University Celebrates Donning of the Stole Ceremony

Nearly 70 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 participated in the Jesuit school’s Donning of the Stole Ceremony. The annual ceremony celebrates and honors the accomplishments of members of its graduating class from underrepresented identities who received their undergraduate degrees. The purpose of the ceremony, which was a student-led initiative, was to highlight the students’ success in overcoming the particular barriers and obstacles faced by students from these groups, particularly students of color, in attaining a higher education.

 The students honored include outstanding academic and leadership achievement award recipients, future physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, accountants, teachers, engineers, nurses and many other highly-successful members of the University’s graduating class.

Narissa O. Hill, an early and primary teacher education major from Nashua, New Hampshire, spoke on behalf of the class of 2024 at the ceremony took place on campus May 18 as part of Scranton’s commencement activities and events. Also speaking at the ceremony were: Robert C. Walker, a counseling and human services major from Jersey City, New Jersey; Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., vice president for student life and dean of students; Shaefny Grays, Ed.D., assistant dean of culture and inclusion;  Jose Sanchez, assistant director of the University’s Cultural Centers; and Deniya Thompson, of Scranton’s class of 2020, who offered the Closing Prayer.

Members of Scranton’s class of 2024 receiving stoles were:

Harley Q. Ackerman, Brooklyn, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Elizabeth Anzures, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting;

Kathleen O. Appau, Metuchen, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy;

Anthony L. Baez, Hartsdale, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies;

Augustine D. Brapoh, Coatesville, who earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering;

Curlissa R. Brown, Staten Island, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology;

Emily Burgers, Wayne, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science;

Claudia Campo Mirabent, Tucson, Arizona, who earned a bachelor's degree in advertising/public relations;

Valeria M. Cardenas, Bogota, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and physiology;

Kayla S. Charles, Glenside, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Diego Collado-Ramirez, Bronx, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and electronic media;

Gwyn A. Cruz, Dallas, who earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology;

Ranjeeta Dhungel, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Victoria N. Dowling, East Northport, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience;

Ariana I. Flores, Springfield, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in counseling and human services;

Manci D. Gandhi, Derby, Connecticut, who earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice;

Leandria E. Hercules, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and electronic media;

Itzanamy H. Herrera Solano, Frenchtown, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in physiology;

Narissa O. Hill, Nashua, New Hampshire, who earned a bachelor's degree in early and primary teacher education;

Maggie K. Ho, Edison, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology;

Ikechukwu Z. Igbokwe, Greensboro, North Carolina, who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting;

Raphaella N. Kaphesi, Endicott, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in communication;

David S. Kelly, South Sterling, who earned a bachelor's degree in finance;

Cayla D. Kumar, Queens Village, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology;

Isabella M. Leonardo, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies;

Selene Lopez Contreras, New Rochelle, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in history and public policy and service;

Samantha M. Lowe, Parsippany, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Diana P. Lozinger, Cranberry Township, who earned a bachelor's degree in counseling and human services, philosophy and theology and religious studies;

Sade Lugo, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in engineering management;

Gabriela Suyapa Martinez Contreras, Durham, North Carolina, who earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology;

Elizabeth G. Medrano, Bronx, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in marketing;

Zuleima I. Mero, Wilkes Barre, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Shervin Mokhtari, Clarks Summit, who earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience;

Kyle C. Muirhead, Massapequa, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology;

Kayla E. Murray, Philadelphia, who earned a bachelor's degree in forensic chemistry;

Andrea A. Navarro, Albrightsvlle, who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting;

Emma N. Navarro, Woodside, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in marketing;

Shanice A. Nelson, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology;

Marisol F. Olivares Hernandez, Havelock, North Carolina, who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting;

Madeline Ortiz, Philadelphia, who earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice;

Fidelis N. Osuoha, Bensalem, who earned a bachelor's degree in social media strategies;

Disha Patel, Clarks Summit, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Himani S. Patel, South Abington Township, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Kirtan M. Patel, Albrightsville, who earned a bachelor's degree in computer science;

Maitree V. Patel, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Lauren E. Pelaez, Stroudsburg, who earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering;

Kayla N. Perrong, Shenandoah, who earned a bachelor's degree in biochemistry;

Awni A. Pimentel, Union City, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy;

Vanessa C. Pinto, Jenkins Township, who earned a bachelor's degree in finance;

Adriana L. Piscoya, Mendham, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in marketing;

Yasmin Ramirez, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in management;

Jessenia A. Robles, Stroudsburg, who earned a bachelor's degree in accounting;

Santiago Rodriguez, Dover, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in international business;

Molly J. Rosario, Tobyhanna, who earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology;

Simal Sami, Jessup, who earned a bachelor's degree in information technology;

Jamie M. Santiago Gonzalez, Plains, who earned a bachelor's degree in international business-French concentration and philosophy;

Kyla M. Sheerer, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and criminal justice;

Ryan V. Sophabmixay, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in business communication;

Bennice M. Sporl, Stroudsburg, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology;

Lauren R. Stauch, Phoenixville, who earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology;

Karishma B. Suchit, Orlando, Florida, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Jaclyn E. Tirado, Staten Island, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in neuroscience and philosophy;

Kelsey M. Torres, Long Pond, who earned a bachelor's degree in psychology;

Jessica E. Tsu, Valley Stream, New York, who earned a bachelor's degree in occupational therapy;

Charlie Valdez, Harrisburg, who earned a bachelor's degree in health promotion;

Annaise N. Vazquez, Piscataway, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in early and primary teacher education;

Robert C. Walker, Jersey City, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in counseling and human services;

Britney L. Walsh, Scranton, who earned a bachelor's degree in biology;

Chyenne N. Ward, Clifton, New Jersey, who earned a bachelor's degree in nursing.