Pennsylvania Western University will honor its fall 2025 graduates during simultaneous commencement ceremonies on December 13 across the California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses.
Undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, the College of Education, Arts and Humanities, and the College of Science, Technology and Business will participate in the 10 a.m. ceremonies.
The ceremonies will be livestreamed.
“Commencement is a moment when hard work becomes opportunity,” said Dr. Jon Anderson, president of PennWest. “Our graduates have persevered, grown, and distinguished themselves, and we are proud to celebrate all they have achieved. We look forward to the impact they will make in their professions and communities.”
Nearly 900 students from the California, Clarion, Edinboro and online campuses will graduate this fall and winter, although not all of them have chosen to participate in the ceremonies.
Faculty mace bearers will represent their colleagues at each ceremony. 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.
Additional information for graduates and guests
California Campus – Convocation Center
President Jon Anderson will deliver greetings and confer degrees at the California campus.
Leading the academic procession by carrying the ceremonial mace will be Dr. Robert Skwarecki, professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Alexis Steenburg, of Coal Township, Pennsylvania, will deliver the student address. Steenburg is earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in law and justice, an associate degree in engineering technology with a concentration in electrical engineering technology, and a minor in honors interdisciplinary studies. She has held leadership roles in Panhellenic Council, Alpha Sigma Alpha, the Student Honors Advisory Board, and the Student Government Association. A dedicated ambassador and orientation leader, Alexis has earned multiple leadership awards and represented PennWest at regional and national conferences.
Barbara Logue, member of the PennWest Council of Trustees, and A. Tereasa Rerko (California ’79, ’20), president of the California Alumni Association, will also address the graduates.
Clarion Campus – Marwick-Boyd Auditorium
Susanne Fenske, vice president for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs, will deliver greetings from President Anderson and confer degrees at the Clarion campus ceremony.
Dr. Anthony Vega, professor in the Biology, Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, will serve as mace bearer.
Zachary Troese, a psychology major and lifelong Clarion resident, will deliver the student address. Troese has been a dedicated campus leader, serving as public relations and marketing chair and later president of the University Activities Board. He is well known for running Activities TV and has been active in the Clarion Choir, homecoming court, the Clarion Store and the Clarion Student Association Board. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling to become a high school guidance counselor.
Timothy John, student member of the PennWest Council of Trustees; Neil Weaver (Clarion ’00), a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governors; and Samantha Thauvette (Clarion ’09), president of the Clarion Alumni Association, will give remarks to the Class of 2025.
Edinboro Campus – McComb Fieldhouse
Dr. James Fisher, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will confer degrees at the Edinboro campus and deliver greetings from President Anderson.
Dr. Brian Zimmerman, interim associate dean of the College of Science, Technology and Business, will lead the academic procession by carrying the ceremonial mace.
Robert Moats, a health and physical education major from Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania, will deliver the student address at Edinboro. Moats has embraced leadership and service across campus, working in campus recreation, at the rock wall, in the fitness center, and with intramurals and club sports. He has also been active in student life and the University Programming Board and served two years as secretary of the Student Government Association.
Aiden Dougan, student member of the PennWest Council of Trustees, and James Alexander (Edinboro ’73), member of the Edinboro Alumni Association board, will offer remarks to the Class of 2025.