The University of Scranton conferred more than 900 bachelor’s and associate degrees at its undergraduate commencement on May 26 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.
Graduates included recipients of some of the nation’s most prestigious scholarships, including the Truman Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship and multiple Fulbright scholarships. Graduates represented 13 states, including Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia. Majors with the most graduates in 2013 are biology, nursing, accounting, exercise science, communication, psychology and occupational therapy.
Sandra Postel, a respected author, scholar, lecturer and consultant on global water protection, and director of the Global Water Policy Project, served as commencement speaker. Postel advised graduates to keep “the tradition of service with you, because nothing can bring you more happiness or fulfillment than serving a cause greater than yourself.” Postel also received an honorary degree from the University at the ceremony.
Graduates Commissioned as Second Lieutenants
Twelve members of the University’s class of 2013 were among the 16 ROTC graduates commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army at a ceremony held in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center. Standing from left: 2nd Lt. Sean Cogan, Scranton grad and Military Intelligence branch detailed armor; 2nd Lt. Kevin Demko, Scranton grad and Dental Corps; 2nd Lt. Sean Kulaga, Scranton grad and Adjutant General branch detailed Field Artillery; 2nd Lt. Ian McCaughey, Scranton grad and Armor; 2nd Lt. Timothy Olds, Infantry; 2nd Lt. Irvin Anglin, Military Intelligence; 2nd Lt. Robert Coccio, Ordnance; 2nd Lt. Ian Poshka, Transportation Corps; Kaitlin Bolster, Scranton grad and Army Nurse Corps; Jessica Persoon, Scranton grad and Aviation. Seated from left: 2nd Lt. Victoria Meyer, Scranton grad and Army Nurse Corps; 2nd Lt. Carina Hanks, Scranton grad and Medical Service; 2nd Lt. Amanda Hane, Scranton grad and Quartermaster Corps; 2nd Lt. Jennifer Bullis, Scranton grad and Army Nurse Corps; 2nd Lt. Lisa Delbridge, Scranton grad and Army Nurse Corps; Sydney Carmody, Scranton grad and Army Nurse Corps.
Record Number of DPT Degrees Conferred at Graduate School Commencement
The University’s 2013 graduate school commencement was held May 25 at the Byron Recreation Complex. The University conferred 65 doctoral degrees in physical therapy, the most in its history, at the ceremony. The University also conferred 748 master’s degrees at the commencement.
Graduates represented 38 states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia. Programs with the most graduates at Scranton were educational administration, curriculum and instruction, MBA, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, served as the principal speaker. The University awarded Burke an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree in 1998. Burke also served as a trustee from 1991 to 1997.
View more photos from commencement on the University's Flickr page.
