New Penn State graduate Ashwin Upadhyaya, who earned a bachelor’s degree of science in business, receives his diploma from Jungwoo Ryoo, chancellor and chief academic officer, during the spring commencement ceremony at Penn State DuBois.
DuBOIS, Pa. — The end of an academic journey. That is what more than 50 students at Penn State DuBois celebrated on May 9 during the spring commencement ceremony at the PAW Center. Students, along with their families, friends and members of the campus community, all congratulated the new graduates for their hard work and dedication throughout their academic endeavor, which has now reached its ultimate goal: a Penn State degree.
Jungwoo Ryoo, chancellor and chief academic officer presided over the ceremony, with Byron Parizek, professor of geosciences and mathematics, serving as faculty marshal. Emma Suplizio, baccalaureate award winner, and Austin Dubay, associate award winner, served as the student marshals for this year’s ceremony.
The campus welcomed Daniel Kohlhepp, president of Granite Road, a real estate development company in DuBois, as the commencement speaker. Twice a Penn State graduate, having earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at University Park, Kohlhepp began his time as a student on a wrestling scholarship until a career-ending injury directed him on a new path with the cheerleading squad. He gained notoriety as the Nittany Lion Mascot during the 1967-68 and 1968-69 football seasons and started the one-arm push-up tradition.
Commencement speaker Daniel Kohlhepp shares insight and offers new graduates professional and personal advice as part of his speech during the spring commencement ceremony at Penn State DuBois.
Kohlhepp has continued to support Penn State as a member of the DuBois Education Foundation and served as its president from 1998 to 2000. In 2004, he was recognized by Penn State with the Alumni Fellow Award, and in 2015, the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society named him the distinguished ambassador.
“There are three personal themes that I’ve used throughout my life,” Kohlhepp said. “The first one is what to be. This, above all, to my known self be true. The second, learn to listen, and take notes too. And the third one is having a ‘plan b’. The importance of contingency planning cannot be overstated.”
Soon to be Penn State graduates listen to commencement speaker, Daniel Kohlhepp, during the spring commencement ceremony at Penn State DuBois.
Penn State DuBois presents academic awards to both the associate and baccalaureate degree students with the highest grade-point average. The associate award was presented to Austin Dubay, who graduated magna cum laude with an associate degree in wildlife technology. The baccalaureate award was presented to Emma Suplizio, who graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies.
Alex Gasbarre, president of the DuBois Educational Foundation, then stepped forward to announce the Educator of the Year award, which is given each year to recognize outstanding teaching. This year the award was presented to Jackie Atkins, assistant teaching professor or English. Atkins, who will be retiring from the University at the end of the academic year, was highlighted by numerous nominators expressing her ability to empower generations of students to think broadly, write boldly and engage meaningly with the world around them. Another nominator noted her passion for education, commitment to multidisciplinary learning and unwavering dedication to student success make her truly deserving of this honor.
The ceremony continued with Ryoo announcing the recipient of the staff excellence award. Given annually to a staff member who goes above and beyond regularly assigned job responsibilities, makes outstanding contributions to their work unit, campus and University, and embodies Penn State values, this year’s award was presented to Jeremiah Slagle, information technology specialist. His nominators highlighted his dedication to the campus, his kindness and his overall problem-solving skills as being a true asset to Penn State DuBois. He has been nominated in multiple years by several colleagues, including this year.
The final award presentation was the adjunct educator of the year award. This year’s award was presented to Colleen Lanzoni, campus counselor. While she primarily serves in her position as the campus counselor in student affairs, Lanzoni also taught several classes this academic year. Nominators expressed their gratitude to Lanzoni for going above and beyond in the classroom for every student. Another nominator noted her compassion and dedication in everything she does, especially as a faculty member in the classroom.
After the conferring of degrees for all the graduating students, Ryoo expressed his positivity and confidence for each individual graduate.
“Going forward, we are confident that you will ensure that Penn State’s core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence and community are lived each and every day,” Ryoo said. “Go forth, be Penn State proud and remain deeply devoted to your Alma Mater, forever and always.”
The full commencement ceremony can be viewed online through the commencement information website.
New Penn State graduates Chelsea Busatto, left, Makena Baney, center, and Kamryn Mactavish, right, smile for a photo after the spring commencement ceremony at Penn State DuBois. Busatto, Baney and Mactavish are teammates on the Penn State DuBois softball team.
Penn State DuBois 2024-25 degree recipients include:
University College
Degree of Bachelor of Science
Business:
- Julia Bashline, DuBois
- Taylor Boland, DuBois
- Nicholas Cagliola, Royersford
- Connor Cherry, Lewistown
- Sean Duke, Clearfield
- Zayne Knight (Cum Laude)*, Brookville
- Tara Leamer, Commodore
- Elliot Park (Cum Laude), Brookville
- Jeffrey Romano, Galion, OH
- Casey Serine, Jefferson Township
- Cole Slaugenhoup*, Clarion
- Lenny Swisher III, Clearfield
- Ashwin Upadhyaya+, Chantily, VA
- Riley West, DuBois
Human Development and Family Studies:
- Hannah Allen, DuBois
- Makena Baney, Snow Shoe
- Jebediah Blackburn (Magna Cum Laude), Mahaffey
- Chelsea Busatto, DuBois
- Lisa Craggs, DuBois
- Cheyenne Crook-Wean, DuBois
- Cristina Delaney (Magna Cum Laude), Clearfield
- Bryce Dobson, Lewistown
- Aleigha Geer, DuBois
- Samantha Hardy, Philipsburg
- JaiQuil Johnson, Upper Darby
- Skylar King, Genesee
- Kelsey Stuart, DuBois
- Emma Suplizio (Magna Cum Laude)#, DuBois
- Landon Weeks*, Johnstown
College of Engineering
Degree of Bachelor of Engineering
Engineering:
- Jason Hetrick, Brookville
- Ezeck Olinger, Dayton
- Hope Spuck (Cum Laude), Falls Creek
- Lucas Williams, Reynoldsville
University College
Degree of Associate in Science
- Business Administration:
- Colby Bodtorf, Lewistown
- Kyle Elensky, Clearfield
- Kyron Harbin*, Scranton
- Kamryn MacTavish, Morrisdale
- Jordin Sommers, DuBois
Information Sciences and Technology:
- Henry Mendat (Cum Laude), Grampian
College of Agricultural Sciences
Degree of Associate in Science
Wildlife Technology:
- Austin Dubay (Magna Cum Laude), Philipsburg
- Garrett Fuhrer, Ulysses
- Noah Gibble, Roaring Branch
- Trenton Haagen, Howard
- Seth Heinsey, Ephrata
- Kira Jones, Emporium
- Kameron Knisely, Grampian
- Andrea Lecuyer (Cum Laude), Strongstown
- Rebecca Solida, Rimersburg
- Ryan Swope, Richboro
- Joseph Tettis Jr., Ridgway
- Beau Verdill, Sligo
College of Engineering
Degree of Associate in Engineering Technology
Mechanical Engineering Technology:
- Remington Crawford (Cum Laude), Clearfield
- Michael Dixon*, Emporium
+ - Indicates Fall 2024 Graduate
* - Indicates Summer 2025 Graduate
# - Indicates Honors Scholar
