Pennsylvania Western University’s Edinboro campus will hold spring commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, in the McComb Fieldhouse.
Undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Education, Arts, and Humanities and the College of Science, Technology, and Business will participate in the 10 a.m. ceremony. The afternoon ceremony will include students from the College of Health Sciences and Human Services.
10 a.m.: Edinboro Commencement Livestream
2:30 p.m.: Edinboro Commencement Livestream
“We look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2024, remembering that education isn’t a destination; it’s a lifelong adventure of curiosity, exploration and knowledge,” said Dr. R. Lorraine Bernotsky, interim president of PennWest. “There’s no doubt that the hard work and commitment that fueled these graduates on our campuses will propel them forward throughout the next steps of their personal and professional journeys.”
Dr. James Fisher, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will confer associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees upon graduates during the two ceremonies.
Dr. Mary Paniccia Carden, dean of the College of Education, Arts, and Humanities, will serve as master of ceremonies at Edinboro. Before assuming her current role, Carden was an English faculty member at Edinboro for 20 years, a department chairperson and a two-time Scholar of the Year.
Pittsburgh native DJ Ubinger will deliver the student address at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Ubinger will graduate magna cum laude with a B.S.Ed. in secondary education social studies and a minor in history; he plans to become a high school teacher following graduation.
On campus, Ubinger has worked as a community assistant, participated in the Peer Responders Program through Ghering Health Center, and is a brother of the national theatre honor society Alpha Psi Omega.
Lauren Mullen, a graduate of Bethel Park High School in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, will address fellow members of the Class of 2024 at the afternoon ceremony. Mullen will graduate magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a minor in biology.
She was a member of the women’s basketball team for four years and served as a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Council.
Additional speakers include Patricia Kennedy ’85 (10 a.m.) and Mark Bellini ’79 (2:30 p.m.) from PennWest’s Council of Trustees, and Jennifer Butler Williams ’03, M’06, vice president of the Edinboro Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Leading the academic procession and representing his faculty colleagues by carrying the Ceremonial Mace will be Dr. Thomas White, a retired faculty member and former chairperson of the Department of Nursing.
The mace bearer distinction emphasizes the importance of faculty in PennWest’s academic environment and the central role that faculty play in the academic and personal development of students.
Members of Edinboro Army ROTC will present the colors at the beginning of both ceremonies. Music will be provided by Edinboro Pipes and Drums, directed by Dr. Bryan Crable, and the PennWest Edinboro Singers, directed by Cody Mott.
Additional information for graduates and guests is available here.