University Confers Master’s and Doctoral Degrees
Grand Marshal and Mace Bearer Ann Pang-White, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and director of Asian studies at The University of Scranton, leads the academic procession on the University’s Commons. The University conferred nearly 600 master’s and doctoral degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony on May 26 in the Byron Recreation Complex.The University of Scranton conferred nearly 600 master’s and doctoral degrees at its graduate commencement ceremony on May 26 in the Byron Recreation Complex. Graduates recognized at the ceremony include those who completed their degree requirements in August and December of 2017, as well as January and May of 2018.
The University conferred five doctor of nursing practice degrees, 46 doctor of physical therapy degrees and more than 540 master’s degrees in various disciplines. Graduates represented several foreign countries and 30 states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington, among others. The programs with the most graduates at Scranton were the master of business administration, master of accountancy, master of health administration, educational administration and occupational therapy.
Peter J. Danchak ’84, regional president, PNC Bank, Northeast Pennsylvania, served as principal speaker and received an honorary degree at the ceremony.
In his address, Danchak discussed the chances people took on him that helped him attend and graduate from The University of Scranton and become successful in his career. He told graduates to “never underestimate the power you have every day to make a difference in someone’s life.”
“Today is an important milestone for you,” said Danchak. “You earned your master’s degree. You most likely will manage a department, a division or even your own company someday. You will be looked up to as a leader – someone with great responsibility. Please keep at the forefront of your life the Jesuit values that brought you here today.”
University of Scranton Interim President Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., also addressed the graduates and their guests. Degrees were conferred by Father Keller upon candidates presented by Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies; Michael O. Mensah, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management; and Brian P. Conniff, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Also speaking at the ceremony were Joseph H. Dreisbach, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs; Christina Whitney, director of the University’s Gerard R. Roche Center for Career Development; Michael K. Short ’99, Alumni Society president; and David J. Dzurec III, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the History Department.
Graduate students were honored for academic achievement in their specific academic area. Outstanding Academic Awards were presented to Aida Milcetic, Manhasset, New York, Doctor of Nursing Practice, and Amanda Elizabeth Kuptsow, Huntington Valley, Doctor of Physical Therapy. Outstanding Academic Awards for master’s level programs were presented to the following graduates in the programs as listed: Caitlin A. Brosnan, New City, New York, occupational therapy; Nicholas J. Bunts, Endwell, New York, healthcare management; Christopher M. Cambria, Edmond, Oklahoma, accounting/human resources; Kaley Crebs, Orlando, Florida, international business; Natalie Rheta Davison, Bayonne, New Jersey, rehabilitation counseling; Jason James DeStefano, Wayne, New Jersey, enterprise resources planning; Syed Muhammad Hurr Hussain Shah Hamdani, Scranton, finance; Paul J. Griffin, Blairstown, New Jersey, chemistry; Gabriel Gerard Gross, Exeter, clinical mental health counseling; Lynne J. Keenan, Doylestown, human resources; Kiel James Kelly, Bethlehem, nurse anesthesia; Celine A. Langlard, Scranton, secondary education; Craig Schuler Lind, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, software engineering; Michael Ellsworth Newell, White Bear Township, Minnesota, general business administration; Timothy M. Poole, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, theology; Marco Mario Richione IV, South Abington Township, finance/management information systems; Samantha Saylock, Moscow, biochemistry; Erik Stanley Schab, Taylor, health administration; Christopher George Scott, Oceanside, California, accounting/operations management; Louis A. Solomon, Hamilton, New Jersey, educational administration; Stephanie Lynn Tantum-Conserette, Yardley, marketing; Thomas Francis Walsh, Westwood, New Jersey, curriculum and instruction; Zachary W. Watters, Olyphant, school counseling; Patrick N. Wende, Easton, health informatics; and Samantha Wojcik, Brooklyn, New York, special education.
An archived recording of the ceremony can be seen at www.scranton.edu/eventslive.
