University Confers Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

The University of Scranton conferred more than 500 master’s and doctoral degrees at an in-person commencement ceremony on May 22 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2020, as well as January and May of 2021.

At the ceremony, the University conferred its first doctor of business administration degrees in addition to doctor of nursing practice degrees, doctor of physical therapy degrees and master’s degrees in various disciplines. Graduates represented several foreign countries and 29 states, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia among others. The programs with the most graduates were the master of business administration, master of accountancy, master of health administration, master of occupational therapy and doctor of physical therapy.

The ceremony included a tribute to the late Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., who served as the University’s 24^th and 27^th president.

Degrees were conferred by Jeffrey P. Gingerich, Ph.D., acting president, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, 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 Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Also speaking at the ceremony was Joseph L. Sorbera, III ’08, president of the University’s Alumni Society. David E. Marx, Ph.D., interim associate provost for academic affairs, provided the Benediction and Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, provided the Invocation.

An archived recording of the ceremony can be seen here.