavez, Wilkes-Barre; Alina Chopko, Dalton; Madison Christiano, Dunmore; Matthias A. Claflin, Wilkes-Barre; Jacob R. Clancy, Roaring Brook Twp.; Riley P. Clarke, Scranton; Matthew J. Cobb, South Abington Twp.; Chloe P. Colozza, Old Forge; Rebecca M. Colwell, Taylor; Paige E. Conflitti, Moosic; Kaitlyn M. Conrad, Wyoming; Alyssa M. Cosklo, Fell Twp.; Paul T. Cutrufello, South Abington Twp.; Roman Marco Cutrufello, South Abington Twp.; Aviah L. Dahlgren, Honesdale; Ayushi Das, South Abington Twp.; James B. Davis, Olyphant; Morgan Elizabeth Davis, Covington Twp.; Fernando A. De La Rosa, Scranton; Drew Dearden, Scranton; Alicia V. Dec, Clifford Twp.; Mckenna Dempsey, Elmhurst Twp.; Kyle L. Deron, Starlight; Megan Grace Desmet, Newfoundland; Elisha D. Desouza, Peckville; Anisha Dhungel, Scranton; Anju Dhungel, Scranton; Emma M. Dombroski, Shavertown; Bryan G. Dominguez, Scranton; Jesus A. Donaciano, Scranton; Keirys Dotel, Stroudsburg; Kayla M. Duffy, Mayfield; Serban A. Dumitrescu, Lords Valley; Vlad A. Dumitrescu, Lords Valley; Naveen I. El Dabsheh, Kingston; Jessica L. Ely, Dimock; Philip J. Evan, Kingston; Anthony T. Fabbri, Scranton; Grace C. Fawcett, Scott Twp.; Erileidi Fernandez, Scranton; Johnathan C. Fisher, Moscow; Alexander R. Franklin, Scranton; Aidan S. Franks, Kingston; Molly Frances Gaffney, South Abington Twp.; Maura Claire Gallagher, Moscow; Cinthia K. Garcia, Clarks Summit; Michael S. Gardner, Moscow; Isabella E. Genao, West Hazleton; Matthew George, Avoca; Brian T. Gilbride, Scranton; Timothy B. Gilhooley, Olyphant; Katherine M. Githens, Newfoundland; Phoebe A. Glidewell, Clarks Summit; Anna F. Gowarty, Scranton; Emma M. Grabousky, Roaring Brook Twp.; Joshua E. Greenfield, Scranton; Caleb A. Grossman, Swoyersville; Ashleigh M. Gutowski, Roaring Brook Twp.; Charlotte Haggerty, South Abington Twp.; Ethan W. Haggerty, Milford; Nicholas R. Harder, Montrose; Trevor Hardy, Cresco; Samantha J. Harrison, Scranton; James J. Healey, South Abington Twp.; Rachel E. Heil, Scranton; Cara Mia Hogan, Pittston; Deanna Holbert, Simpson; Emily Elizabeth Hopkins, Scranton; Sally M. Hopkins, East Stroudsburg; Molly K. Houston, Duryea; Abby Hoyt, West Pittston; Jessica B. Hughes, Scranton; Matthew J. Jasienski, Duryea; Morgyn E. Jenkins, Old Forge; Jordan Johnson, Scranton; Elina Joshi, Clarks Summit; Anthony A. Kande, Stroudsburg; Bradly Michael Kaufman, Scranton; Carson M. Kelleher, Clarks Summit; Ashley A. Kessell, Exeter; Logan E. Kiernan, Olyphant; Joshua F Klien, Scranton; Isabelle L. Kostiak, Ransom Twp.; Kaci L. Kranson, Scranton; Kaylee M. Kravitz, Madison Twp.; Madison Jean Kuharchik, West Pittston; Alfred K. Kumi-Atiemo, Stroudsburg; Paige K. Kutchkus, Duryea; Grace G. Lee, Matamoras; Grace V. Lennox, Peckville; Kate C. Lettieri, Shavertown; Juliana Chayce Llaurado, Dingmans Ferry; Eljesa Lluga, Scranton; Erin T. Lona, Scranton; Breanna M. Long, Stroudsburg; Leslye Anahia Luna Matos, West Hazleton; Abigail C. Luongo, Dunmore; Aiden W. Mackrell, Olyphant; Gianna M. Magliocchi, Throop; Mariah A. Mancuso, Dunmore; Daniel J. Marinelli, West Pittston; Madison M. Markiewicz, Archbald; Lidia J. Marranca, Pittston; Mia E. Marriggi, Duryea; Brooke C. Martin, Hunlock Creek; Cole Mattia, Mount Pocono; Mya K. Maus, Eynon; Julianne May, Scranton; Meghan E. McDonnell, Old Forge; David R. McIntyre, Scranton; Jocelyn A. Mendoza, Wilkes-Barre; Julia B. Menichello, Jessup; Ashley L. Metz, Dallas; Nathan A. Micknick, Jermyn; Elizabeth R. Minnelli, Nanticoke; Jewel E. Mitchell, South Abington Twp.; Cameron J. Moczulski, Carbondale; Helena Mokhtari, Clarks Summit; Colin M. Moran, South Abington Twp.; Kathleen Ann Moran, Scranton; Molly E. Moran, Tunkhannock; Gary C. Mrozinski, Taylor; Cierra L. Mulkerin, Old Forge; Evan D. Musgrave, Clarks Summit; Mia Violet Muskey, Moosic; Shkeb Nadir, Scranton; Megan N. Neary, East Stroudsburg; Michael R. Nicotera, Mountain Top; Jakub Niemczyk, Bartonsville; Kerri R. Nieto, Scranton; Thomas W. Noll, Scranton; Benjamin A. Nowak, White Haven; Katherine W. O’Brien, Clarks Green; Mark A. Ortiz, East Stroudsburg; Marc A. Pacyna, South Abington Twp.; Evangelina M. Paisi, East Stroudsburg; Vikrant Panday, Scranton; Dhruvraj G. Parmar, Scranton; Dev Patel, Scranton; Janvi R. Patel, Scranton; Jay P. Patel, Scranton; Maitree K. Patel, Scranton; Vraj S. Patel, Scranton; Yogi Patel, Clarks Summit; Hailey C. Patts, Harding; Yeraiza N. Pena Alicea, Scranton; Macey L. Pennay, Kingsley; Sophia G. Perrin, Milford; Everett A. Perry, Old Forge; Cassidy A. Pfeiffer, Old Forge; James M. Plishka, Tunkhannock; Zayury G. Ponce-Rosas, Scranton; Mitchell A. Popovich, Scott Twp.; Timothy A. Prothero, Scranton; Jonathon Purvis, Carbondale; Antoinette C. Refice, Scranton; Ava M. Renna, Honesdale; Lexee J. Risner, Throop; Timothy R. Rogel, East Stroudsburg; Michael A. Romano, Tunkhannock; Kaeli Marie Romanowski, Lake Ariel; Karla S. Rosales, Scranton; Tianna R. Ross, Scranton; Vito M. Rotell, Eynon; Gavin Royce, Scranton; Matthew C. Saita, Scranton; Kayla K. Sajous, Kingston; Anthony R. Santos, Scranton; Gabrielle G. Schieber, Jefferson Twp.; Blake C. Schultz, Dunmore; Therese J. Shimkus, Scranton; Presley Shotto, Elmhurst Twp.; Omi Shrestha, Drums; Sarayah F. Smith, Dallas; Victoria Anne Smulowitz, Shavertown; Maria A. Spinelli, Pleasant Mount; Grace P. Stallman, Scranton; Isabella C. Stanco, Dunmore; Allen T. Stankiewicz, South Abington Twp.; James P. Strain, Clarks Summit; Aidan M. Sweeney, Henryville; Saige A. Sweeney, Eynon; Kevin Talipan, Pittston; Alexander G. Terrones, Greentown; Morgan L. Thiemann, Warrior Run; Ebonie B. Thompson, Scranton; Bianca Tlatelpa, Wilkes-Barre; Joseph H. Tolan, Scranton; Nicholas Tomaszewski, Waverly Twp.; Nicole C. Tonny, Scranton; Aaron J. Toryak, Greentown; Jordan L. Traver, Friendsville; Rachel E. Tuman, Lake Ariel; Ashlyn Urbanski, Pittston; Sophia J. Vanesko, Pittston; William E. Vinsko, Shavertown; Jordon B. Wagner, Falls Twp.; William Warnken, Brodheadsville; Joseph A. Waslin, Scranton; Ava M Wheeler, Taylor; Jared P. White, Clarks Summit; Molly E. White, Scranton; Stevie L. Wilkinson, Moscow; Savanna Willauer, Scranton; Natalie A. Winters, Canadensis; Kayla Ann Wright, Spring Brook Twp.; Benjamin E. Yelland, Wilkes-Barre; Lucas Zaba, Stroudsburg; Brianna E. Zipay, Archbald; and Aidan J. Zottola, Pittston.
Some of the 900-plus members of the class of 2026 take part in the University of Scranton’s commencement Sunday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
Sajidul Alam, a double major in political science and philosophy from Kingston, addresses his fellow graduates as the class speaker during the University of Scranton’s commencement Sunday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
Some of the 900-plus members of the class of 2026 take part in the University of Scranton’s commencement Sunday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
Kaeli Romanowski of Lake Ariel receives her degree Sunday during the University of Scranton’s commencement exercises at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
Madison M. Markiewicz of Archbald receives her degree Sunday during the University of Scranton’s commencement ceremony at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D., a 1976 graduate of the University of Scranton, gives the principal address during the university’s commencement Sunday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Pennington retired in 2021 after a 40-plus-year career in higher education administration, including 22 years as vice president for student development and campus life at Montclair State University. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
Sajidul Alam, a double major in political science and philosophy from Kingston, addresses his fellow graduates as the class speaker during the University of Scranton’s commencement Sunday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)
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Some of the 900-plus members of the class of 2026 take part in the University of Scranton’s commencement Sunday at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. (COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON)