{"id":182367,"date":"2026-05-02T20:50:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-02T20:50:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/182367\/"},"modified":"2026-05-02T20:50:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-02T20:50:08","slug":"pennsylvania-institute-of-technology-celebrates-as-123-students-graduate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/182367\/","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Institute of Technology celebrates as 123 students graduate"},"content":{"rendered":"

There were cheers, tears and most importantly triumph as hundreds of supporters attended the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology spring Class of 2026 graduation ceremony at the Drexelbrook on April 9.<\/p>\n

This marked the first graduation event held at Drexelbrook. There is a $7.4 million facilities expansion project currently underway at the college\u2019s Upper Providence campus, leading to the venue change.<\/p>\n

Addressing the graduates and their loved ones, President Matt Meyers marked the moment of celebration, achievement, perseverance, \u201cand, let\u2019s be honest, the power of a lot of caffeine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Key programs at PIT include diagnostic medical sonography, practical nursing, and cannabis horticulture. The college offers flexible classes on campus, online courses and hybrid learning options.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay your future be bold, bright, and just the beginning of everything you dream,\u201d Meyers said.<\/p>\n

The Spring Class of 2026 celebrated two valedictorians.<\/p>\n

Co-valedictorian Christina Mattioli of Ridley Township graduated from the college\u2019s diagnostic medical sonography program.<\/p>\n

Mattioli was born in Philadelphia to parents, Michelle and Chris. Her mom, an X-ray tech, sparked her interest in health care and radiology, said Denise Boyle, director of diagnostic medical sonography at PIT.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe spent several summers working at Rothman Institute, gaining her first experience in health care,\u201d Boyle noted.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Mattioli family of Ridley Township celebrates a milestone moment on graduation day at the Drexelbrook in Upper Darby. (COURTESY OF JESS DIXON))<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile in school, one of Christina\u2019s biggest challenges was balancing her schoolwork and clinicals while working two jobs,\u201d Boyle continued, saying Mattioli thanked her fianc\u00e9 and family for the support.<\/p>\n

Mattioli now works full-time as a sonographer at Jefferson Abington Hospital.<\/p>\n

While on stage and addressing fellow graduates, Mattioli opened her co-valedictorian speech by citing Ralph Waldo Emerson: \u201cWhat lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf that\u2019s true, then everything we\u2019ve been through here at PIT wasn\u2019t just about getting to this moment. It was about discovering what we\u2019re capable of. There were plenty of days here when we struggled,\u201d Mattioli said. \u201cWe didn\u2019t understand, we weren\u2019t sure we could do it, and we weren\u2019t sure of ourselves. However, each exam, clinical, lab, and friendship made us strong, confident and capable.\u201d<\/p>\n

She encouraged everyone to be ready to leap into new beginnings and to always keep learning.<\/p>\n

Co-valedictorian Michael Fritz of St. Paul, Minn., graduated with a cannabis studies horticulture degree. He was unable to attend the ceremony at the Drexelbrook.<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael plans to pursue a career in cannabis cultivation while also starting a personal garden of his own,\u201d said Lou Gianotti, director of cannabis studies at PIT.<\/p>\n

New Jersey resident Nicolette Panichelli of Blackwood was named the salutatorian.<\/p>\n

Panichelli was born at Pennsylvania Hospital and raised in South Philadelphia, where growing up in a close-knit community helped shape her strong work ethic and deep appreciation for family, Boyle said.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe PIT graduates shine during this milestone moment as they jumpstart their careers in the field of health care across the Greater Philadelphia Region. (COURTESY OF JESS DIXON)<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of Nicolette\u2019s greatest inspirations was her Aunt Dina, a hardworking and strong woman who always prioritized her family,\u201d Boyle noted. \u201cListening to her aunt share experiences about ultrasound examinations sparked Nicolette\u2019s interest in diagnostic medical sonography and inspired her to pursue the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the 15-month program, Boyle said Panichelli learned the importance of time management, consistency and perseverance.<\/p>\n

Doyle said Panichelli\u2019s fianc\u00e9, Frankie, supported her through school by helping her study via flashcard quizzes at night.<\/p>\n

Prior to graduating, Panichelli secured a job at Penn Medicine in Cherry Hill.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe was able to complete her remaining clinical hours there, which made it a smooth transition for her when she started working independently as a sonographer,\u201d Boyle added.<\/p>\n

\"PraisePraise Watson of Upper Darby dances with joy after receiving her nursing degree from PIT. (COURTESY OF JEN SAMUEL)<\/p>\n

Meyers presented Taylor Bentley with the President\u2019s Award, which is given to a graduate for meritorious service to PIT and academic excellence.<\/p>\n

\u201cTaylor achieved high grades but also embodied something just as meaningful: genuine curiosity. Throughout the diagnostic medical sonography program, she aimed to get the right answers but also asked thoughtful questions,\u201d Meyers said. \u201cThis combination of excellence and curiosity will open many doors for her and allow her to make an impact in the health care arena.\u201d<\/p>\n

Susan Garrison presented the Founder\u2019s Award to Nylo-Jeanette White, who was born in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy greatest inspiration has always been my mother (Doretta Muhammad), a military veteran whose strength and resilience made her my real-life G.I. Jane,\u201d White said.<\/p>\n

She has nine children, noting they \u201cmotivate her each day to pursue personal and professional growth.\u201d And it was with this support from family and community that empowered her to study diagnostic medical sonography to create new opportunities for her future.<\/p>\n

White currently works per diem as an ultrasound radiographer at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Cedar Avenue.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking ahead, Nylo-Jeanette plans to continue her education by pursuing a bachelor\u2019s degree while further developing her career in the medical field,\u201d Garrison said. Her father, Walter Garrison, founded PIT in the 1950s.<\/p>\n

\"TechnologyTechnology Nursing Professor Geralyn Swindell celebrates graduation day with Christina Miller of Brookhaven, left, and Jamiyah Fletcher of Upper Darby. (COURTESY OF JESS DIXON)<\/p>\n

In December, the college broke ground on its $7.4 million renovation and modernization project to create new spaces of learning and connection.<\/p>\n

During the commencement ceremony, Vice President of Student Engagement Kamira Evans recognized the Spring Class of 2026\u2019s program award winners.<\/p>\n

The recognized graduates include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Victoria Antenucci of Springfield Township who won the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Award<\/p>\n

\u2022 Eugene Saydee of Thornbury who won the Healthcare Management Program Award<\/p>\n

\u2022 Nati Wisseh of Darby for health science studies<\/p>\n

\u2022 Christina Cecelia Miller of Brookhaven for practical nursing studies<\/p>\n

\u2022 Delaware resident Stephanie Forbes of Bear who won the Practical Nursing Clinical Award<\/p>\n

\u2022 Shant\u00e9 Rene\u00e9 Marshall of Yeadon, who won the Hazel Johnson-Brown Nursing Award<\/p>\n

\u2022 Delaware resident Elizabeth Cole of Wilmington for cannabis studies<\/p>\n

\u2022 Emigdio Molina of Reading for cannabis studies<\/p>\n

\u2022 Keinalyse Medina-Morales of Reading who won the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Clinical Award.<\/p>\n

More than half of students at PIT are parents and 93% of students receive financial assistance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis college is a lifeline for a remarkable community of students,\u201d said Marquise Isaac-Rivers, director of Student Affairs at the college.<\/p>\n

Approximately 60% of PIT students are first-generation college students, overcoming systemic social and economic barriers to pursue their dreams through the power of education.<\/p>\n

\"EnrollmentEnrollment is now open for the summer term at PIT. (COURTESY OF JEN SAMUEL)<\/p>\n

\u2014 Courtesy of Jen Samuel\u00a0on behalf of PIT<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There were cheers, tears and most importantly triumph as hundreds of supporters attended the Pennsylvania Institute of Technology…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":182368,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[182,139,28,210,147,149,148,150],"class_list":["post-182367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upper-darby","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-pennsylvania","tag-top-stories-dtd","tag-upper-darby","tag-upper-darby-headlines","tag-upper-darby-news","tag-upper-darby-township"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182367"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182367\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}