Alvernia University celebrated more than 600 students in the Class of 2024 with a commencement ceremony at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, Pa. on May 11, 2023.
Graduating students that live in Schuylkill County included:
- Jennifer Andruchek of Pottsville earned at Master of Education degree
- Taylor Killian of Pottsville earned at Associate of Science degree
- Stormie Leddy of Pottsville earned at Associate of Science degree
- Shane Martin of Pottsville earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- Dahirys Pepin Sanchez of Pottsville earned at Bachelor of Science degree
- Oluwatobiloba Somori of Pottsville earned at Bachelor of Science degree
- Melissa Thompson of Pottsville earned at Associate of Science degree
- Kayla Zimmerman of Pottsville earned at Associate of Science degree
- Rachel Green of Ashland earned at Associate of Science degree
- Payton Jenkins of Ashland earned at Associate of Science degree
- Allyson Snyder of Ashland earned at Master of Education degree
- Emma Meitzler of Auburn earned at Associate of Science degree
- Joely Oswald of Auburn earned at Associate of Science degree
- Ashlyn Herring of Brockton earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- Charles Kustan of Cumbola earned at Master of Education degree
- Natasha Rose of Frackville earned at Associate of Science degree
- Jordan Karmonick of Mahanoy City earned at Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
- Jill Fetrow of Minersville earned at Associate of Science degree
- Seth Hubler of Minersville earned at Master of Arts degree
- Sarah Costa of Orwigsburg earned at Bachelor of Science degree
- Joelle Bretz of Pine Grove earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- Alice Felty of Pine Grove earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- McKenzy Frantz of Pine Grove earned at Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
- Tiffany Kohr of Pine Grove earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- Rebecca McCormick of Pine Grove earned at Associate of Science degree
- Aimmee Reilly of Pine Grove earned at Master of Education degree
- Michael Little of Ringtown earned at Associate of Science degree
- Monica Drum of Saint Clair earned at Associate of Science degree
- Kyle Beveridge of Schuylkill Haven earned at Bachelor of Social Work degree
- Tanya Cartwright of Schuylkill Haven earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- Eric Donatti of Schuylkill Haven earned at Master of Business Administration degree
- Jessi Skelton of Schuylkill Haven earned at Bachelor of Science degree
- Kristen Berger of Tremont earned at Bachelor of Science degree
- Ashley Thompson of Tremont earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- Megan Hine of Andreas earned at Master of Education degree
- Tori Serafine of McAdoo earned at Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree
- Ashleigh Urban of McAdoo earned at Bachelor of Science degree
- Brittany Fryer of Tamaqua earned at Bachelor of Arts degree
- Mykaela Neifert of Tamaqua earned at Associate of Science degree
- Paige Pratt of Tamaqua earned at Associate of Science degree
Graduates earned associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees as the university celebrated an indoor commencement at Santander Arena for the first time since 2019. Beginning this year, the university restructured its graduating student event schedule to allow for more accessible travel for parents and other loved ones to participate in the various events, which included health science programs pinning ceremonies, a senior athlete award reception, an honors convocation and a baccalaureate mass.
"The Class of 2024 has faced unparalleled challenges, navigating the turbulent waters of the COVID-19 pandemic with unwavering strength and resilience," said student speaker and youngest graduate Cora Cox. "Despite the upheaval it brought to our lives, we refused to be defined by adversity. Instead, we rose to the occasion, demonstrating extraordinary adaptability and perseverance in the face of uncertainty. The world eagerly awaits your brilliance, your passion, and your boundless potential. Go forth and make your mark on the world, knowing that you carry with you the values of Alvernia and the spirit of service, compassion, and humility."
Longtime public service executive and global engagement leader George S. Rice, Jr. '85 was presented with an honorary degree of humane letters and shared his experiences through the concepts of language and space to inspire the Class of 2024.
"The imprint you make will set the tone for those who come after you," said Rice. "They'll need your vision. My generation and every generation are represented in this room we need your vision. What you're taking away today from Alvernia isn't a rote vision to implement. Rather, it's the capacity to take in all that you experience in order to shape a vision. To use language and intent to nurture that vision. To make that vision the space in which we live. The space where we can all thrive."
Watch the full ceremony here: https://www.alvernia.edu/commencement-2024