Penn State Behrend Commencement Program — Spring 2026

Fox Graduate School

MASTER’S DEGREES

Business Administration, M.B.A.

Angela Marie Belack

Jill Irene Blair

Ryan Alexander Campbell

Andrew Christopher Cassano

Michaela Chryslin Florence

Lauren Freyvogel

Kristy Guerrier

Mairim Irizarry Perez

Danielle Ciara Jackson

Dave Ryan Jean Paulemon

Grace Marie Jones

Conor Andrew Kessy

Demitrios Athanasios Lampros

Haley Morgan McCall

Matthew Robert McDonough

Andrew Wayne Moul

Samuel Joseph Petrarca

Xander Thomas Robertshaw

Jacob Thackeray Squire

RyKai Wright

Clinical Psychology, M.A.

Cedric Tang Nowatzyk

Project Management, M.P.M.

Zhanee A. Anderson

Sabahat Aziz

Briana Makenzie Balsbough

Stephanie C. Bekelja

Autumn Jane Biebel

Aziz Chenouda

Samiha Nuran Choudhury

April Cockburn

Shaekinah Cyrus

Diane Damino

Jamie Lynn Dunlap

Tia Jackson

Agnieszka Lechwar

Nancy Luu

Christopher Anthony Lynch Jr.

Shahriar Niroomand

Keira B. O’Hara

Haley Onkotz

Sophia Alexander Orr

Hailey Patrice Pletz

Hailee Marie Shuman

Anisa Kouthong Siharath

Julie Ann Vasbinder

Tania S. Walsh

Gabriel Yurkanin

Quality and Manufacturing Management, M.M.M.

Salieri Santino Allen

Kyle Henry Hemond

Beatrice Kayumba Kay

Mitchel C. Ray

Jacob Walker Rey

Aaron Lee Teel

Nicholas P. Vitelli

indicated upon the individuals listed herein and upon such others as may meet the requirements.

This publication is available in alternative media on request. The University is committed to equal access to programs, facilities, admission and employment for all persons. It is the policy of the University to maintain an environment free of harassment and free of discrimination against any person because of age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, marital or family status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, physical or mental disability, gender, perceived gender, gender identity, genetic information or political ideas. Discriminatory conduct and harassment, as well as sexual misconduct and relationship violence, violates the dignity of individuals, impedes the realization of the University’s educational mission, and will not be tolerated. Direct all inquiries regarding Penn State’s non-discrimination policy to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access, The Pennsylvania State University, 502 Rider Building, University Park, PA 16801, Email: oeoa@psu.edu, Tel (814) 863-0471. UBR EBO 26-116

About Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend, a four-year and graduate college of Penn State, offers students the resources and opportunities of a major research university in a welcoming student-centered learning environment. As part of Pennsylvania’s land-grant university, the college works to advance the economic, social, and intellectual welfare of our region through research and outreach.

Penn State Behrend was established in 1948 with Mary Behrend’s gift of her 400-acre Glenhill Farm. She made the gift in memory of her husband, Ernst, co-founder with his father and brother of the Hammermill Paper Company, which became part of International Paper.

The college now offers nearly 50 degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's degree levels. From the first class of 146 students at what was then known as the Behrend Center, enrollment has grown to nearly 4,400 students learning on campus and online in Behrend programs offered through Penn State World Campus. Behrend alumni number more than 40,000.

Behrend ranks among the top public educational institutions in the state for student-to-faculty ratio, first-year student retention rate, and graduation rate,

according to data from U.S. News & World Report.

More than 1,200 Behrend students live on campus in traditional-style rooms or in suites or apartments. There is an abundance of activities for students to get involved in outside the classroom, including 140 student clubs and organizations, twenty-four NCAA Division III teams, and intramural sports.

Today’s 854-acre campus includes Knowledge Park, where 20 companies engage with the college through the Open Lab model of learning: Students and faculty experts collaborate with external partners to develop new products, processes, and services, extending their learning beyond the classroom.

Research is a critical area of focus for the college. Annually, Behrend funds undergraduate research opportunities, and faculty members participate in more than $8 million in sponsored research. In outreach, the college has more than two dozen centers, programs, and initiatives serving business and industry, area youth, and the community. Each year, Behrend contributes more than $175 million to the Commonwealth’s economy.

Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows

Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows members

serve as valued advisers to the college Chancellor; as advocates for the mission, vision, and activities of the college; and as ambassadors for the college in the Erie region, across the country, and around the world.

Council members represent a cross-section of business, industrial, service, and community organizations and contribute their professional expertise and personal insights to conversations about the future direction of Penn State Behrend.

Members may provide counsel on matters ranging from strategic planning and community and business relations to fundraising and alumni affairs.

The business of the Council is managed by a Board of Directors.

Focused activities of the group are undertaken through four committees: Executive; Governance; Communications and Engagement; and Development.

COUNCIL OF FELLOWS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair: Tesha Nesbit

Director Emeritus: Gary L. Clark

Director Emeritus/University Trustee

Emeritus: Robert D. Metzgar

Directors:

Samuel P. Black III

Bishop Dwane Brock

Dr. Christopher C. Clark

Michael Colpoys

Dr. Ralph M. Ford

Dr. Priscilla H. Hamilton

Thomas C. Hoffman II Esq.

Karen Burton Horstman

Philip Katen

Brian M. Kupchella

J. Scott McCain

Ann Karmazon Scott

Matthew W. Totzke

Gregory M. Yahn

Dr. Halina M. Zyczynski

Executive Director: Andrea Konkol

Ex Officio Director: Jeffrey Lasky

Secretary/Treasurer: Britt Daehnke

VISION OF A BEHREND GRADUATE

Penn State Behrend has a history and future of developing thinkers, creators, and innovators who build opportunities out of challenges, competence out of curiosity, and proficiency out of potential.

We produce graduates who are prepared for success in their professions, passionate about their work, and committed to lifelong learning; who are open to new experiences and diverse perspectives; and who possess interdisciplinary knowledge and a global and ethical outlook—all critical to thriving in an ever-changing world.

We empower our students through highly engaged instruction, research, and out-of-class opportunities, combined with a distinctive Open Laboratory model of learning and discovery that connects students to business, industry, alumni, and community partners— giving them real-world experiences while benefitting these partners.

With purpose, we develop graduates who are widely recognized for the contributions they make to their professions, to their communities, and to the world around them.

PENN STATE ALMA MATER

By Fred Lewis Pattee

For the glory of old State, For her founders, strong and great, For the future that we wait, Raise the song, raise the song.

Sing our love and loyalty, Sing our hopes that, bright and free, Rest, O Mother dear, with thee. All with thee, all with thee.

When we stood at childhood’s gate, Shapeless in the hands of fate, Thou didst mold us, dear old State, Dear old State, dear old State.

May no act of ours bring shame, To one heart that loves thy name, May our lives but swell thy fame, Dear old State, dear old State!