Glenn Thompson to DuBois grads: Life-long learning assures American dream

Nearly 80 individuals officially became alumni of Penn State University during Penn State DuBois commencement ceremonies on Friday night at the DuBois Country Club.

The commencement address was offered by Congressman Glenn Thompson. Thompson represents Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, spanning North Central Pennsylvania. He was first elected in 2008, and was sworn in for his third term in January of 2013. Thompson is a life-long resident of Howard Township, Centre County.

Previously, he worked for nearly 30 years in health care as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager and a licensed nursing home administrator. Thompson serves on the House Agricultural Committee, including the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Education and Workforce Committee. He is the author and a contributor to many pieces of legislation that have passed into law that address significant issues facing the nation. Those include the Service Members’ Telemedicine & E-Health Portability, or STEP Act. Now Public Law 112-81, it expands the Department of Defense (DOD) state licensure exemption to allow credentialed health care professionals to work across state borders without having to obtain a new state license. Involved in a variety of community initiatives in his personal life,

Thompson is a volunteer fire fighter, and a 30 year veteran of the Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council. Having attained the rank of Eagle Scout himself, Thompson has also served as a scoutmaster and as the council president.

Thompson is a graduate of Penn State and Temple Universities, where he earned a bachelor of science and a masters of education, respectively. He and his wife Penny Ammerman Thompson have three adult sons.

"I consider today’s event a milestone in your educational journey, not a final destination, ending, or even terminal point," Thompson told graduates. "You see, I place tremendous importance on the value of life-long learning. Today’s celebration is just a milestone, although a very important one in your continued education and growth." Thompson explained that his belief in life-long learning goes hand-in-hand with his belief in moving the Unites States' workforce and economy forward. He said, "I believe in you; I believe in America’s future. One is absolutely dependent on the other. "The No. 1 asset for America’s future and America’s competitiveness is a trained and qualified workforce. This is America’s competitive edge. And that is you. Education, be it academic, career, technical, and continuous is how America competes and how America wins."

Thompson went on to encourage graduates to chase their dreams, and use their education to strive for the best they can carve out for themselves. "America only makes one promise; that is opportunity, "Thompson said. "If you are willing to work, risk, and earn. Our Nation is founded on the premise that the American Dream is real. But it is up to you to make America’s dream your reality."

Chancellor Melanie Hatch presided over commencement ceremonies and conferred degrees to the graduates. Associate Professor of Mathematics and Geosciences Byron Parizek served as campus marshal.

Academic Awardees were:

Dale. L. Moore and Julie K. Shimmel for associate degrees, and Molly E. Stoltz for baccalaureate degrees.

Penn State DuBois graduates for 2016 are:

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science University College Faculty Marshal James M. Kuterbach, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

For the Degree of Bachelor of Arts Letters, Arts and Sciences (LASCC)

Jeremy Patrick Maurer ………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA For the Degree of Bachelor of Science Business (BSBCC)

Gustin Luis Conde ………………………………………………………………………… Ewing, NJ

Kelly Sue Hartzell …………………………………………………………………………… Knox, PA

Kyle Haskins …………………………………………………………………………… Troutville, PA

Aaron Joseph Herzing ………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Julianne Nicole Inzana …………………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Taylor Nicholos Kutch ……………………………………………………………… Clearfield, PA

Nathan D. Liddle ………………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Courtney Rene Mullins ……………………………………………………… State College, PA

Allie J. Polohonki* ………………………………………………………………… Falls Creek, PA

Matthew J. Santaniello …………………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Raymond E. Serafini III ………………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Kira Lynn Smith ……………………………………………………………………… St. Marys, PA

William John Swatsworth Jr. ……………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Jake Wilson ………………………………………………………………………. Reynoldsville, PA

Tige Kenneth Woodson* …………………………………………………………… Timblin, PA

Human Development and Family Studies (HFSCC)

Anastasia Boleen* …………………………………………………………………….. DuBois, PA

Danielle Marguerite Brock ……………………………………………………… Grampian, PA

Brianna Lea Caggiano ………………………………………………………………… Kersey, PA

Tawnya L. Cordwell (with Distinction)………………………………… Reynoldsville, PA

Cheyenne R. Hahn (with Distinction)………………………………………… Indiana, PA

Jake Himes* …………………………………………………………………………… Brockport, PA

Zackery Califf Issacs ……………………………………………………… Punxsutawney, PA

Samantha R. Jamison (with Distinction)………………………………… Brockway, PA

Shaun Michael Kanouff ……………………………………………………… Osceola Mills, PA

Human Development and Family Studies (continued)

Tami Elizabeth Matusky ………………………………………………………… Sykesville, PA

Kyle Mills* ………………………………………………………………………………… Bushkill, PA

Linsey Tailor Mizic ………………………………………………………………… Boyertown, PA

Courtney L. Newman ……………………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Krista Marie Smith ………………………………………………………………… Houtzdale, PA

Molly E. Stoltz (with High Distinction)………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Shelby Lynn Volosky …………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Information Science and Technology (ISSCC)

Amanda B. Butler (with Distinction)…………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Nathan S. Confer …………………………………………………………………………… Lanse, PA

Brandon Eyerly ……………………………………………………………………… Philipsburg, PA

James W. Wright ……………………………………………………………………… Ridgway, PA

College of Agricultural Sciences

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science Agricultural & Extension Education (AEE)

Matthew E. Holt (with Distinction)…………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Animal Science (AN SC)

Anthony Lowell Sharp ……………………………………………………………………… Knox, PA

Wood Products (W P)

Michael Andrew Kocjancic ………………………………………………… Gaithersburg, MD

College of Engineering Faculty Marshal Daudi Waryoba, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science . General Engineering (G E)

Evan C. Hatfield..……………………………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Anthony John Schneider, Jr. …………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Faculty Marshal Frederick G. Terwilliger, A.S., B.A., M.S.

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science Earth Sciences (EARTH)

Mandy Lynn Marconi (with Distinction)…………………………………… St. Marys, PA

Thomas Patrick Walsh III ………………………………………………… Curwensville, PA

College of Nursing For the Degree of Bachelor of Science Nursing (NURN)

Alyssa Lynne Antonio ……………………………………………………………… Old Forge, PA

*Summer 2016 Graduate Candidates for Degrees For the Degree of Associate in Arts For the Degree of Associate in Science

For the Degree of Associate in Engineering Technology University College Faculty Marshal Jason E. Long, B.S., M.S.I.S. For the Degree of Associate in Arts Letters, Arts and Sciences (2LACC)

Thomas James Fugate ………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Andrew Curtis Womeldorf III ……………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

For the Degree of Associate in Science Business Administration (2BACC)

Nicholas Genevro …………………………………………………………………… Brockport, PA

William Shane Rowles …………………………………………………………… Clearfield, PA

Julie K. Shimmel (with Highest Distinction)…………………………… Wallaceton, PA

Human Development and Family Studies (2FSCC)

Julianne M. Heasley* ……………………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Kira D. Jacoby …………………………………………………………………… Summerville, PA

Information Science and Technology (2ISCC)

Yusuf Adekunle …………………………………………………………………… Philadelphia, PA

Aaron Daniel Angstadt ………………………………………………………… Clearfield, PA

Alexander Charles Chezosky ……………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Jordan Guinther* ………………………………………………………………………… Lanse, PA Ty Walker Haines …………………………………………………………… New Bethlehem, PA

Ryan Lingle ……………………………………………………………………………… Clearfield, PA

Dale Louis Moore (with Highest Distinction)……………………………… Drifting, PA

Michael William Narehood ……………………………………………………… Karthaus, PA

Brad Michael Noland ……………………………………………………………… Brockport, PA

Brandon Michael Pash ……………………………………………………………… Grassflat, PA

Occupational Therapy (2OTCC)

Robert Paul Denoon II …………………………………………………………… Brockway, PA

Physical Therapist Assistant (2PTA)

Jarret Tanner Forcey ……………………………………………………………… Clearfield, PA

Tanner James Gooden ………………………………………………………………. DuBois, PA

Alexander Mark Lloyd ……………………………………………………………… Red Lion, PA

Koren Elaine McCullough …………………………………………………… Cherry Tree, PA

Jeanie Lynn McKenna ………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

Jessica Renee Metzger ……………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA Brandley George Sidelinger …………………………………………………… Weedville, PA

College of Engineering For the Degree of Associate in Engineering Technology Electrical Engineering Technology (2 EET)

Eric C. Wilson ……………………………………………………………………… Huntingdon, PA

Mechanical Engineering Technology (2 MET)

Shane Joseph Baxter …………………………………………………………………… Butler, PA

Blake W. Caylor ……………………………………………………………………… Brookville, PA Joshua Thomas Hawkins ……………………………………………… New Bethlehem, PA J

esse William Keith …………………………………………………………………… Emeigh, PA

Luke Francis Losey ………………………………………………………………… Emporium, PA

Eric C. Wilson ……………………………………………………………………… Huntingdon, PA

College of Agricultural Sciences Faculty Marshal Emily H. Thomas, A.S., B.S., M.S.

For the Degree of Associate in Science Wildlife Technology (2 WLT)

Linsie Nicole Adams …………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA K

ristin Nickcole Attinger ………………………………………………………… Knox Dale, PA

Rachel Aline Bloom ………………………………………………………………… Clearfield, PA

Courtney T. Braunns ……………………………………………………………… Mahaffey, PA

Thomas A Henry …………………………………………………………………… Youngsville, PA

Tianna Renee Johnson (with Highest Distinction)………………………… Kane, PA

Anna Renae Lindemuth ……………………………………………………………… Tidioute, PA

Cole Miller ………………………………………………………………………………… Lebanon, PA

Kolton H. Mueller ………………………………………………………………………… Denver, PA

Joshua Michael Sanko ……………………………………………………… Reynoldsville, PA

Alexander R. Sharp …………………………………………………………………… DuBois, PA

James William Shirey …………………………………………………………… Frenchville, PA

Jonathan David Voss ……………………………………………………… Punxsutawney, PA

*Summer 2016 Graduate