Academics
More than 100 students received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees today before family, friends, and faculty during the King’s College Summer Commencement at the William S. Scandlon Physical Education Center.
This year’s event included the first graduates of the College’s new accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Sophia Panaccione ’15, D.O., an internal medicine physician and medical educator at Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School, delivered the keynote address. Her specialty is providing care for patients with complex infections, including individuals living with HIV. She is also an advocate for improving health care access for unhoused individuals and those with a history of criminal-legal involvement.
“The experiences you've had here will shape your future: how much they shape it is entirely up to you,” said Panaccione. “But know this. No matter what your path looks like, you have the power to create a meaningful life. You are not alone in your struggles, and every struggle carries a lesson if you're willing to look for it.”
“Live with respect, for yourself and for others,” she added. “Lean into discomfort. Be open to the stories of people who are different than you. And never underestimate the impact of showing up, listening, and choosing to care.”
Thomas R. Smith ’77, who served on the board of directors at King’s College for 30 years and as board chair for 15 years, gave the welcome address. This commencement marks his final ceremonial action before stepping down from his position later this year.
“For years you have walked these halls as students pursuing a meaningful future,” said Smith. “Today, you’ll leave them as King’s alumni, empowered to face that future with wisdom, courage, and hope.”
The event concluded with remarks from Rev. Thomas P. Looney, C.S.C., Ph.D., president of King’s College.
“Dear graduates, I pray that King’s has been a place where you have learned not only how to make a living, but how to live,” said Father Looney. “As you go forth from King’s, know that you always belong here. Every now and then, think about your days at King’s, and remind yourself of your ability to accomplish important goals, to live with a strong moral compass, and to contribute to the good of the world.”
Mary Elizabeth Zakrzewski, a graduate of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program, gave the invocation. Father Brogan Ryan, C.S.C., director of campus ministry, gave the benediction. Joseph Evan, Ph.D., ’95, provost and vice president for academic affairs, conferred the degrees.
Listed below are the degrees conferred and the individuals eligible to graduate at the time of this release.
MASTER OF EDUCATION—CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Joseph J. Stefanko, Drums, PA.
MASTER OF EDUCATION—READING
Carianna Marie Makowski, Plains, PA; Corinne Matthews, Milford, PA; Beth A. Tourscher, Dalton, PA.
MASTER OF EDUCATION—READING - MULTISENSORY STRUCTURED LANGUAGE EDUCATION PROGRAM
Caroline Borders Koch, Hyattsville, MD.
MASTER OF SCIENCE—HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Anna Maria Bellucci, Pittston, PA; Alexa Endler, Laflin, PA; Babra B. Kamara, Kampala, Western, UGA; Lala Traore, Wilkes-Barre, PA.
MASTER OF SCIENCE—NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
Matthew Merritt Bond, Washington, DC; James J. Brennan, Dublin, OH; Erin Frances Clark, Phoenix, AZ; Shaylynn Glenn, Eglin AFB, FL; Jadyn B. Howard, Henderson, NV; Ayesha Khan, Old Westbury, NY; Taylor R. Lobdell, Colorado Springs, CO; Brianna K. Olsen, St. George, UT; Kelsi J. Toy, Eureka, MO; Joseph M. Volpe, Glen Oaks, NY.
MASTER OF SCIENCE—NUTRITION SCIENCE
William P. Grace, Warminster, PA; Tasia Rutter, Lebanon, PA.
MASTER OF SCIENCE—PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES
Abby Grace Achenbach, Atglen, PA; Samantha Elizabeth Ahearn, Hauppauge, NY; Yanerif Alvarez Capillo, Wheatley Heights, NY; Nooran Atilla Amin, Branchburg, NJ; Ryan Robert Anderson, Monroe, CT; Rachel Marie Bath, West Wyoming, PA; Brenna Katherine Buckstein, Farmingville, NY; Peyton Elise Burns, Chambersburg, PA; Rachael Ann Caccese, Weatherly, PA; Victoria Marie Caputo, Zionsville, PA; Sidney Joy Conner, Shillington, PA; Claire Pauline Converse, New Berlin, NY; Jo Anna M. Cox, Forty Fort, PA; Kaitlyn Mackenzie Dahl, Sinclairville, NY; Laura Josephine D'Amato, Barnesville, PA; Gavin Davis, Shickshinny, PA; Sarah Jean Denion, Mountain Top, PA; Alexa Grace Di Giovanni, Jackson, NJ; Braelan Drollas, Caldwell, NJ; Brian Eames, Dingmans Ferry, PA; Scott Patrick Ebner, Pittsgrove, NJ; Haley Dana Ford, Jacksonville, FL; Jake Freedman, Manalapan, NJ; Caitlin Marie Garlick, Quakertown, PA; Alana Marie Genovese, Staten Island, NY; Molly Rose Gillette, Schnecksville, PA; Ellen Marjorie Glatz, Exeter, PA; Gina Maria Gratti, Elysburg, PA; John Christopher Grebeck, Bridgewater, NJ; Laiann Hamdan, Wayne, NJ; Sarah Elizabeth Yang Healy, Bethlehem, PA; Zachary Harold Hill, Wyoming, PA; Madison Olivia Hinde, Myrtle Beach, SC; Travis Aaron Jayne, Towanda, PA; Eliza Jane Keller, Carlisle, PA; Theresa Rita Kenny, South Hempstead, NY; Kiersten Marie Krouse, Wayne, PA; Kayla Kruk, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Department of Physician Assistant Studies Award for Academic Excellence; Taylor Nicole Kufro, Frackville, PA; Madison Macknosky, Scott Township, PA; Abigail Marie Maffei, Athens, PA; Riley Claire Mclaughlin, Swoyersville, PA; Grace Kelly McNamara, Staten Island, NY; Darren Jose Mena, Hazleton, PA; Paula Hayan Moon, Bel Air, MD; Austin Ryan Morris, Point Blank, TX; Paige Marie Motovidlak, Harveys Lake, PA; Jamie Erica R Navarro, Jackson, NJ; Isabella Faith O'donnell, Macungie, PA; Madelyn Elizabeth Reuter, New Egypt, NJ; Orlando Xavier Rivera, Ridgewood, NY; Audrey Elizabeth Rubner, Clarks Green, PA; Caroline Nicole Savettiere, Massapequa, NY; Caroline Mary Schneider, Massapequa, NY; Nicole Marie Silinskie, Wyoming, PA; Caitlin Elizabeth Steele, Hamburg, PA; Savannah Jade Stern, Allentown, PA; Sara Swingle, Mansfield, PA; Mounira Mohamad Tahch, Rahway, NJ; Garret Henry Tomasek, Hiram, OH; Cameron J. Valaitis, Nanticoke, PA; Stella Veseli, Macungie, PA; Ariel Mae Vikara, West Wyoming, PA; Mitchell Alexander Ward, Sarasota, FL; Hannah White, Clarks Summit, PA; Abigail Mackenzie Wolfe, Dalmatia, PA; Mary Elizabeth Zakrzewski, The Villages, FL; Nicole Marie Zambetti, Pittston, PA.
BACHELOR OF ARTS—COMMUNICATIONS
Maurice K. Johnson, Woodbridge, NJ; Carli R. Komorowski, Aston, PA; Johendry Puerie, Tresckow, PA.
BACHELOR OF ARTS—EDUCATION MATH – 4-8
John-Patrick Gilroy, Dalton, PA.
BACHELOR OF ARTS—GENERAL STUDIES
Margaret K. Rowlands, Mountain Top, PA, Summa Cum Laude.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE—BIOLOGY
Lydia G. Burk, Canadensis, PA.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE—ENGINEERING – CIVIL
Jacob Hunter Feese, Dornsife, PA.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE—EXERCISE SCIENCE - STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
Nathaniel C. Hullinger, Wilmington, DE.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE—NURSING
Tristan R. Byers, Wilkes-Barre, PA; Caileigh Elizabeth Costello, Florida, NY; Jillian Marie Foley, Plains, PA; Hannah Mary Lisowski, Old Forge, PA; Sarah A. Rudnesky, Hanover Township, PA.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE—MANAGEMENT – BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Carnell N. Kemp, Jr., Philadelphia, PA.
