<\/p>\n
The University of Scranton awarded undergraduate degrees to more than 900 members of the Class of 2026. The newest Scranton alumni received their bachelor\u2019s degrees on Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. Graduates must have completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2025, as well as January and May of 2026.<\/p>\n
Graduates are from 14 states, with 46% coming from Pennsylvania. The countries of Ireland and Ukraine were also represented. There were 46 graduates from Luzerne County.<\/p>\n
The most common major among the graduates was nursing (10%), while accounting, biology, business administration, criminal justice, finance, kinesiology, and occupational therapy each accounted for about 5%. In total, the graduates covered 61 distinct majors.<\/p>\n
Sajidul Alam \u201926, a double major in political science and philosophy from Kingston, addressed his fellow graduates as the class speaker.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Go forth and set the world on fire.\u2019 At first, it may have sounded like a call to do something big, something enormous. But Scranton has taught us that sometimes, it means taking what we have learned here and carrying forward those values with intention, integrity, compassion and purpose,\u201d Alam said. \u201cAnd there is another idea that defines this place, one that is etched on the side of the DeNaples Center: \u2018Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.\u2019 For the past four years, The University of Scranton has been that place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following Alam\u2019s remarks, the University conferred honorary degrees to former Dominican University president Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D.; attorney and University alumnus Vincent F. Reilly, Esq. \u201980; and longtime educator Jack Raslowsky.<\/p>\n
Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. \u201976, G\u201983, H\u201915, then took the stage as the principal speaker. Dr. Pennington\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
In addition to serving as the principal speaker, Dr. Pennington celebrated her class reunion. She and other 1976 graduates gathered before the ceremony, reminiscing on their historic class \u2014 the University\u2019s first undergraduate, full-time student class to include women.<\/p>\n
Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president, conferred degrees upon candidates presented by the deans of the University\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Following the awarding of diplomas, Christopher J. Neumann, Esq. \u201987, president of the alumni society, addressed the graduates, as did Father Marina. Megan E. Heeder, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology, provided the benediction prior to the recessional.<\/p>\n
Music throughout the event was provided by the University\u2019s concert band and singers.<\/p>\n
An archived recording of the ceremony is available online.<\/p>\n
Luzerne County undergraduate degree recipients include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lily Abreu, Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sajidul Alam, Kingston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Joseph Albolino, Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
\u2022 Alaina C. Carle, Shickshinny<\/p>\n
\u2022 Aidan C. Chapple, Shavertown<\/p>\n
\u2022 Yazlin C. Chavez, Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
\u2022 Matthias A. Claflin, Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kaitlyn M. Conrad, Wyoming<\/p>\n
\u2022 Emma M. Dombroski, Shavertown<\/p>\n
\u2022 Naveen I. El-Dabsheh, Kingston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Philip J. Evan, Kingston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Aidan S. Franks, Kingston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Isabella E. Genao, West Hazleton<\/p>\n
\u2022 Matthew George, Avoca<\/p>\n
\u2022 Caleb A. Grossman, Swoyersville<\/p>\n
\u2022 Cara Mia Hogan, Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Molly K. Houston, Duryea<\/p>\n
\u2022 Abby Hoyt, West Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Matthew J. Jasienski, Duryea<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ashley A. Kessell, Exeter<\/p>\n
\u2022 Madison Jean Kuharchik, West Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Paige K. Kutchkus, Duryea<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kate C. Lettieri, Shavertown<\/p>\n
\u2022 Leslye Anahia Luna Matos, West Hazleton<\/p>\n
\u2022 Daniel J. Marinelli, West Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Lidia J. Marranca, Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mia E. Marriggi, Duryea<\/p>\n
\u2022 Brooke C. Martin, Hunlock Creek<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jocelyn A. Mendoza, Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ashley L. Metz, Dallas<\/p>\n
\u2022 Elizabeth R. Minnelli, Nanticoke<\/p>\n
\u2022 Michael R. Nicotera, Mountain Top<\/p>\n
\u2022 Benjamin A. Nowak, White Haven<\/p>\n
\u2022 Hailey C. Patts, Harding<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kayla K. Sajous, Kingston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Omi Shrestha, Drums<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sarayah F. Smith, Dallas<\/p>\n
\u2022 Victoria Anne Smulowitz, Shavertown<\/p>\n
\u2022 Kevin Talipan, Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Morgan L. Thiemann, Warrior Run<\/p>\n
\u2022 Bianca Tlatelpa, Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
\u2022 Ashlyn Urbanski, Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 Sophia J. Vanesko, Pittston<\/p>\n
\u2022 William E. Vinsko, Shavertown<\/p>\n
\u2022 Benjamin E. Yelland, Wilkes-Barre<\/p>\n
\u2022 Aidan J. Zottola, Pittston<\/p>\n
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