Pennsylvania Western University will hold fall commencement ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, on the PennWest California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses.
Undergraduate and graduate students from the colleges of Education, Arts and Humanities; Health Sciences and Human Services; and Science, Technology and Business will participate in the ceremonies. Overall, more than 1,000 degrees are scheduled to be awarded.
For more details about commencement and a link to the livestream from each campus, visit PennWest Commencement.
CALIFORNIA
Dr. Donna Wilson, vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and chief academic officer, will bring greetings from the Office of the Chancellor at the ceremony in the Convocation Center.
Dr. Brenda Fredette, dean of the College of Science, Technology and Business will be the master of ceremonies.
Dr. Daniel Engstrom, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, will bring greetings from the R. Lorraine Bernotsky, D.Phil., interim president.
Linda Takash was chosen as the student speaker. Takash has worked at PennWest California for 18 years, currently as interim acting manager of Global Online. She is majoring in liberal studies and sociology with a concentration in social deviance. She lives in Uniontown, Pa., with her husband, Patick, and children Marissa and Ryan.
Other speakers include Barry Niccolai ’93, member of the PennWest Council of Trustees; Dr. Deborah Grubb, associate dean of the College of Education, Arts and Humanities; Dr. Robert Mehalik, interim associate dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services; A. Tereasa Rerko, J.D. ‘’79, ‘’20, president of the California Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Lisa Driscoll, assistant professor and chair of TRIO and Academic Services, will be the mace bearer.
CLARION
Interim President R. Lorraine Bernotsky, D.Phil., will address graduates at Clarion and confer degrees at Marwick Boyd Finer Arts Center.
Dr. Deborah Kelly, dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, will be master of ceremonies.
London Fuller was chosen as the student speaker on the Clarion campus. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Fuller has garnered numerous academic and athletics awards as an interdisciplinary studies major and a member of the Clarion Golden Eagles volleyball team. She has earned Student-Athlete Scholarships each year since 2019 and was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year in 2022.
Additionally, Fuller is a member of the Clarion KUDETS step team and Clarion’s Black Student Union. During her time at Clarion, she completed pre-veterinary and experiential internships at Evergreen Veterinary Care in Baltimore and the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium Water’s Edge, respectively.
Other speakers include Kathy Pape ’75, chair of the PennWest Council of Trustees; Dr. Timothy Stevenson, associate dean of the College of Education, Arts and Humanities; and Thomas Launer ’10, president of the Clarion Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Dr. Jeanne Slattery will be the mace bearer.
EDINBORO
Dr. Mary Paniccia Carden, dean of the College of Education, Arts and Humanities, will be master of ceremonies at McComb Fieldhouse.
James Geiger, vice president for University Advancement, will deliver greetings on behalf of R. Lorraine Bernotsky, D.Phil., interim president of PennWest. Geiger also will confer degrees to graduates.
Sarah Keating, who is graduating with a degree in business administration with a concentration in personal finance planning, was selected to be the student speaker at Edinboro. She was born in China and raised in Erie, Pa., and graduated from high school in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During her time at Edinboro, Keating served as member of the Edinboro Honors Program, the Personal Financial Planning Club, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office and Highland Ambassadors. Since 2022, Keating has also served as president of Edinboro’s Student Government Association. Outside of classes, Keating completed a corporate internship with The Vanguard Group and an apprenticeship with Rebich Investments in Edinboro.
Additional speakers include Danny Jones, member of the PennWest Council of Trustees; Craig Coleman, associate dean of the College of Health Science and Human Services; Dr. Brian Zimmerman, associate dean of the College of Science, Technology and Business; and Mitchell Kallay ’90 president of the Edinboro Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Dr. Baher Ghosheh, emeriti faculty, will be the mace bearer.