York College of Pennsylvania

Diaz graduates

Bryan Diaz, of Whitehall, graduated cum laude from York College of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in finance May 11.

Established in 1787, York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year college located in the city of York, a hub of arts and industry between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Housed on 190 picturesque acres, the college is known for its focus on experiential learning and community engagement, serving more than 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 70 baccalaureate majors, along with 30-plus professional graduate degree and certificate programs.

Deeply rooted in the liberal arts and recognized for excellence in its professional business, education, engineering and nursing programs, York is ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools by Niche. The college’s robust recreation and athletics program is among the best in the region and is home to 24 NCAA Division III sports teams and 30-plus intramural sports. A Princeton Review Best Northeastern College, York prides itself on its experienced, engaged faculty, its high-impact and student centric philosophy and its long-standing commitment to affordability and accessibility.

Cedar Crest College

Students earn degrees

On May 11, the PPL Center in Allentown filled with students, staff, faculty and supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of Cedar Crest College’s Class of 2024 at commencement. Graduates and their loved ones gathered to mark this significant milestone, celebrating the knowledge, skills and experiences gained during their time at Cedar Crest. The event highlighted the values of leadership, service and community that are integral to the Cedar Crest spirit.

Bath: Ashlyn Phillip, occupational therapy

Coplay: Tracy Hujsa, business administration

Danielsville: Hailee Bloch, art therapy; Olivia Leitzel, nutrition; Adrian Mast, crime science

Northampton: Caitlin McCullough, psychology; Autumn Row, psychology; Erin Markulics, public health; Madison Watson, early childhood education; Christine Steckel, Master of Business Administration; Gabrielle Gallo, occupational therapy

Walnutport: Daniela Oriental, crime science

Whitehall: Mackenzy Schutt, nursing; Olivia Ballard, business administration; Denique Bartley-Scruggs, accounting; Kathryn Kelly, biology; Lisa Ann Rodriguez, nursing educator; Lamia Brkic, crime science

Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the college continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women’s college and in the co-ed School of adult and graduate education. Located in Allentown, Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best College Rankings as No. 9 in Social Mobility and is among the Top 100 colleges and universities in the region.

Mount St. Mary’s University

Herrera earns dean’s list

Yasier Herrera, of Whitehall, is among the 557 students who earned dean’s list honors for the spring 2024 semester at Mount St. Mary’s University.

Mount St. Mary’s University is a private, liberal arts, Catholic university in the Catoctin Mountains near historic Emmitsburg, Md., with a satellite campus in Frederick, Maryland’s second largest city. The university offers more than 80 majors, minors, concentrations and special programs for traditional undergraduate students and more than 20 adult undergraduate and graduate-level programs. The Mount includes Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, the second oldest in the United States, and the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, an idyllic shrine for spiritual reflection located on the hill above the university.

University of Scranton

Students graduate

Local residents recently graduated during a commencement ceremony May 19 at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Degrees were conferred to graduates who had completed their academic degree requirements in August and December of 2023, as well as January and May. At the ceremony, the university conferred degrees in doctor of philosophy in accounting, doctor of nursing practice and doctor of physical therapy and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in various disciplines.

Graduates represented 26 states, including Pennsylvania, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Virginia, among others. Students also represented Canada, Ghana, India, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The programs with the most graduates were the master of business administration, master of accountancy, master of business analytics, master of occupational therapy, master of health administration and doctor of physical therapy.

Coplay: Dominic A. Dait, Master of Health Administration degree in health administration

Northampton: Brandy Mae McCarey-Bain, Master of Science degree in applied behavior analysis; Hannah J. Werkheiser, Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology

Whitehall: Jacob M. Lisicky, Master of Business Administration degree in accounting and international business; Joseph M. Lisicky, Bachelor of Science degree in accounting

Vassar College

Steger graduates, receives prize

Jacob Steger, a member of the Northampton Area High School Class of 2020, has graduated from Vassar College with a degree in biology and mathematics. He graduated with honors in both areas, as well as general academics.

Steger is also the recipient of the Virginia Swinburne Brownell Prize for excellence in the study of biology.

Lebanon Valley College

Commencement is held

Lebanon Valley College had more than 400 undergraduate and graduate students who marked their academic success and achievements during its’ 155th commencement May 11.

Catasauqua: Mackenzie Brobst, a graduate of Catasauqua High School, received a Master of Business Administration degree in business administration.

Whitehall: Jessica Kroboth, a graduate of Whitehall High School, received a Doctor of Physical Therapy in physical therapy; Sara Leiby, a graduate of Whitehall High School, received a Master of Athletic Training in athletic training; Megan Kelly, a graduate of Whitehall High School, received a Bachelor of Science in communication sciences and disorders, summa cum laude.

Lebanon Valley College, founded in 1866, offers 50 majors in the health professions, sciences, business and digital media, arts and humanities and education. Hands-on learning, internships and research are emphasized. LVC offers five direct-entry (bachelor’s to master’s) programs in accounting/MBA 3+1, athletic training 3+2, clinical mental health counseling 3+2, engineering 3+2 and speech-language pathology 3+2 and a nationally recognized six-year doctor of physical therapy program.

There are more than a dozen graduate degrees, including an MBA and master’s in clinical mental health counseling, education, exercise science and intelligence and security studies. Close faculty-student relationships and mentoring are hallmarks of the LVC experience on its beautiful 370-acre campus. The college encourages student participation in athletics, with 40% competing as NCAA Division III student-athletes in the Middle Atlantic Conference, and student leadership and involvement in more than 90 clubs and organizations, many of which are community-service focused. LVC offers generous financial aid and guaranteed merit scholarships that exceeded $52 million in 2023-24. Career success is integrated into the curriculum through the Edward and Lynn Breen Center for Career and Professional Development starting during the first year on campus. Located 8 miles from Hershey, this college of 1,600 undergraduate and 400-plus graduate students produces alumni who attend prestigious graduate and professional schools and are employed by top companies and school districts.

Wilkes University

Students awarded degrees

Wilkes University awarded more than 700 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees at its 77th spring commencement ceremonies May 18 in the McHale Athletic Center in the Simms Center on Main, 169 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre.

Bath: Thomas Flisser, Master of Science in Education in education; Katherine Ecker, Bachelor of Science in Nursing in nursing

Catasauqua: Steven Ritter, Doctor of Public Health in pharmacy

Coplay: Madison Lyle, Master of Science in Education in education; Kelsey Emery, Master of Science in Nursing in nursing

Danielsville: Colin Fox, Master of Science in Nursing in nursing

Northampton: Kristin Bauer, Master of Science in Education in education; Carissa Kern, Doctor of Public Health in pharmacy

Walnutport: Zachary Gula, Bachelor of Science in corporate finance; Deanna Suozzo, Master of Science in Education in education; Jarvis Schaffer, Master of Science in Nursing in nursing

Whitehall: Janet Chan, Master of Nursing in nursing

Wilkes University opens doors for those willing to work hard for what comes next. Through a mix of in-demand undergraduate, master’s and terminal degree programs, we encourage our students to explore whatever they find interesting. With academic expertise, dedicated mentoring and unwavering support, our faculty and staff inspire students to define success on their own terms. Wilkes gives people the chance to take risks, explore new facets of themselves and create the lives they want. It’s the place that Colonels call home.