Class of 2023 Commencement Program - Ruskin

2023 COMMENCEMENT

2023 COMMENCEMENT

Graduates and members of the audience are asked to remain in their seats throughout the ceremony so that they do not interfere with the special moments of others. During the ceremony, please turn off all cell phones and mobile devices. Thank you.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

Order of Procession

The Faculty and Administration of the University

The Graduates of the University

The Dais Party

Dais Party

Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President

Rev. Michael T. Kesicki ’83 University Chaplain

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D.

Provost and Vice President for Student Experience

T. Andrew Caswell, Ph.D. President, Faculty Senate

Sarah J. Ewing, Ph.D.

Dean, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

Order of Exercises

Processional*

Pomp and Circumstance: March No. 1

Sir Edward Elgar

National Anthem*

“The Star-Spangled Banner” Francis Scott Key

Call to Commencement

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Student Experience

Invocation*

Rev. Michael T. Kesicki University Chaplain

Welcome

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President

Introduction of Commencement Speaker

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Student Experience

The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L., Bishop, Diocese of Erie

Commencement Address

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President

Presentation of Degree Candidates

Sarah J. Ewing, Ph.D.

Dean, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

Conferral of Degrees

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., President

Academic Awards

Sarah J. Ewing, Ph.D. Dean, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

Prayer of Sending Forth

Rev. Michael T. Kesicki University Chaplain

*All who are able are asked to stand.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Keith Taylor, Ph.D.

Keith Taylor, Ph.D., is the seventh president of Gannon University, a Catholic, diocesan, comprehensive university founded in 1925 by Archbishop John Mark Gannon. He was appointed to the role in May 2011. Gannon University offers six doctoral, 29 master’s, 57 bachelor’s and six associate degree programs across two campuses –one in Erie, Pa., and one in Ruskin, Fla. Taylor served as Gannon’s provost and vice president for academic affairs from 2005-2011. During his tenure, he established a dynamic strategic vision and integrated planning and operations that empowered the community to achieve great success across all dimensions of university work in their efforts to transform lives. His focus as provost continued into his presidential leadership having reorganized Gannon’s academic structure to a more integrated three-college model; created a growing satellite campus in Ruskin, FL; added new strategic academic programs to meet current and future market needs; broadened the community focus to a global perspective; and instituted the Erie-GAINS (Gannon Alliances to Improve Neighborhood Sustainability) and OWB (Our West Bayfront) neighborhood revitalization programs. He is noted for his open, strategic leadership style and commitment to students, service to the community and building cultural and global awareness. Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy, a master’s degree in exercise science and a doctoral degree in anatomy and cell biology from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He has 35 years of experience as a faculty member, scholar, and leader at all levels of higher education.

Gannon’s Vision 2020 comprehensive campaign culminated in 2016 with more than $67 million raised to support a spectrum of critical needs; and Gannon’s Believe. Inspire. Transform. capital campaign has raised more than $82 million toward its $100 million goal in 2025.

More than $135 million in major capital improvements have been completed during the past decade in Erie and Ruskin, including construction and transformation of seven academic buildings, the Nash Library, North Hall, I-HACK and South Hall. These facility and program enhancements have transformed the campus and allowed the community to make great strides to bolster efforts to support student learning and achievement. Gannon’s commitment to access and affordability to a growing diverse student population is reflected in the additional academic, personal and career advising, and resources offered to first-generation, low income and disabled students bolstered by the burgeoning success in extramural funding since the establishment of the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects as well as the Student Success Center.

Taylor has also reaffirmed Gannon’s commitment to social justice and Catholic social teaching with ardent support for the Center for Social Concerns and Mission and Ministry efforts. The ErieGAINS and OWB initiatives began under Taylor’s leadership and represent a series of intentional partnerships with government agencies, businesses, and community organizations to revitalize the neighborhoods surrounding Gannon’s campus.

Prior to his work at Gannon, Taylor served Daemen College in Amherst, N.Y., from 1988-2005 as a full professor, academic dean of health and human services, chairman of the Department of Physical Therapy, as well as the assistant to the vice president for academic affairs for instructional technology and liberal learning.

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES

Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

DOCTORAL STUDIES

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Emili Blanton Alexander

Brooklyn Kay Alman

Erin B. Bradley

Maria Camila Bravo

India Datressa Brown

Vanessa M. DeAnda

Katlyn Ernst

Breanna M. Flaherty

Carolyn Elizabeth Fromm

Vanessa M. Galindo-Jackson

Andrea N. Herrans Pérez

Anna Ingram

Terrell Kane

Rachel Krunkosky

Melissa Marie Lamelas

Sheyenne Dana Lewis

Amanda A. Martins

Heather Miller

Adriana Sophie Morton

Briana Myers

Kaylynn Elaine Newby

Adam Regalado

Margaret Rutkowski

Maggie Aariana Short

Mireille Uwase

Mariela Villanueva Silva

Alicia Nicole Warren

Sophia Zampardi

Lindsee Nadine Zimmer

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Megan Catanese

Kayleigh Fessenden

Brandi Hague

Meagan Catherine Hyslop

Darla Jean Kent

Sara E. Krause

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Lourdes Andujas

Kayla Baum

Justin Campbell

Kyle Richard Crooks

Nadia Diaz

Hayden Nelson Friesen

Michael Halmos

Siarra Harrington

Cory J. Hegedus

Mikala Catherine Hunt

Brittany Nichole Johns

Mikayla Labbe

Haylee Layne

Tomasina Lamper

Erin M. Ludwig

Danielle Nicole Miles

Michael Villahermosa Montemayor

Lindsay Anne Warner

Stephanie Jean Martin

Santiago Medina

Jacqueline Melcon

Melissa Mendez

Kayla Michalik

Christine Marie Ott

Jaqueline Rae Sanelli

Edianys Santoyo

Nathaneal Schmidt

Sydney Kay Smith

Woolly Souffrance

Winter Tumbaga

GRADUATE STUDIES

Master of Business Administration

Lynzie Paige Sauls

Master of Physician Assistant Science

Autumn Priscilla Albino

Matthew T. Baxter

Brette Ashton Bean

Cassidy A. Blacha

Allison Busch

Cailin Chapman

Katherine Christenson

Caroline Combs

Madison Rose Georgiana

Maxwell Collins Gresham

Kristen Hoffower

Caitlin Suzanne Holland

Reilly Ann Johnston-Walsh

Erin Beverly Karg

Vivian Nia Koufogazos

Mahek Amin Lalani

Carly McCardle

Grace Taylor McLaughlin

Rachel Lu Nguyen

Krishna Patel

Craig David Quezada

Jordan Leigh Reif

Valerie Rose Russell

Ashley Corinee Saunders

Ada Elena Sulbaran Semprun

Asma Amin Virani

Taylor Amanda Wilson

Master of Science | Speech Language Pathology

Claire Sheridan Applebee

Mariah Sue Bell

Izabelle Brekher

Kameron Paul Callais

Mariela Cristina Delgado

Annalyssa Duff

Vivian Leigh Hale

Tiffany Amanda Hansraj

Nila Amelia Illuzzi

Robyn N. Ita

Emma Grace Long

Erin Christine Maguire

Shannon Heather McKinney

Kaitlyn Shea Mellick

Rachel Miljan

Kelly Lauren Miller

Christopher Jared Modrzynski

Jordan Verlona Oliver

Delaynie A. Ring

Anmeet Singh

Aubrie Sterbenz

Fatima Taki

Haley Tomcho

ACADEMIC AWARDS Graduate Studies

For Excellence in...

Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Adam Regalado

Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

Erin M. Ludwig

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Christine Marie Ott

Physician Assistant

Jordan Leigh Reif

Speech-Language Pathology

Erin Christine Maguire

Prayer of Sending Forth

Rev. Kesicki:

God, our Heavenly Father, we praise you for creating us in your image and likeness. In your generous Providence, you allow Gannon University to be a community where this great truth of human dignity is proclaimed, learned and lived. You wish Gannon to be a place where our students can seek and find you. With grateful hearts, we thank you for sustaining our graduates with your love and your truth.

All respond: Amen

Rev. Kesicki:

Lord Jesus Christ, by your death and resurrection you redeemed a fallen human family. Be with our graduates as they continue to discern what is right and good and true in the midst of the confusion and tensions in our world. Help us to build a culture where each human life, no matter how vulnerable, may be respected and protected from degradation and violence. Lord, be our way, our truth and our life.

All respond: Amen

Rev. Kesicki:

Come, Holy Spirit, bestow upon our graduates soundness of mind and holiness of life. With the aid of your spiritual gifts, prompt them to integrate their faith into their lifestyles, their work, and their relationships. Help them to value the service of others over selfish gain. Come, O Spirit, enkindle in them the fire of your love.

All respond: Amen

Faculty, Staff, Parents recite together: Lord God, You accompany us at each moment of our journey through life. Continue to guide our graduates in the paths they have chosen. May your truth purify their values. May your wisdom enlighten their decisions. May your goodness be the foundation of their relationships. May your love be the consolation of their souls. Be at their side in difficulty. Prompt their generosity in prosperity. Deepen their humility in success.

All respond: Amen

Rev. Kesicki: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All respond: Amen

GANNON UNIVERSITY MISSION

Gannon is a Catholic, Diocesan university dedicated to excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Our faculty and staff prepare students to be global citizens through programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and professional specializations. Inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, we offer a comprehensive, values-centered learning experience that emphasizes faith, leadership, inclusiveness and social responsibility.

A digital version of this program can be found at www.gannon.edu/commencement.

The list of graduates included on the commencement program is not intended to be used as an official indication of graduation. The diploma of the University and the official transcript, signed and sealed by the proper officers, provide authentic testimony to the conferring of a degree.