Scranton Holds 2026 Undergraduate Commencement
The University of Scranton’s Class of 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony was held Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Township. Among the 900-plus graduates, 14 states, three countries and 61 majors were represented.EDITOR'S NOTE: This story will be updated on Tuesday, May 26, with additional photos.
The University of Scranton awarded undergraduate degrees to more than 900 members of the Class of 2026. The newest Scranton alumni received their bachelor’s degrees on Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township. Graduates must have completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2025, as well as January and May of 2026.
The most populous states in this year’s graduating class included Pennsylvania (46%), New York (27%) and New Jersey (20%). Graduates hailed from 11 other states, stretching as far west as Washington and as south as Florida and Texas. The countries of Ireland and Ukraine were represented, as well.
The most common major among the graduates was nursing (10%), while accounting, biology, business administration, criminal justice, finance, kinesiology and occupational therapy represented about 5% each. In total, the graduates covered 61 distinct majors.
Following the processional and a welcome by Tracy M. Stewart, Ph.D., interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, the Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., H’14, Bishop of Scranton, provided the Invocation.
Sajidul Alam ’26, a double major in political science and philosophy from Kingston, addressed his fellow graduates as the class speaker.
Alam spoke about how the University became “home” for the Class of 2026, referencing two quotes that graduates have seen and heard throughout their daily travels at Scranton.
“‘Go forth and set the world on fire.’ At first, it may have sounded like a call to do something big, something enormous. But Scranton has taught us that sometimes, it means taking what we have learned here and carrying forward those values with intention, integrity, compassion and purpose,” Alam said. “And there is another idea that defines this place, one that is etched on the side of the DeNaples Center: ‘Not where I breathe, but where I love, I live.’ For the past four years, The University of Scranton has been that place.”
Following Alam’s remarks, the University conferred honorary degrees to former Dominican University president Donna M. Carroll, Ed.D.; attorney and University alumnus Vincent F. Reilly, Esq. ’80; and longtime educator Jack Raslowsky.
Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76, G’83, H’15, then took the stage as the principal speaker. Dr. Pennington’s 40-plus-year career in higher education administration, prior to retiring in 2021, included 22 years as vice president for student development and campus life at Montclair State University.
In addition to serving as the principal speaker, Dr. Pennington celebrated her class reunion. She and other 1976 graduates gathered before the ceremony, reminiscing on their historic class — the University’s first undergraduate, full-time student class to include women.
Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., president, conferred degrees upon candidates presented by the deans of the University’s three colleges: Victoria H. Castellanos, Ph.D., Leahy College of Health Sciences; Mark Higgins, Ph.D., Kania School of Management; and Carolyn M. Barry, Ph.D., College of Arts and Sciences.
Following the awarding of diplomas, Christopher J. Neumann, Esq. ’87, president of the alumni society, addressed the graduates, as did Father Marina. Megan E. Heeder, Ph.D., assistant professor of theology, provided the benediction prior to the recessional.
Music throughout the event was provided by the University’s concert band and singers.
An archived recording of the ceremony is available online.
