The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg will hold its annual commencement on Saturday, April 29, in Chambers Hall Gymnasium (150 Finoli Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601). As in the recent past, two ceremonies (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.) will be held in order to allow students and their guests to sit together in small groups, creating a more personal experience for the students and their families. Faculty and staff will individually escort each family into the gymnasium, which further personalizes the day’s experience.
Pitt-Greensburg’s Commencement also will be live-streamed. Anyone desiring to view the ceremony from their personal computer, tablet computer, or smartphone, can visit www.greensburg.pitt.edu/commencement Saturday, April 29, and click on the link for each ceremony to view the live stream. Overflow seating will be provided in the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center.
Rick Fogle, retired Dean of Students is the recipient of this year’s President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and Commencement Speaker. Fogle, formerly of Monroeville, PA, served as director and then Dean of Students for 37 years at Pitt-Greensburg. He was instrumental in building the services that are now available to students, including the Office of Student Services (now the Office of Student Life and Success), the Campus Counseling Center, the Office of Career Services, and the Campus Health Center. He also contributed to the development of Pitt-Greensburg’s NCAA Division III athletic program which now fields 13 teams. He contributed to the planning of four residence halls. Partnering with Professors Lillian Beeson and Nancy Estrada, he developed the original concept for the programming implemented at the Academic Village. He also was instrumental in the creation of the Freshman Seminar—now known as the Cornerstone Seminar—to help students to adjust to college during their first year. Fogle helped to plan the Chambers Hall Student Center which is now a central location for students to gather and interact.
Fogle and his wife Amy also support the campus in other ways, funding the SGA Truex Study Aboard scholarship and the Fogle Family Educational Scholarship. Most recently, they showed their support for expanding and improving the campus’ athletic facilities by making an inaugural leadership gift toward the renovation of Pitt-Greensburg’s soccer field and the construction of a fieldhouse. He and his wife now call Ohio home.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Pitt-Greensburg, John Felice, a member of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association Board of Directors and Greensburg businessman, will be recognized as one of the first students to enroll at Pitt-Greensburg in 1963. Felice will briefly speak about his experience as a student at Pitt-Greensburg in the 1960s.
Of the 283 students who are eligible to graduate, 229 students have registered to participate in the 2023 Commencement ceremonies.
A total of 116 graduates will participate in the ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. All of the Bachelor of Arts degree recipients and select Bachelor of Science degree recipients (Early Childhood Education, Secondary Education, Healthcare Management, Management, Management: Accounting, Management: Information Systems, Information Technology, Public Policy) will participate.
One hundred thirteen graduates will participate in the 1 p.m. ceremony focusing on the remaining Bachelor of Science degrees (Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Information Technology, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Nursing, and Psychology).
As part of Pitt-Greensburg’s Legacy Diploma Co-Presentations, 21 students will receive 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 will include the following:
10 a.m. ceremony:
- Lauren Ackinclose, an early childhood education major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by her sister Dr. Kierstin Ackinclose DEN ’19
- Conner Brown, a criminal justice major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of arts degree will be co-presented by his sister Camryn Brown ’22 NURS
- Alexia Hahn, an early childhood education major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by her mother Kim Hahn UPT 1998
- Kaylee Harris, an early childhood education major from Latrobe, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by her spouse Geoff Critchfield UPG ’21
- Claire Smeltzer, an early childhood education major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by her spouse Douglas Smeltzer UPG ’17
- Ian Heath, an information technology major from Latrobe, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by his brother Connor Heath UPG ’20
- Rena Caruso, an early childhood education major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by her grandparent Carolyn Stride Sterling NURS ’1960
- Ryan Schaer, a criminal justice major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of arts degree will be co-presented by his father Donald Schaer UPG 1990 and mother Angel Murray Schaer UPG 1993
- Cole Ball, a history major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of arts degree will be co-presented by his father Scott Ball SCI 1991, MS SCI 1993
- Marissa Wallace, a communication major from Greensburg, PA, whose bachelor of arts degree will be co-presented by her father Bill Wallace Jr., UPG 1984
1 p.m. Ceremony
- Veronica Braman, a nursing major from Greensburg, PA, whose degree will be co-presented by her father Bryan Braman A&S ’21
- Reagan Koury, a chemistry major from Dunbar, PA, whose degree will be co-presented by her sister Samantha Koury UPG ’19
- Henry Polley, a biological sciences major from Pittsburgh, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by his sisters Corrina Polley A&S ’22 and Rene Polley SCI ’20
- Kamryn Pusateri, a biological sciences major from Aliquippa, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by his mother Jennifer Pusateri NURS 1994
- Gina Romano, a nursing major from North Irwin, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by her mother Dana Romano UPG 1996 and sister Danielle Romano UPG ’21
- Carson Schweninger, a nursing major from Pittsburgh, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by his mother Natalie Schweninger ENGR 1991
- Olivia Wellman, a mathematics major from Munhall, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by her father Edward Wellman and sister Dr. Taylor Wellman A&S ’15, REHAB ’21
- Michael Cannon, a biological sciences major from Pittsburgh, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be co-presented by his father Ellis Cannon A&S 1981, and LAW ’20
- Mary Slobodnyak, a psychology major from West Mifflin, PA, whose bachelor of science degree will be 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 will be co-presented by her father David Byer UPG ’01
- Jason Bush, a double major in mathematics and management from Greensburg, PA, whose degree will be co-presented by his mother Cheryl Bush ENGR 1990 and father Derek Bush CGS 1990
- Also of note:
- Madalein Lorince, of Mt. Pleasant, PA, will graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She is the first student to graduate as a recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship that was funded by Redstone Highlands. While a student at Pitt-Greensburg, Lorince worked at Redstone Highlands as a paid member of their staff (nurse’s aide certification paid by Redstone Highlands), and she will continue to work for two years in a full-time position as a registered nurse following graduation. (Graduates choosing not to accept a position with Redstone agree to pay back the scholarship funds awarded). As part of the scholarship agreement, Lorince was required to work a minimum of eight hours a week at Redstone Highlands and was able to schedule up to 30 hours a week, depending on her class schedule.
- Hunter Waltermire, of Marion Center, PA, was a 2019 recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship from Pitt-Greensburg. He will graduate summa cum laude with both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree after majoring in biological sciences and Spanish. Waltermire was the third-place winner in the Pitt-Greensburg Undergraduate Research and Creative Spotlight (PURCS) conference for his research on the “Effects of apoptosis pathways in C. elegans.”
- Madalein Lorince, of Mt. Pleasant, PA, will graduate cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. She is the first student to graduate as a recipient of a four-year, full-tuition scholarship that was funded by Redstone Highlands. While a student at Pitt-Greensburg, Lorince worked at Redstone Highlands as a paid member of their staff (nurse’s aide certification paid by Redstone Highlands), and she will continue to work for two years in a full-time position as a registered nurse following graduation. (Graduates choosing not to accept a position with Redstone agree to pay back the scholarship funds awarded). As part of the scholarship agreement, Lorince was required to work a minimum of eight hours a week at Redstone Highlands and was able to schedule up to 30 hours a week, depending on her class schedule.
- A representative group of faculty, staff, and dignitaries will participate 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
- Jesse D. Brocious ’05, 2023 Alumnus of Distinction in the role of Marshal for Alumni Leaders and Advisory Board
- Robert Najim, ’93, CPA, CPIM, MBA, from Alverton, PA, president of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) Board, will assist with the distribution of honor cords
- (10 a.m.) Stacey Triplette, PhD, associate professor of Spanish and French, in the role of Grand Marshal
- (10 a.m.) Christina Allaback, PhD, assistant professor of theatre; Sean DiLeonardi, PhD, assistant professor of English; William Pamerleau II, PhD, professor of philosophy; and John Prellwitz, PhD, associate professor of communication and chair of the Humanities Division, in the roles of Student Marshals
- (10 a.m.) Adam L. Cilli, PhD, assistant professor of history, in the role of Faculty and Staff Marshal
- (10 a.m.) David P. Newman, assistant professor of creative and professional writing, in the role of Marshal for the Platform Party
- (1 p.m.) Geoffrey L. Wood, PhD, associate professor of sociology, in the role of Grand Marshal
- (1 p.m.) Sheila Confer, EdD, director of the Academic Village; Erin Divito, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry; Michael Pry, PhD, visiting instructor of information science; Frank Wilson, PhD, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, in the roles of Student Marshals
- (1 p.m.) Kayla Heffernan, PhD, assistant professor of mathematics; in the role of Faculty and Staff Marshal
- (1 p.m.) Jordan Boothe, PhD, assistant professor of chemistry, in the role of Marshal for the Platform Party
- (1 p.m.) A. David Tilstone, Pitt-Greensburg Advisory Board chairman, of Export, PA
- Student Speakers:
- 10 a.m. ceremony: Jenna E. Kuba, who is graduating summa cum laude with a major in early childhood education, from Latrobe, PA
- 1 p.m. ceremony: Jason D. Yeager, who is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in chemistry, from Fairfield, PA
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.