Class of 2024 Commencement Program - Master's & Doctoral

2024 COMMENCEMENT

MASTER’S & DOCTORAL

2024 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 Marshals

The Faculty and Administration of the University

The Graduate Marshals

The Graduates of the University

The Trustees of the University

The Dais Party

Dais Party

5. Matthew Nichilo President, Student Government Association

6. Mahesh Aggarwal, Ph.D. President, Faculty Senate

7. Rebecca Erwin-Cohen, Ph.D. ’90 President, Gannon University Alumni Association

8. Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D. Dean, College of Engineering and Business

9. Lori Lindley, Ph.D. Dean, College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

10. Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C Dean, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

1. Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. President

2. The Most Rev. Edward Lohse ’84 Bishop, Diocese of Kalamazoo

3. Rev. Michael Kesicki ’83 University Chaplain

4. Sarah Ewing, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Student Experience

Processional*

“Pomp and Circumstance: March No. 1”

Sir Edward Elgar

Posting of the Colors of the United States and Gannon University* Gannon University’s Army ROTC

National Anthem*

“The Star-Spangled Banner” By: Francis Scott Key Performed by: Friends of the University Chorus

Call to Commencement

Sarah Ewing, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Student Experience

Invocation*

Rev. Michael Kesicki ’83 University Chaplain

Welcome

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D.

President

Introduction of Commencement Speaker

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D.

President

Commencement Address

The Most Rev. Edward Lohse ’84 Bishop, Diocese of Kalamazoo

Presentation of Degree Candidates

Lori Lindley, Ph.D., Dean College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy

Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C, Dean Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D., Dean College of Engineering and Business

Master of Business Administration

Master of Healthcare Administration

Master of Science

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Master of Science in Computer and Information Science

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Master of Science in Embedded Software Engineering

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Lori D. Lindley, Ph.D., Dean College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Master of Arts

Master of Education

Master of Public Administration

Master of Science

Master of Science in Criminalistics

Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C, Dean Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences

Master of Athletic Training

Master of Physician Assistant Science

Master of Science

Master of Science in Nursing

Conferral of Degrees

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., President

Alumni Association Welcome

Rebecca Erwin-Cohen, Ph.D. ’90 President, Gannon University Alumni Association

Conferral of Distinguished Student Awards

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D., President

Kappa Gamma Pi

Prayer of Sending Forth

The Most Rev. Edward Lohse ’84 Bishop, Diocese of Kalamazoo

*All who are able are asked to stand.

Bishop Lohse:

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

Bishop Lohse:

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

Bishop Lohse:

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

Academic Regalia in American Universities

In 1895, the Intercollegiate Commission presented to American institutions of higher learning the Intercollegiate Code. Today, this code provides for three types of gowns. Those for bachelors are made of black material and have long, pointed sleeves. The master’s gown is made with an oblong sleeve, open at the wrist. The rear part of its oblong shape is a square cut and the front part has an arc cutaway. The doctor’s gown is made with bell-shaped sleeves and like the master’s gown, it is designed so that it can be worn open or closed.

The black oxford cap is worn for all degrees, but only the doctor’s cap may be made of velvet. Only doctors and presidents of colleges may wear a gold tassel on the cap.

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

Bishop Lohse:

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

All respond: Amen

It is the hood which is the most important and distinctive feature of the American code.

The doctor’s hood, of black cloth, is four feet in length and made with a wide panel. The master’s and bachelor’s hoods are three-and-one-half feet long and three feet wide.

The binding or trim of all hoods is of velvet, two, three and five inches wide for the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degrees, respectively.

The color of this velvet trim indicates the department or faculty to which the degree pertains, each department having been assigned a different color by the Intercollegiate Code. The lining of the hood reflects the official colors of the college/university.

Arts, Letters, Humanities - White

Business - Drab

Communications & Theology - Red

Education - Light Blue

Engineering - Orange

Health Sciences - Sage

Healthcare & Public Administration - Peacock

Law - Purple

Medical Sciences - Green

Nursing - Apricot

Philosophy - Royal

Political Science & Social Work - Citron

Public Health - Salmon

Science - Gold

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Most Rev. Edward Lohse ’84

Born and raised in the Erie area, Bishop Edward M. Lohse ‘84 was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Erie in 1989 by Bishop Michael Joseph Murphy at St. Peter Cathedral. He graduated from Our Lady of Peace Grade School in 1976, and from Cathedral Prep in 1980. Bishop Lohse attended Gannon University from 1980 to 1984, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vincent Seminary, with highest honors, completing his studies in 1988.

Following his ordination, Bishop Lohse served as a parochial vicar, high school faculty member and campus minister before returning to Gannon to serve as university chaplain from 1997 to 1999, while also serving as diocesan vocation director. In 2000, he departed for Rome to study for a license in canon law, which he completed, summa cum laude, from The Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, in 2002. He returned to the diocese to serve in administration, as vice chancellor and then chancellor, as well as the diocesan promoter of justice. In addition, he resumed his position as diocesan vocation director.

In 2010, Bishop Lohse was called to Rome to assist at the Holy See as an official of the Congregation for the Clergy. While in Rome, he also served as an adjunct faculty member of the Pontifical North American College and continued his studies, earning a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University. Bishop Lohse concluded his service to the Holy See in December of 2015, and began working once again in diocesan administration in the Diocese of Erie, serving as episcopal vicar for canonical services and then as vicar general. He was named a Chaplain to His Holiness by Pope Francis in December 2015. He has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 2002 and served as a member of the Saint Vincent Seminary Board of Regents from 2003 to 2010. Bishop Lohse received an honorary degree from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2010.

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Lohse to lead the Diocese of Kalamazoo on May 23, 2023. Bishop Lohse was ordained and installed as the fifth bishop for the Diocese of Kalamazoo on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at St. Augustine Cathedral.

Most Rev. Edward M. Lohse Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES

Doctoral Studies

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Doctor of Philosophy

Abbey Lesniewski

Organizational Learning and Leadership

Doctoral Dissertation:

University-Community Partnerships in Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development

Channa Morgan

Organizational Learning and Leadership

Doctoral Dissertation:

An Intersection of Authenticity and Female Business Leadership: A Phenomenological Study

Jonathan William Ulrich

Organizational Learning and Leadership

Doctoral Dissertation:

Leadership in Physical Therapy: A Qualitative Study

MOROSKY COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND SCIENCES

Doctor of Physical Therapy

Ghader Al-Asady

Chloe Margaret Benz

Ashley Brawn

Sean R. Colosimo

Tyra Diedra Crawford

Derek Scott Ekas

Kaitlyn Marie Faber

Alicia Christine Fenton

Caroline Gabrielle Fessler

Sadie Elizabeth Frey

Andrew Michael Fritz

Kathleen J. Greer

Kathryn Marie Hamilton

Riley Elizabeth Kissner

Conner Kleffman

Brandin Knight

Chelsea Marie Kozub

Scott Daniel Leitholf

Thomas Lira

Kathleen M. McMahon

Chinonso Blessing Modozie

Kaisa C. Morgan

Paige Eileen Oliver

Annamarie Osiecki

Sarah Marie Phippin

Kerrigan Rathbun

Katelyn Marie Rumbarger

Evan T. Salter

Jessica Rhea Schaville

Jenna Kylie Smith

Nicholas William Smith

Nicholas J. Sousanidis

Dejae’ Alexus Stanton

Sarah Ann Steeb

Lauryn Rebecca Thompson

Hannah Blair Vernetti

Richard Nicholas Vlah

Dawsyn Elise Wheeling

Caitlin Yoder

Erica Zuccolotto

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Graduate Studies

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS

Master of Business Administration

Ibrokhimbek Akhmedov

Vandana Babu Reddy

Erdenebat Batbold

Dayasagar Behara

Krishna Chaitanya Bekkari

Emily Nicole Berdyck

Shravan Billa

Jayanth Brungi

Jagadish Challa

Tyler Anthony Darden

Bishwajit Debnath

Nicholas W. Demchuk

Vashist Gadela

Jocelyn T. Gibbs

Ravi Kiran Goantela

Aakanksha Gudala

Seshagiri Rao Guttikonda

Andres Hasbun Velasco

Nigel Anthony Haughton

Master of Healthcare Administration

Saveri Aleti

Danielle Bales

Shreya Alpeshbhai Bhatt

Princyben Christian

Rajitha Gangineni

Varghese George Kora

Michaela Rose Giambrone

Master of Science

Sreeja Allapuram

Rishikesh Andugula

Sohaib Aslam

Anil Avanigadda

Arun Badi

Vishal Baja

Namratha Battu

Praveen Kumar Dantala

Jyothsna Devarapalli

Raktim Dey

Kalyan Dhulipudi

Akash Gajagouni

Ganesh Kumar Raju Girijala

Varun Dev Godha

Hemanth Sai Jammula

Guna Sathwik Jannu

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Sophia R. Piatt

Zachary Hobbs

Md Zahidul Islam

Rahul Yadav Jakkula

Ivan Joshi

Dhanunjayareddy Reddy Kallam

Justin Kerestes

Kiran Khadka

Rafiqus Salehin Khan

Emily Elizabeth Kinecki

Sri Latha Reddy Koduri

Georgios Panagiotis Koutroulis

Ajayreddy Kunta

Rauf Mammadov

Sri Vignesh Manam

Izazuddin Mohammad

Jahnavi Mulinti

Abhiniti Stella Munzni

Rashaad Poindexter

Yaswanth Kumar Prathivada

Tauhedur Rahman

Charu Rajbhandari

Marcus Christian Rathburn

Abdulrahman Salem

Victoria Marie Sandstrom

Madyson Schwartz

Reza E. Rabbi Shawon

Ivan Stapchuck

Isabella Sumney

Lyle Tipton

Guru Brahmam Tiriveedhi

Md Kafil Uddin

Angela Marie Vandamia

Brett Whitty

Yolanda M. Williams

Huma Younas

Mohammad Qais Zamani

Kaipa Sushma

Harmanpreet Kaur

Aashiyana Nizamuddin Khandhiya

Sreeja Kilari

Man Deep Kaur

Amanpreet Oberoi

Shulamite N. Ogunbor

Juhi Pattani

Rajwant Kaur

Komal K. Rana

Brandan A. Rea

Sorab Sinha

Anu Varghese

Anil Kumar Kagitha

Vinitha Kandukuri

Yaswanth Karri

Pavan Kumar Kodali

Sreeja Korrapati

Vinith Kumar Kudikala

Alekhya Lingampally

Bharat Varma Manthena

Amina Marat

Adnan Mehedi

Navya Munagala

Rushyanth Swamy Narindi

Jyothi Sri Harsha Nunna

Vijaya Krishna Nunna

Rama Pavan Pajjuru

Brahmeswari Papasani

Sai Praneeth Pariparthi

Udishkumar Shirishbhai Patel

Yatheesh Reddy Patil

Sathwik Patteti

Charlotte Jennifer Philips

Prasanna Lakshmi Prattigadapa

Sivananda Putta

Tharun Srinivas Raavi

Allabaksh Shaik

Rahul Sunkari

Sooraj Valiyaveettil Sudheer

Sai Bhargav Veeravalli

Pooja Vogilishetty

Lasya Vuyyuru

Master of Science in Computer and Information Science

Vamsi Naidu Addanki

Hanumanthu Rao Ardhalapudi

Hemadevi Bayapati

Venkata Sai Chowdary Chadalavada

Pavan Kalyan Cherupalli

Avinash Chirumamilla

Muhammad Shoyaibur

Rahman Chowdhury

Nithish Dasariraju

Murali Deekonda

Shiva Chandra Devaganika

Manasa Dudipalla

Parameswari Eddala

Hasith Eluri

Nikhil Gopishetti

Prince Goti

Sravya Gujjarlapudi

Ifeoma Linda Igwebuike

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Charles Julius Maier

Charan Reddy Indhurthi

Vignanvardhan Jangam

Marcus Patrick Kalivoda

Sai Lokesh Kandikatla

Kanaka Durga Kantheti

Yashwanth Sai Raja Kasini

Manohar Kotapati

Mounika Kotapati

Akruthi Kotla

Hari Kumar Kovuru

Rajashekhar Reddy Legala

Sirapa Malla

Vyshnavi Mayavar

Ayon Mazumder

Virat Reddy Nalamalapu

Venkat Vinod Kumar Naranepati

Esther Chinamuako Ohiri

Akhilesh Yadav Padala

Master of Science in Embedded Software Engineering

Akhil Maroju

Md Toushif Pramanik

Master of Science in Engineering Management

Meshal Saeed N Alghamdi

Saad Saed Alharthi

Krishnavi Gandra

Ngozi Emade Okoro

Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management

Margaret Bilquin

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Saeed Mohammed S Alarjani

Kieran A. Gagnon

Maharshi Panchal

Darshankumar Patel

Deep Patel

Jhanvi Patel

Rahi Patel

Ruta Patel

Rathi Kavya Sai Sri Peddinti

Nikhil Reddy Police

Amareswari Potu

Settipalli Lakshmikar Reddy

Sai Meghana Santati

Raghu Sathelly

Imran Ibrahim Abdel Latif Shalabi

Anish Shrestha

Keerthi Chowdary Surampalli

Sajan Tandukar Khusal

Tarun Reddy Vermareddy

Narendrabhupath Reddy Yanumula

Abhishek Ravva

Gaurav Sodhaparmar

Savankumar Patel

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Master of Arts

Leah Bermudez

Manvir Singh Ghumman

Adnan Hossain

Maxwell Kerr

Master of Education

Hannah Brown

Anthony T. Caruso

Gabriel Elder

Joshua Fry

Mallory Gentile

Jamie L. Johnson

Master of Public Administration

Salma Akter

Azzah Saleh Alghamdi

Zaire S. Allen

Abdulnasser Khalifah M. Alnasser

Hnan Abdullah Alshehri

Mohammed Hamad Althubyani

Jannat Ara

Md Arif

John Bauer

Master of Science

Olivia Ray Doverspike

Savannah Rose Kistler

Lyndsey Marie Lakatos

Master of Science in Criminalistics

Fatima Al-Dafaai

Lauren Arroyo

Taylor M. Conklin

Avery R. Ross

Ankit Kumar

Nicole Serena Lossie

Madison Nicole Maurice

Abdullokhon Qayumov

Josna Susan Jossy

Regan Cheyenne von Richter

Samantha Young

Adam Gary Kanonczyk

Alexandra Di Lee

Katie Marie Matko

Anne Christine McKenzie

Cayla Meyer

Samantha A. Muto

Jessica Lynn Perkins

Marisa Anne Purdy

Tarah Marie Rounsville

Cassandra Ann Sandorf

Dale Snyder

Ashley N. Spadacene

Md Mehedi Hassan

Md Shakhaowat Hossain

Md Rasibul Islam

Kiara Celicia Maria James

Afrin Hoque Jui

Lucas Paul MacKenzie

Allison F. Mosier

Mary Mullings

Elina Panayides

Priyanka Patel

Purviben Kalpeshbhai Patel

Venkata Sri Vaishnavi Patnana

Nigel Reddick

Erika Tatiana Rey Castro

Zukhriddinkhon Shukurov

Alec Quinn Wheeler

Courtney Rose Rowley

Edward J. Seawick

Mikaela A. Whalen

Michael Wolff

Brianna Wolfgang

Emma Kate Wright

Kollin Schwab

Jasmine Ciara Smith

Bransen Corleone Stanley

Heather M. Taylor

Sylvia Totie

Justice Anthony Wickham

MOROSKY COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND SCIENCES

Master of Athletic Training

Jacob D. Eger

Master of Physician Assistant Science

Alexander Altmire

Connor Atkins

Brooke Ashley Barcia

Scott Becht

Alison Benim

Melanie Marie Bertges

Elisabeth Brown

Erin Brumagin

Billie Caruso

Grace J. Clevenger

Alexandra Jean Cowell

Ashley Nicole Cumberledge

Abigail Davis

Trenten Dippold

Adam Durfee

Madison Marie Duschek

Isabella Lucy Ehrensberger

Zoe Ehrensberger

Claire Elizabeth Fahey

Alison M. Fancher

Joseph Gregory Ficca

Grace Elizabeth Foster

Master of Science

Robert Banister

Lily Bargabus

Chyna Bohman

Stephanie Bujnoski

Morgan Byers

Maria Camila Camacho Urrego

Michael W. Carragino

Madelyn Grace Clark

Brock Neal Conn

Amanda Leigh Crago

Brittney Davis

Emanuele DeCicco

Morgan Gilbert

Allison Marie Gladden

Bryce Grecco

Isabella Maria Green

Leanna Gregas

Jorge I. González Perez

Jema Reasoner

Madison Suzanne Foster

Amy Celine Frosch

Hayley Evelyn Gannon

Ryan Elizabeth Gannon

Brendan James Gavin

Danielle Claire Gielarowski

Liliya A. Golub

Hannah Gorski

Danielle Elizabeth Gray

Abagail Alanna Hanson

Maya Hayes

Lauren Heutsche

Olivia Heysek

Stephen Luke Jaussen

Alexis Marie Keating

Reiley Simone Kennedy

Julia Renee Koger

Sripada Kondur

Mariah Kshir

Ryan Matthew Laitinen

Izabella LeGuard

Claire Elizabeth Livingston

Kaitlyn Patsy Lyons

Marissa Paige MacDonald

Caleb J. Mandel

Bridget Kathleen Marks

Sydni Renee McConnell

Tristin Nicole McKanna

Anthony Miceli

Dima Murtada

Caitlin O’Rourke

Joshua Michael Pavlovich

Amanda Pristas

Marion Hart Reilly

Emily A. Seggio

Mandeepk Kaur Singh

Megan Lynn Spizarny

Jessica Elizabeth Thomas

Grace Vrana

Gabrielle Wisniewski Willacker

Alexandra Wilson

Elizabeth Grace Wygonik

Alexandra Gyory

Lauren Amelia Habursky

Grace Elizabeth Heim

Hunter S. Hendricks

Dalaina Holmes

Adaria Kalise Hopkins

Madeline Anna Horst

Samantha Kirsch

Sheila Colleen Lang

Brianna Nicole McCloskey

Madison McElhinny

Alyvia Jean McKimm

Tyler Mihna

Miranda Morales

Abigail Osche

Karsyn Marie Plis

Carolyn L. Pratt

Jenna Rose Puhalla

Ella Rasper

Taylor Noell Ridge

Morgan M. Rinas

Bethany Schirz

Rebecca Michelle Sheridan

Hannah Michelle Shuck

Haley Marie Spicer

Joshua Tan

Alexis Tosado

Kathryn Elizabeth Unger

Allison Wargo

Jenna Marie Weisner

Madeline Rosalee Welch

Marley Jayne Woolslare

Master of Science in Nursing

Sarah Ruth Adly

Cameron Walter Dennis Bast

Ashton Melissa Bird

Marcus Glenn Bryant

Liudmila Budeanu

Jason R. Camilo

Kirat Gill

Shaha Ibrahim

Theodore D. Martin

John Anthony McGraw, Jr.

Teylor Morgan Pearson

Emily Quaill

Kaitlin M. Renkewith

Rashelle Anna Lee Reynolds

Gregory Standish

Doris A. Towne

Theodore Michael Trzaska

Marshall R. Volosh

Dustin Richard Yoder

ACADEMIC AWARDS Graduate Studies

For Excellence in...

Robert Banister Applied Exercise Physiology

Jema Reasoner Athletic Training

Sophia R. Piatt Biomedical Engineering

Molly Courson Business Administration

Georgios Panagiotis Koutroulis Business Analytics

Emma Kate Wright Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Sai Meghana Santati Computer & Information Science

Lauren Arroyo Criminalistics

Kappa Gamma Pi Nominees

Heidi J. Zedlar Doctor of Nursing Practice

Kathleen M. McMahon Doctor of Physical Therapy

Ashley Nicole Junk Education in Curriculum & Instruction

Annabelle Helm Electrical Engineering

Jacob Lehotsky Embedded Software Engineering

Nihal Reddy Bankulla Engineering Management

Padma Chapagain Environmental Science & Management

Theodore D. Martin Family Nurse Practitioner

Amanpreet Oberoi Health Care Administration

Charlotte Jennifer Philips Information Assurance & Cybersecurity

Kieran A. Gagnon Mechanical Engineering

Isabella Maria Green Occupational Therapy

Stephen Luke Jaussen Physician Assistant

Erika Tatiana Rey Castro Public Administration

Regan Cheyenne von Richter Strategic Communication

The following students were nominated for the Kappa Gamma Pi National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society for academic excellence and service leadership.

Lauren Arroyo

Erika Tatiana Rey Castro Justin Kerestes

Georgios Panagiotis Koutroulis

Katie Marie Matko

Heather M. Taylor

Madeline Rosalee Welch

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.