California, Clarion, Edinboro, Global Online

PennWest to celebrate spring 2025 graduates

April 30, 2025

Pennsylvania Western University is set to honor its spring 2025 graduates in a series of commencement ceremonies May 3, 2025, across its California, Clarion, and Edinboro campuses.

Undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Health Sciences and Human Services will participate in the 10 a.m. ceremony. The 2:30 p.m. ceremony will include undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Education, Arts and Humanities, and the College of Science Technology and Business.

The ceremonies will be livestreamed: https://www.pennwest.edu/about/events/commencement/ceremony-livestream.php

"Commencement is a celebration of hard work, resilience, and dreams realized,” said Dr. Jonathan Anderson, president of PennWest. “We look forward to honoring the achievements of our graduates and look forward with great anticipation to the contributions they will make to their professions, their communities and the world."

More than 1,800 students from the California, Clarion, Edinboro and online campuses will graduate this spring, although not all of them have chosen to participate in the ceremonies. Additional information for graduates and guests is available at https://www.pennwest.edu/about/events/commencement/

California Campus – Convocation Center

Dr. James Fisher, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will confer degrees at the California campus and deliver greetings from President Jon Anderson, who will attend ceremonies on the Edinboro campus.

Cassidy McCormick, a preK-4 early childhood education major from McMurray, Pennsylvania, will deliver the student address at both California ceremonies. McCormick has served as president of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, financial secretary for the Student Government Association, and a board member for several student organizations. She plans to become an elementary school teacher.

Tyrique Whitson, student trustee on 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 – Tippin Gymnasium

James Geiger, vice president for Advancement and Clarion campus administrator, will deliver greetings from President Jon Anderson, who will attend the Edinboro ceremony, and confer degrees at the Clarion campus ceremonies.

Clarion will feature two student speakers:

10 a.m.: Joseph Feiser, a psychology major from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, is a member of the men’s swimming and diving team, and president of multiple student organizations. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at PennWest.

2:30 p.m.: Gage Gray, a biology major originally from Rogersville, Pennsylvania, has been deeply involved in campus life and student affairs and will continue his education with a master’s degree in counseling.

Larry Pickett (Clarion ’77), vice chair of the PennWest Council of Trustees; Thomas Launer (Clarion ’20), president of the Clarion Alumni Association; and Dr. Diana Rogers-Adkinson, PASSHE vice chancellor and chief academic officer, will give remarks to the Class of 2025.

Edinboro Campus – McComb Fieldhouse

President Jon Anderson will deliver greetings and confer degrees at Edinboro’s ceremony, which will showcase three student speakers:

10 a.m.: Garrett Hannah, an economics major with minors in political science and business, is president of the Student Government Association and a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.

2:30 p.m.: Chloe McMullen and Sonia Yost will address graduates. McMullen, majoring in middle level education, has held leadership roles in the Highland Ambassadors and Student Pennsylvania State Education Association. Yost, graduating with a degree in English, served as the student trustee on the PennWest Council of Trustees. She plans to further her education in student affairs and higher education.

Mark Bellini (Edinboro ’79) and Danny Jones (Edinboro ’13), members of the PennWest Council of Trustees; and James Alexander (Edinboro ’73) will give remarks to the Class of 2025.