University Confers Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

The University of Scranton conferred more than 600 master’s and doctoral degrees at a virtual celebration ceremony on May 30. Degrees were conferred to graduates in a group who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2019, as well as January and May of 2020. A formal commencement ceremony, at which graduates will be individually recognized, will take place on Oct. 25 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre.

The University conferred five doctor of nursing practice degrees, 40 doctor of physical therapy degrees and more than 570 master’s degrees in various disciplines. Graduates represented several foreign countries and 31 states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia 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, occupational therapy and educational administration.

The virtual celebration included remarks by University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. Degrees were conferred by Father Pilarz upon candidates presented by Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies; Sam Beldona, 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 virtual ceremony were graduate students Matthew H. Aitken, Edison, New Jersey, and Emily Mary Pavlick Okrepkie, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry; and Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Congratulatory remarks were also given by Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.

An archived recording of the ceremony can be seen here.