2025 COMMENCEMENT
2025 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 Chief 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
3.
4.
President and CEO, Lutheran Foundation for Long-Term Living
Provost and Vice President for Student Experience
7.
1. Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. President, Gannon University
2. The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L. Bishop, Diocese of Erie Chairperson, Board of Trustees
Mark Gusek
Sarah Ewing, Ph.D.
5. Reverend Michael Kesicki ’83 University Chaplain
6. Matthew Nichilo President, Student Government Association
Megan Woller, Ph.D. President, Faculty Senate
8. Kelly (Fennessy) Meredith ’08 President, Gannon Alumni Board
9. Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D. Dean, College of Engineering and Business
10. Lori Lindley, Ph.D. Dean, College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
11. Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C Dean, Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences
Order of Exercises
Processional*
“Pomp and Circumstance: March No. 1”
Sir Edward Elgar
Posting of Colors*
Gannon University’s Army ROTC
Pride of Pennsylvania Battalion
National Anthem*
“The Star-Spangled Banner” By: Francis Scott Key
Performed by:
DeAzhane M. Matthews-Rosendary ’25
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
Presentation of Honorary Degree
Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D.
President
Commencement Address
Mark Gusek
President and CEO, Lutheran Foundation for Long-Term Living
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 Nursing Practice
Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D., Dean College of Engineering and Business Associate of Science
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
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 Lindley, Ph.D., Dean
College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Associate of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Master of Arts
Master of Education
Master of Public Administration
Master of Science in Criminalistics
Kimberly Cavanagh, DHSc, PA-C, Dean Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Master of Physician Assistant Science
Master of Science in Nursing
Conferral of Degrees
Sarah Ewing, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Student Experience
Alumni Association Welcome
Kelly (Fennessy) Meredith ’08
President, Gannon National Alumni Board
Benediction*
The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L. Bishop, Diocese of Erie
Recessional
*All who are able are asked to stand.
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
Mark Gusek
With over 25 years of leadership experience spanning healthcare, manufacturing, aviation, and higher education, Mark Gusek is a dynamic and results-driven executive known for guiding organizations through transformational change and operational excellence.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics/Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and has continually expanded his expertise through extensive continuing education in areas such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management, Project Management, and MRP/ERP/EHR implementation.
Currently serving as President and CEO of The Lutheran Foundation for Long-Term Living – a foundation committed to enhancing quality of life for individuals with healthrelated challenges – Gusek leads strategic philanthropic grant-making efforts focused on organizations that engage in, or support, home and community based services (HCBS) for men and women. The philanthropic grant-making endeavors may also assist other charitable organizations, as well as individual men and women, in the activity or pursuit of education, scientific instruction, organized research, sponsored research activities and other institutional activities, or community purposes that benefit men and women.
His prior executive leadership includes a pivotal role as CEO of The Lutheran Home for the Aged and LIFE Northwestern Pennsylvania, where his decisive action saved a century-old long-term care facility from collapse. By implementing home and community-based programs and increasing nursing care levels, Gusek positioned the organization for sustainable success under a dual Medicaid and Medicare capitated model.
Previously, Gusek was President of an air charter operation overseeing a private aircraft airport operation with 11 aircraft and 50 employees, delivering 24/7 full-service aviation support to both commercial and corporate clients. His manufacturing expertise is rooted in his tenure from engineering manager to division manager for local molding companies such as Lord Corporation, PLASTEK, Inc., and others where he managed large-scale molding operations with a full suite of high-volume and low-volume production capabilities.
An innovator in both operational and cultural transformation, Gusek has facilitated Lean implementation, cellular manufacturing, and value stream analysis in organizations such as General Motors Powertrain and Bethlehem Steel. He has even been able to find common thread manufacturing concepts by consulting in the local confectionery industries where he modernized production and introduced Activity-Based Costing to improve profitability.
Gusek’s work has extended internationally, including successful product reengineering in the UK to align with European standards, increasing global market share. He has played critical roles in capital project justification, Board-level strategy, and federal grant/loan acquisition across several U.S. Department of Transportation programs and the SBA.
Beyond the boardroom, he is an accomplished aviator with over 45 years of flying experience, holding an Airline Transport Pilot license and previous certification as a flight instructor and Citation Jet type rating. He is also a PSIA Level III certified ski instructor with over three decades of skiing experience.
In addition to Gusek’s corporate roles, he has shared his knowledge as an adjunct professor at Pennsylvania State University – Behrend College, contributing to the development of future industry leaders.
Mark Gusek brings a rare blend of strategic foresight, operational acumen, and humancentered leadership—driven by a lifelong commitment to excellence, innovation, and service.
In recognition of his distinguished career and dedicated service, Gannon is proud to proclaim
Mark Gusek
Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Doctoral Studies
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Doctor of Philosophy
Zachary Louis Hopkins
Doctoral Dissertation: Exploring the Role of Faculty in Developing Student Leadership Capacity within Liberal Studies: A Phenomenological Study
Angela Pucciarelli Rice
Doctoral Dissertation: Leadership Experiences of Women Serving as Senior Woman Administrators for Intercollegiate Athletic Departments in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in New York State Individuals
MOROSKY COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND SCIENCES
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Anastasia Gyesaw Abankwah
Doctoral Capstone Project: The Effectiveness of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Weight Management in Adults with Obesity
Lina Albarouki
Doctoral Capstone Project: Enhancing Nurse Practitioner Competency in Pediatric Obesity Management: An Educational Intervention
Nkeiruka Anyiam
Doctoral Capstone Project: Antibiotic Stewardship Training: Increase Providers’ Confidence and Willingness to Appropriately Prescribe Antibiotics
Ololade Babarinde
Doctoral Capstone Project: Medication Adherence in Major Depressive Disorder
Erich Berantuo
Doctoral Capstone Project: Perceptions of Traditional In-Person and Telehealth Services
Alissa Butler
Doctoral Capstone Project: Nursing Faculty Perceptions on the Use of Immersive Virtual Reality (iVR) for Developing Maternal-Child Clinical Competency
Omasiel Herenia Comrie-Reinert
Doctoral Capstone Project: Medication Adherence in Adults Using Antipsychotics
Brian Richard Cunningham
Doctoral Capstone Project: Path to Renewal: Orienting Mental Health Professionals on the Veteran Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Tiffany Lacole Davis
Doctoral Capstone Project: Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in Elderly Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Sara Ann Finchio-English
Doctoral Capstone Project: Mindfulness: Improving Student Nurse Perceived Stress
Dianne Amélie Marie-José Fontaine
Doctoral Capstone Project: Transitioning From In-Person Office Visit to Telepsychiatry: Measuring the Impact on Effectiveness and Fidelity
Laura Lynn Litzinger
Doctoral Capstone Project: Closing the Academic Practice Gap in Nurse Residency Programs: A Pilot Project
Pauline O. Magara
Doctoral Capstone Project: Spiritual Care Education for Outpatient Psychiatric Providers: A Quality Improvement Initiative
Stephanie N. McElhaney
Doctoral Capstone Project: How Service-Learning Impacts a Student’s Perception of Self-Efficacy
Lindsay Nicole Menhorn
Doctoral Capstone Project: Advanced Care Planning in Primary Care
Mihaela Pendos
Doctoral Capstone Project: Retrospective Study on the Effects of Long-Acting Injectables in Those Suffering from Schizophrenia
Cecilia A. Williams
Doctoral Capstone Project: Integrating Distress Reduction into Diabetes Self-Management Education: An Evidence-Based Approach to Improve Glycemic Control and Psychological Well-Being
*Cum Laude †Magna cum Laude ‡Summa cum Laude +Academic Honors
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES College of Engineering and Business
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Associate of Science
Sanae Takagi Lombard
Bachelor of Arts
Jhavaun Blake Victor Desmond‡ Sir Jerome Treadwell
Bachelor of Science
Md Shadidur Isl Jawad
Madison Paige Penpek
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Adian Falah Yahya Al Bayati
Aiden T. Bullers†
Samuel J. Crowley
Ifeanyi Peterpaul Ijezie*
Rahil Kabiri*
Husen Abdulrazak Kara
Jashanpreet Kaur
Tomoki Kouchi†
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Carine Uwase Munezero*
GRADUATE STUDIES
Master of Business Administration
Tarun Satya Sai Addepalli
Adewunmi Oluwabunmi Adeniyi
Robert Vesper Amsdell
Afm Tanvir Anjum
Amaan Ateeq Khan
Damini Raj Bhatraj
Pooja Bosala
Andrew S. Carlson
Divya Chinnabathini
Bilguujin Chuluunbaatar
Pranay Kumar Dasari
Treyon Davis
Jaucinta Dean
Vaishali Kantibhai Desai
Sai Kumar Dola
Master of Healthcare Administration
Vanshika Bhatia
Pravallika Damaravarapu
Muhammad Jamshaid
Juhi Maharjan†
Jason T. Martin
Elizabet Matusala
Austin Brian Miller*
Aysha Idris Mithil
Philip Jagger Nielsen
Noah Luke Oros*
Sverre Saetre Orten†
Cameron Nelson Fails Patterson
Ditte Marie Piil Lykær Petersen‡
Maria Elizabeth Piecuch*
Alianna Jayleen Ruiz
Abigail Rose Spohrer
Megan Marie Swavey
Tyler G. Walton
Shannon Marie Yahner
Menuka Dotel
Ashley Jordan Fallgren
James Faulkner
Eshwar Goud Gaddameedi
Michaela Rose Giambrone
Kavya Guda
Sabina Gurung
My Duyen Ha
Le Tu Vy Huynh
Kartheek Kambhampati
Gopi Karumuri
Ravi Teja Katta
Venkatachalam Katta
Sangit Khadka
Nicole Rose Luoma
Venkatesh Malineni
Natalia Justine Mallozzi
Tusharreddy Modugula
Rasool Masthanshavali Mohammad
Tasfiha Silma Nawar
Kim Minh Khoi Nguyen
Sreekaran Reddy Nookala
Stephanie Owusu
Nandini Peddi
Anastasiia Romanenko
Aaron Scarfia
Heather A. Seuffert
Morgan Marie Sinan
Anita Singh
Abigail Vemavarapu
Zohaib Khalid
Komal Preet Kaur
Nancy Dashrathbhai Patel
Tulsi Patel
Muhammad Sana Ullah
*Cum Laude †Magna cum Laude ‡Summa cum Laude +Academic Honors
Master of Science
Sadhana Adhumulla
Rahul Adnoor
Mohan Krishna Ambati
Chandra Babu Annabathina
Charitha Arigela
Bhaskar Sharath Kanna Bijina
Praveen Boda
Naveen Kumar Reddy Chandragiri
Kranthi Kumar Cheekoti
Keerthi Reddy Chinnapareddy
Sudeep Chuwai
Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Gavyn Kade Hansotte
Harshanandhan Reddy Gajulapalli
Ramya Gudala
Jahnavi Goud Gudidevuni
Deekshitha Gunde
Utkanth Siddik Kanulla
Shelbi Lea King
Padmini Komma
Nithin Koneti
Deekshith Reddy Kothakapu
Rajasekhar Reddy Mareddy
Rohith Niligonda
Mounish Nizampatnam
Harshavardhan Reddy Panta
Malli Venkatesh Vardhan Pasupuleti
Preethi Rasala
Varun Reddy Shyamala
Vinitha Tathari
Haritha Tenneru
Vamshi Valaboju
Lakshmi Vallepu
Michael James Wilcko
Aklesh Kumar Yadav
Usha Sri Nikkala
Master of Science in Computer and Information Science
Rathan Achugatla
Nikhil Armoor
Preethi Avunuri
Karthik Bogaraju
Sravani Botlagunta
Jagadish Chandra Chavatapalem
Latha Chennakeshava Reddy
Chakradhar Chintakayala
Priyanka Chirumamilla
Rojan Dahal
Anirudh Devabhakthuni
Dinesh Kumar Reddy Devalapalli
Manohar Eddagiri
Varsha Ensaram
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Mouayed Abduljalil M
Abduljalil M Allam
Anil Kumar Gadipudi
Sai Kiran Reddy Garlapati
Nagavenkata Visweswara
Sai Chaitanya Gatte
Phaneendra Kasturi
Siva Ramakrishna Katuri
Abhinay Koduri
Bhanoji Chowdary Madala
Karthik Reddy Mandadi
Pallavi Mandala
Bhanu Kiran Matha
Sai Reethika Medisetti
Lathasree Muthineni
Tejaswi Nagothu
Nitish Nerusu
Mahesh Pala
Naga Archana Reddy Pamireddy
Netra Niveditha Parisa
Prasanna Pidikiti
Sreeja Pudari
Gouse Basha Shaik
Sony Kapoor Shaik
Siva Sai Krishna Sunkara
Shivashetty Tejaswi
Roshini Thummanapelli
Mounika Lakshmi Yeddu
Anudeep Reddy Yeruva
Dhruv Dilipkumar Chaudhary Kanhai Solanki
Master of Science in Embedded Software Engineering
Omega Tadese Dibaba
Deepthi Kolli
Darshan Ramegowda
Rakesh Kumar Siripurapu
Master of Science in Engineering Management
Ammar Abdullah I Aloqayli
Stephen D. Bagley
Saikiran Narri
Sana Santhan
Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management
Jaspreet Singh
Vasanthi Konakanchi
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Venkata Hassan Reddy Ganapa
Deepu Mathew
Nirmal Pravinbhai Patel
Yash Mukeshbhai Patel
Athila Sasikumar
Chandu Naik Ramavath
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Associate of Arts
Deaujarae Marshae Cleveland+
Bachelor of Arts
Brianna Alexis Barr
Izaak Mitchell Bryson‡
Thomas Edward Caulfield‡
Kae Michele Cohen‡
Alyssa M. Connor
Jamir Christopher Fitzgerald Francis
Sir Isaac Benjamin Giles
Tyler Montgomery Hufnagel
Bachelor of Science
Rylee Brianne Alloway
Caesar Grandinetti*
Ellie J. Malesiewski*
GRADUATE STUDIES
Master of Arts
Md Jahangir Alam
Abu Hena Md Martuza Ali
Master of Education
Emily Elizabeth Aul
Allison Marie Delany
Sarah Ann Hall
Master of Public Administration
Ohud Mohammed M Al Harbi
Mohammed Raja S Alharbi
Walaa Wasel A Almasallam
Master of Science in Criminalistics
Harley Marie Johnson
Carolin Grace Coyne
Danni Lynn Kehl‡
Bailey J. Kroell*
Deazhane’ Monique
Matthews-Rosendary
Marissa Annalise Melius†
Madison Marie Mikotowicz*
Alexia Kathleen Miracle*
Maya Panday
Julie A. Sines+
Christian Isiah Perpignand
Ethan Cordell Richner
Annalise Marie Santone
Jacob Jerome Skolnik†
Madisyn Rose Steber
Deklan G. Thurston
Kiaran Demetrius Todd
Bryce Daniel Wood*
Dimitri Giovanni Martiny
Bailey Patricia McMahon†
Lily Owens†
Rylee M. Rodland‡
Mikaela Marie Vahey‡
Sean Michael Morphy
Amrender Singh
Kayla Briann Kiraly
Abigail Knowles
Braden Lynn
Ghader Saeed A Alshehri
Dilara Hossain
Kywann Richard Jagaroo
Nasrin Sultana
Michael Ronald Molchany
Nicholas J. Rhoades
Ishika Nileshbhai Patel
Renier Arlo Williams
Aslan Sapiev
Cum Laude †Magna cum Laude ‡Summa cum Laude +Academic Honors
CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES
Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences
UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES
Bachelor of Science
Grace May Boozel
Andrew David Burton
Angelina Marie Carbo†
Alexandra E. Daniels‡
Matthew Ryan Dimitroff
Jordan Celine Ditkowski*
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Rachel Christine Green
Kristopher John McEwen
GRADUATE STUDIES
Master of Physician Assistant Science
Michael Anthony Caputo
Master of Science in Nursing
Christa M. Allen
Siena Isabella Cook
Christina Eve Gorski
Iradukunda Esperance†
Emily Peyten Hale
Tanya Maister
Jared Charles Marchiori‡
Camron Cole Marciniak‡
Liliya M. Melnik‡
Allyson Nicole Novak
Katie Anne Shaffer
Halle Noonan
Azhar Rahama
Jensen Margaret Mary Smith*
Carlo Tabaro
Kristine Emerline Atanacio Lim
Megan Sara Shumway
Doris A. Towne
HONORS PROGRAM GRADUATES
Honors Distinction
Nicole Woodham
These students have exhibited academic excellence through the completion of honors credits, maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, developed their global perspectives, produced impactful research, engaged in service, and demonstrated leadership as honors students.
Andrew David Burton
Kae Michele Cohen Azhar Rahama
Alannah
*Cum Laude †Magna cum Laude ‡Summa cum Laude
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 cut-away. 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.
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
Academic Honor
in length and made with a wide panel. The master’s and bachelor’s hoods are three-andone-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.
Students who participated in a semester, summer, or internship abroad are wearing stoles representing the countries in which they studied or interned.
Cum laude is Latin for “with praise” or “with honor” and represents an academic level of achievement. Such honors are divided into categories based on a student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA) and are designated throughout this program.
Academic honors are approximated for commencement and may not reflect each student’s final honor designation upon program completion. See the undergraduate academic catalog for requirements to obtain the following academic honors.
The Gannon University Seal
The Gannon seal symbolizes the institution’s rich history and its Mission.
The right side of the shield is proper to Gannon’s founder, Archbishop John Mark Gannon, who selected spiritual symbols for his Episcopal seal when he became a bishop. The three crosses in the upper right corner express faith in the Trinity.
The left side of the shield includes the traditional symbols of education: the lamp of learning, the book of knowledge and the sun as a symbol of enlightenment. The waves refer to Gannon’s Erie, Pennsylvania and Ruskin, Florida campus locations adjacent to Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico. The sunburst in Gannon’s logo carries forward this tradition and symbolism of Gannon as a source of energy, optimism and enlightenment.
Arts, Letters, Humanities - White
Business - Drab
Education - Light Blue
Engineering - Orange
Health Sciences - Sage
Law - Purple
Medical Sciences - Green
Nursing - Apricot
Philosophy - Royal
Public Administration - Peacock
Public Health - Salmon
Science - Gold
Social Work - Citron
Theology - Red
Cum Laude (“with honor”) - GPA of at least 3.50
Magna cum Laude (“with great honor”) - GPA of at least 3.70
Summa cum Laude (“with highest honor”) - GPA of at least 3.90
With Academic HonorsAssociate Degree students with a GPA of at least 3.50
The shield in the seal is surrounded by three ribbons, each of which contains a Latin word: sanitas, which means health; scientia, which means knowledge; and sanctitas, holiness. Gannon continues to embrace the spirit of these words through its focus on the holistic development of students. Finally, Latin letters that circle the seal honor that Gannon University was founded in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1925.
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.