University Confers Record Number of DPT Degrees at Ceremony

The University of Scranton conferred the most doctorate of physical therapy degrees in its history at its post-baccalaureate commencement on May 25 in the Byron Recreation Complex. The University conferred 65 doctoral degrees in physical therapy and 748 master’s degrees at the commencement.

Graduates represented 38 states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Programs with the most graduates at Scranton were educational administration, curriculum and instruction, MBA, occupational therapy and physical therapy.

Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, served as the principal speaker. A leader in community development for four decades, Burke has served as the chamber’s president since 1981. He served in Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell’s cabinet as secretary for community and economic development.

“Graduates, the master’s degree you earned today will help you to prepare for a lifetime of surprises,” said Burke. “There will be great tests and disappointments, as well as great opportunities and achievements. You will encounter challenges and frustrations, as well as moments of pure euphoria. My hope is that your euphoria will be intense and richly satisfying; that your euphoria will be the result of endeavors which benefit our children and grandchildren.”

University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., also addressed the graduates and their guests.

“In my brief time in Scranton, I have met few residents of this valley more committed to our common good and well-being than Austin,” said Father Quinn, who also congratulated the graduates on their achievements. 

Degrees were conferred by Father Quinn to candidates presented by W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Also at the ceremony, graduate students were honored for outstanding academic achievement in their academic area. Outstanding Academic Awards were presented to Alycia Ann Crilly of Wanaque, N.J., physical therapy; Jessica Sylvia Hubiak of Taylor, chemistry; Ann Elizabeth Zeleniak of Taylor, biochemistry; Ali Abdullah Aljaraish of Speedway, Ind., general business; Ali Salem F. Alsagoor of Scranton, management information systems; Ali Helal Askar of Lake Ariel, international business; Samer Bandak of Walnutport, operations management; Jennifer Lea Heiker of Wheaton, Ill., general business; Pamela L. Hughes of Gouldsboro, accounting; Leonard Michael Negvesky of Tunkhannock, operations management; Jessica Jean Palmeri of Kingston, marketing; Dustin F. Partridge of Stafford, Va., finance; Jude Roblo Rosario of Oceanside, Calif., healthcare management; Abby Marie Ruud of Carlisle, enterprise resource planning; Michael Joseph Tornetta of Blue Bell, finance; Jeffrey Aaron Sitko of Scranton, health administration; Christine Elizabeth Buck of Voorhees, N.J., educational administration; Kerry Ann Charpinsky of Simsbury, Conn., educational administration; Stamatia Maria Dimou of Center Valley, reading education; Patricia Lamsey Dungan of Chattanooga, Tenn., human resources; Elise L. Gower of Atglen, elementary education; Daniel Michael Jackowitz of Avoca, software engineering; Susan Elizabeth Lapacinski of Philadelphia, curriculum and instruction; Jessica Marie Linck of Moosic, clinical chemistry; Rena Rosenblum Loughlin of Plymouth, community counseling; Janette Lynn MacKay of Seattle, Wash., curriculum and instruction; Tracie A. Maille of Scranton, rehabilitation counseling; Nina Teresa Muto of Clarks Summit, school counseling; Katherine Florence Regimbal of Randolph, N.J., occupational therapy; Michele Eileen Suchecki of Sugarloaf, secondary education; Lisa Dorothy Zacheiss of Scotrun, family nurse practitioner; and Lisa Zmiejko of Alburtis, nurse anesthesia.

For a list of graduates, click here.