Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program Graduates

Thirty-seven members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2021 graduated from its Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program (SJLA), which is one of Scranton’s programs of excellence. Students in SJLA pursue a rigorous education designed to develop enhanced writing, oral and critical-thinking skills through specially designed courses in philosophy, theology and literature.

The following is a list of the class of 2021 SJLA Honors Program graduates and their majors.

Nicholas P. Brown, Kingston, graduated, cum laude, as a biochemistry and philosophy double major.

Brittany Cadwalder, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology major. Cadwalder was also a member of the University’s undergraduate Honors Program.

Elizabeth F. Carpenter, Philadelphia, graduated as a computer science major.

Alaina T. Ciorra, Merrick, New York, graduated, summa cum laude, as a psychology and philosophy double major.

Alena J. Couto, Edison, New Jersey, graduated as a neuroscience and philosophy double major.

Matthew M. DeBenedetto, Westfield, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a operations management and philosophy double major. DeBenedetto was also a member of the University’s Business Leadership Honors Program.

Laura E. Demytrk, Bushkill, graduated, cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

Kristen M. Denniston, Hawley, graduated, cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology and philosophy double major.

Colette J. Deppe, East Amherst, New York, graduated as a biomathematics and philosophy double major.

Elena K. Donato, Langhorne, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major. Donato was also a member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Maxwell B. Earl, Clarks Summit, graduated, magna cum laude, as a journalism - electronic media and philosophy double major.

Molly K. Elkins, Owings, Maryland, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology and philosophy double major. Elkins was also a member of the University’s undergraduate Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM. She was the recipient of the University's full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Emily E. Foster, West Chester, graduated, magna cum laude, as a marketing and philosophy double major.

Christopher P. Gallant, Doylestown, graduated, cum laude, as an English and philosophy double major.

Jithin V. George, Newtown, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience and biomathematics double major. George was also a member of the University’s undergraduate Honors Program.

Giovanni Gunawan, Scranton, graduated, summa cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major.

Abigail Guziewicz, Peckville, graduated, magna cum laude, as a psychology and philosophy double major.

Braden F. Hood, Abington, graduated as an electrical engineering major.

Andrew N. Lacina, Kingston, graduated, magna cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology and philosophy double major.

Sarah A. Lajeunesse, Havertown, graduated, magna cum laude, as a mathematics and philosophy double major.

Alexis M. Manzo, Moosic, graduated, cum laude, as an accounting and philosophy double major.

Marilyn G. Murphy, Wyckoff, New Jersey, graduated, cum laude, as an accounting major.

Halle T. Music, Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as a biology and philosophy double major.

Elisa R. Palmieri, Northford, Connecticut graduated, cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major.

Mary T. Petrucci, Ambler, graduated, magna cum laude, as an electrical engineering and philosophy double major.

Zeli-Anne V. Policarpio, South Plainfield, New Jersey, graduated as an accounting major.

Mary R. Purcell, Ocean City, New Jersey, graduated, summa cum laude, as an English and philosophy double major.

Christian D. Rickrode, Mountain Top, graduated as a finance and philosophy double major.

Elizabeth R. Ridge, Southampton, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience major. Ridge was also a member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Joshua T. Rudolph, Peckville, graduated, summa cum laude, as a journalism - electronic media and philosophy double major.

James T. Ruff, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, graduated as a computer science and philosophy double major.

Sandra Rutkowski, Lindenhurst, New York, graduated as a biology and philosophy double major.

Michael L. Samulevich, Shickshinny, graduated, cum laude, as a biochemistry, cell, molecular biology and philosophy double major. Samulevich was also a member of the University’s undergraduate Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM.

Amanda B. Tolvaisa, Springfield, graduated, summa cum laude, as an English and philosophy double major. She was the recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship.

Cara F. Webster, Bradford, graduated, magna cum laude, as a neuroscience and philosophy double major. Webster was also a member of the University's undergraduate Honors Program.

Quinn A. Williams, Hawley, graduated as a philosophy major.

Kyle Zaboski, Wyoming, graduated as a strategic communication and philosophy double major.