Pitt-Greensburg Commencement celebrates the Class of 2024

The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg held its annual commencement on Saturday, April 27, in Chambers Hall Gymnasium (150 Finoli Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601). As in the recent past, two ceremonies (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) were held in order to allow graduates and their guests to sit together in small groups, creating a more personal experience for the graduates and their families. Faculty and staff individually escorted each family into the gymnasium, which further personalized the day's experience.

Pitt-Greensburg's Commencement was live-streamed. Anyone desiring to view the ceremony from their personal computer, tablet computer, or smartphone, can visit www.greensburg.pitt.edu/commencement and click on the link for each ceremony to view these events.

This year's graduates entered college in 2020, and because of the pandemic, graduates experienced an academic journey much different than the typical college student. New policies and precautions put in place meant remote learning, face masks, and small group gatherings with 6-foot distancing were the norm.

Of the 231 students who are eligible to graduate, 192 students registered to participate in the 2024 Commencement ceremonies.

A total of 111 graduates participated in the 10 a.m. ceremony and received Bachelor of Science degrees in Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Data Analytics, Information Technology, Mathematics, Natural Sciences Area, Nursing, and Psychology.

Eighty-one graduates participated in the 1 p.m. ceremony and received Bachelor of Arts degrees and select Bachelor of Science degrees (Anthropology, Communication, Creative and Professional Writing, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, English Literature, Healthcare Management, History, Management, Management-Accounting, Political Science, Public Policy, Secondary Education, Spanish, Spanish Education).

Two alumni offered the Commencement addresses:

PA Representative Andrew Kuzma '18 shared his experience with the graduates at the 10 a.m. ceremony. Kuzma, who resides in Elizabeth Township, PA, graduated from Pitt-Greensburg with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences and a minor in chemistry. He went on to the Duquesne University School of Law, was admitted to practice law in 2021, and founded the Kuzma Law Group, PC, in Elizabeth, PA.

At the age of 18, Kuzma ran for office as an Elizabeth Township Commissioner. During his two terms with the Elizabeth Township Board of Commissioners, including one as president. He went on to win a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2022 and is currently serving the 39th Legislative District (Mon Valley and South Hills area of Pittsburgh). His focus is giving back to the community and stressing the importance of bipartisanship.

At the 1 p.m ceremony, PA Lt. Gov. Austin A. Davis '12 spoke to the graduates. The youngest lieutenant governor in the country and the first Black lieutenant governor in Commonwealth history, Davis's path to the second-highest office in the Commonwealth started in McKeesport. At the age of 16, after a shooting in his neighborhood, Davis started a youth advisory council with the mayor and a youth gun violence prevention program at his high school. Davis went on to study political science at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, becoming a first-generation college graduate in 2012 and then pursuing a career in public service.

He returned to McKeesport to work for the Allegheny County executive, helping to create the first violence prevention office within the Allegheny Department of Health. In 2018, Davis successfully ran for the state House of Representatives to represent the Mon Valley and his hometown, becoming the first African American to represent his legislative district. As lieutenant governor, Davis presides over the Pennsylvania Senate, chairs the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons, leads the Local Government Advisory Committee and serves on the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Council. Gov. Josh Shapiro also appointed Davis to chair the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

As part of Pitt-Greensburg's Legacy Diploma Co-Presentations, 15 students received their diplomas from Dr. Gregerson and members of their families who also hold degrees from the University of Pittsburgh or who are employed in the University of Pittsburgh system. Pitt-Greensburg is the only campus in the Pitt system to offer this opportunity to graduates and their families. It is a visual illustration that Pitt-Greensburg graduates join a large "family" of graduates from the many schools and campuses that comprise the University of Pittsburgh. The Legacy Diploma presentations ncluded the following:

10 a.m. ceremony:

• Shawn Murray, a Psychology major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by his sister Amanda Filipowski '16
  
• Alaina Oldfield, a Biochemistry major from Youngwood, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her brother Jon Oldfield '12

• Evan Painter, a Mathematics major from Harrison City, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by his father Robert Painter ENGR '90 and his mother Laura Painter UPG '92
  
• Joseph Rukavina, an Information Technology major from Leechburg, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by his father Robert Painter ENGR '91 and his brother Michael Rukavina ENGR '18

• Ashley Stefanek, a Nursing major from Yorba Linda, CA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her father Albert Stefanek CGS '82
  
• Emilee Wallace, a Nursing major from Apollo, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her father Richard Wallace CGS '10
  
• Lucas Wycich, an Information Technology major from New Kensington, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by his mother Lisa Distilo UPJ '02
  

1 p.m. Ceremony

• Mariana Bajich, a Biological Sciences major from North Huntingdon, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her aunt Terry Petrick '79
  
• Jocelyn Behr, a Management major from Allison Park, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her father Jeffrey Behr CGS '90
  
• Keith Koenig, a Management major from Ruffsdale, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by his brother Andrew Koenig '17
  
• Olexei Nuttall, an Early Childhood Education major from Latrobe, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her father Richard Nuttall '08
  
• John Romac, a Management major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by his father Nick Romac ENGR '90, MSIE '92
  
• Madison Spahr, a Communication major from North Versailles, PA, whose bachelor of arts degree was co-presented by her sister Courtney Brant '17, her mother Lori Spahr (Pitt employee), and her brother-in-law Bryan Krinberg

• Brynn Tarbuck, a Management major from Harrison City, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her father Michael Tarbuck '97 and in memory of her mother Heather Tarbuck '98

• Jayla Ulyan, a Criminal Justin major from Lowber, PA, whose bachelor of arts degree was co-presented by her father Michael Ulyan '93

• Mary Slobodnyak, a psychology major from West Mifflin, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her mother Rosemary Majewski-Slobodnyak NURS 1987 and sister Anna Slobodnyak-Donaldson ENGR '17

• Ashley Byer, a psychology major from Windber, PA, whose bachelor of science degree was co-presented by her father David Byer UPG '01

• Jason Bush, a double major in mathematics and management from Greensburg, PA, whose degree was co-presented by his mother Cheryl Bush ENGR 1990 and father Derek Bush CGS 1990

• Also of note:
  • Pitt-Greensburg's Class of 2024 included six co-valedictorians
    • Hannah Lafferty - Nursing major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Buffalo Mills, PA
    • Evan Painter - Mathematics major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Harrison City, PA
    • Amber Sterrett - Management-Accounting major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Derry PA
    • Breanna Tomsey - Public Policy major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Chicora, PA
    • Sydney Vickroy - Psychology major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Belle Vernon, PA
    • Lucas Wycich - Information Technology major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from New Kensington, PA
      
  • Pitt-Greensburg Honors Program: In 2020, Pitt-Greensburg initiated a new honors program that provides opportunities for advanced research projects in self-selected areas of professional interest and allows students to plan and deliver enrichment activities to share their research with the broader campus and regional communities. Seven students graduated from the Pitt-Greensburg Honors program this year:
    • Kelsey Bayus - double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Munhall, PA
    • Autumn Buchheit - Biological Sciences major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Uniontown, PA
    • Anthony Gray - Chemistry major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Latrobe, PA
    • Rachel O'Neill - double major in Criminal Justice and Management graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Pittsburgh, PA
    • Breanna Tomsey - Public Policy major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Chicora PA
    • Sydney Vickroy -- Psychology major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Belle Vernon, PA
    • Lucas Wycich - Information Technology major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from New Kensington, PA
      
  • Full-Tuition Scholarship Recipients: Two students have completed their degrees at Pitt-Greensburg using the full-tuition scholarships they were awarded in 2020 as part of Pitt-Greensburg's annual Full-Tuition Scholarship competition.
    • Maxwell Weiser - a Biological Sciences major, from Coatsville, PA, who is graduating Summa Cum Laude
    • Alexis Yuhas - a double major in Biological Sciences and Psychology, from Ruffsdale, PA, who is graduating Magna Cum Laude.

• A representative group of faculty, staff, and dignitaries participated in the ceremonies, including:

• Robert G. Gregerson, PhD, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
• Jacqueline Horrall, PhD, vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
• Myron C. Jones II '98, 2023 Alumnus of Distinction in the role of Marshal for Alumni Leaders and Advisory Board
• Huong V. Vo, '14, , from Monroeville, PA, vice president of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) Board, will assist with the distribution of honor cords
  
• Student Speakers:
  • 10 a.m. ceremony: Lucas Wycich - Information Technology major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from New Kensington, PA
  • 1 p.m. ceremony: Breanna Tomsey - Public Policy major graduating Summa Cum Laude; from Chicora, PA

• (10 a.m.)Kayla Heffernan, PhD, associate professor of Mathematics, in the role of Grand Marshal
• (10 a.m.) Trisha Fronczek, MS, RN-BC, CCRN, instructor of nursing; Gina Munir, PhD, assistant professor of Biology; Michael Pry, instructor of information science; and Alexandra Seabol, MSN, instructor of Nursing, in the roles of Student Marshals
• (10 a.m.) Sara Swerdlow, PhD, assistant professor of Biology, in the role of Faculty and Staff Marshal
• (10 a.m.) L. Todd Brown, PhD, associate professor of Physics, in the role of Marshal for the Platform Party
• (10 p.m.) A. David Tilstone, Pitt-Greensburg Advisory Board chairman, of Export, PA

• (1 p.m.) Paul Adams, PhD, associate professor of political science, in the role of Grand Marshal
• (1 p.m.) Jessica Ghilani, PhD, associate professor of Communication; Dan Hitt, visiting instructor of English; Bryan McCarthy, DPhil, visiting assistant professor of philosophy; Geoffrey Wood, PhD, associate professor of Sociology, in the roles of Student Marshals
• (1 p.m.) Katie Swope, PhD, assistant professor of Criminal Justice, in the role of Faculty and Staff Marshal
• (1 p.m.)Adam Cilli, PhD, assistant professor of History, in the role of Marshal for the Platform Party

About Pitt-Greensburg:

Founded in 1963, the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is a publicly assisted, four-year, liberal arts college in southwestern Pennsylvania. Pitt-Greensburg offers 31 baccalaureate degree programs, including new majors in data analytics, nursing, and healthcare management, as well as 31 minors and four certificate programs. With nearly 1,400 students, more than 10,000 alumni, and faculty and staff numbering 260, Pitt-Greensburg provides a vibrant, diverse community that is a dynamic model of a 21st-century liberal arts education. As part of the University of Pittsburgh system, Pitt-Greensburg offers the resources of a world-renowned university combined with the individualized and immersive experiences of a small liberal arts college. Creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit permeate the campus and extend into its many collaborative projects with the Westmoreland County community. Nestled in Pennsylvania's beautiful Laurel Highlands, the campus is surrounded by the region's outdoor recreation venues and rich history. It is a five-minute drive from uptown Greensburg and less than an hour's drive from Pittsburgh.

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