Commencement Program - December 2021

2021

COMMENCEMENT

SUNDAY, DECEMBER TWELFTH | HAMMERMILL CENTER | ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA

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

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.

Arts, Letters, Humanities - White

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.

Engineering - Orange

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.

Business - Drab Education - Light Blue 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

Academic Honor 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.

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 Honors Associate Degree students with a GPA of at least 3.50

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, as is customary, 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 campus location adjacent to Lake Erie. The sunburst in Gannon’s logo carries forward this tradition and symbolism of Gannon as a source of energy, optimism and enlightenment. This summer sun is also a reminder of how Gannon is blessed with the resources of this great lake.

The shield in the seal is surrounded by three ribbons, each of which contains a Latin word: sanitas, which means soundness of mind; scientia, which means knowledge; and sanctitas, holiness of life. 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 indicate that Gannon University is located in Erie, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1925.

2021

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 Dais Party

Dais Party 6

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1. Reverend Michael T. Kesicki University Chaplain and Associate Vice President for Mission and Ministry 2. Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President, Gannon University 3. The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L. Bishop, Diocese of Erie Chairperson, Board of Trustees

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6. Matthew Schlessman President, Student Government Association 7. T. Andrew Caswell, Ph.D. President, Faculty Senate 8. Aaron E. Susmarski, Esq. ’09 President, Gannon National Alumni Board 9. Karinna M. Vernaza, Ph.D. Dean, College of Engineering and Business

4. Michael J. Nunes ’01 Senior Vice President in Current Programing at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming

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

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

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

GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

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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 Call to Commencement Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Student Experience Invocation* Rev. Michael Kesicki University Chaplain and Associate Vice President for Mission and Ministry

Karinna M. Vernaza, Ph.D., Dean College of Engineering and Business Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Master of Business Administration Master of Healthcare Administration 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 Health and Engineering 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 Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science Master of Arts Master of Education Master of Public Administration Master of Science

Welcome Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President, Gannon University Musical Interlude “The Call” Lyrics by George Herbert Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams Performed by Lydia Andraso ’22

Sarah J. Ewing, Ph.D., Dean Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Science in Nursing Master of Science

Presentation of Honorary Degree Keith Taylor, Ph.D. President Commencement Address Michael J. Nunes ’01 Senior Vice President in Current Programing at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming Presentation of Degree Candidates Lori D. Lindley, Ph.D., Dean College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences Doctor of Philosophy

Conferral of Degrees Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Student Experience Benediction* The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, J.C.L. Bishop, Diocese of Erie Recessional

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

All who are able are asked to stand.

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GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Michael J. Nunes ’01 Gannon University is pleased to honor Michael J. Nunes, senior vice president in Current Programing at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming.

Nunes is a seventeen-year veteran of NBC, where he has most recently held titles of manager, vice president and now senior vice president of Current Programming. Nunes has worked on some of the network’s biggest hits including This is Us, The Good Place, Superstore, New Amsterdam, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and upcoming Peacock shows, Field of Dreams and Ted. During his NBC career in comedy and drama development, he has also handled several other shows including Community, Parenthood and Revolution.

Nunes is a native of Erie, Pa. and graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 1997. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies in 2001 from Gannon University, where he was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity as well as vice president of marketing for the Student Government Association. Nunes earned his master’s degree in television, radio and film from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in 2002.

In 2017, Variety Magazine named Nunes to its annual list of new leaders, featuring him among the profiles of “the most prominent up-and-comers in the entertainment business.” All are forty years of age or younger.

In recognition of his distinguished career and dedicated service, Gannon is proud to proclaim Michael J. Nunes Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa

GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

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CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Doctoral Studies Cum Laude

*

Magna cum Laude

†

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Doctor of Philosophy Julia Dyatel Organizational Learning and Leadership Doctoral Dissertation: A Narrative Analysis of Women in C-Suite Leadership Positions

Jeanette Ruth Redenius Organizational Learning and Leadership Doctoral Dissertation: Black Male Community Leaders

Samuel Aaron Goodge Organizational Learning and Leadership Doctoral Dissertation: A Qualitative Study to Explore College Presidents’ Perceptions of Greek Social Organizations

Jason P. Wick Organizational Learning and Leadership Doctoral Dissertation: A Qualitative Study of Leadership Development in the United States Navy Seals

MOROSKY COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND SCIENCES Doctor of Nursing Practice Tammy Lynn Dawson Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Perceived Barriers to Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics

Antonio Malito Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Nurse Leader Rounding Effect on Nursing Satisfaction

Sean Patrick Dent Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Does the Inclusion of a Simulation Lab Experience Improve the Confidence Level of New Advanced Practice Providers?

Julia Paronish-Ludwig Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Urgent Care

Kary A. Fiore Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Implementation of LifeSustaining Treatment Conversation Toolkit Angel Gressel Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Clinician Education on Medisafe, a Mobile Medication Application Tool to Improve Medication Adherence in Adult Psychiatric Patients Trysha A. Hopkins Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Cardiovascular Disease Specific Educational Videos: A Quality Improvement Project Andrew James Leslie Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Appropriate Modifications to the Primary Care Medical Home Model for Subpopulations

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Kelly Grace Sakoian Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Transformation of Outpatient APRN Job Appraisal to a Peer Review System Shannon Marie Scully Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: New Nursing Faculty Orientation utilizing an Online Learning Management System Jan N. Ward Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Standardized Education for Veterans with Electronic Devices in Preparation for Virtual Health Care Rachel A. Wolfe Nursing Practice Doctoral Capstone Project: Interprofessional Differential Diagnosis Simulation Focusing on Anesthesia Patient Safety in the Operating Room

GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

Summa cum Laude

‡

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES College of Engineering and Business *

Cum Laude

Magna cum Laude

†

‡

Summa cum Laude

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering Samantha Louise Moretti†

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Zaid Al Bashiti Ahmed Alawami Bader Fahad Alharbi Duaa Hassan Alhubayshi† Asla Alkhafaji Reem Hussain Alkhazal† Fatimah Mubarak Almujbel* Sultan Alsaiari

Cameron Anderson Joshua Benish Dillon Eric Brauser Faisal Khaled Bu Sabit† Nicholas Carneval‡ Jacob Dunlop Courtney Hime† Jacob Daniel Lipinski

John Lupo, Jr.* Nadya Makay‡ Madison Mann Tristan James Proctor Jacob Roberts Yuki Takano*

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Michael David Bender

Olivia Graham‡

Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering Amani Ashraf Ibrahim*

Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Grishma Dangol

Angel Enrique Martinez Barahona

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Samantha Louise Moretti†

GRADUATE STUDIES Master of Business Administration Courtney Lane Brumagin Sarah Elizabeth Kooker James Martin

Kelly C. Miller Merin Poulose Erika A. Ramalho

David J. Ress Stacy Ress Erin Leigh Young

Master of Healthcare Administration Rajani Chengala Meghan Gump

Shanudi Herath Katelynn Schooley

Master of Science in Computer and Information Science Paul Gyasi Asamoah Oghenemaiga Elebe Joshi Praneeth Gandham Harsh K. Kathiriya

Kranthi Kumar Kotagiri Vraj S. Patel Jay Shah Harika Sugnanam

Muhammad Usman Vishwanth Vodnal

GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

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Master of Science in Electrical Engineering Abdulaziz M. Alshareef Keerthi Katharaki Hatti

Krunal Mahendrabhai Patel Dharak G. Shah

Master of Science in Embedded Software Engineering Pravalika Reddy Anumandla

Ripalben Balkrushna Patel

Master of Science in Engineering Management Abdulaziz M. Alshareef

Jash Masrani

Master of Science in Environmental Health and Engineering Lauren E. McMillan

Master of Science in Environmental Science and Management Meg Toy

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Christian Rome Foltyn

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Paul Anthony Montagna

Talha Sodagar

GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences *

Cum Laude

Magna cum Laude

†

‡

Summa cum Laude

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Bachelor of Arts Qusai Abdel Wahab Ghofran Faisal Aljuhani† Owen D. Balas‡ Rachel Nicole Bessetti† Maria Borst‡ Brady Jacob Bowling Zaakiyah Boyd* Nolan Christian Brough Bradford Crislip Maria Fernandez Robert Fox‡ Maxwell Stephen Fulmer†

Makenzie Alyssia Garasich† Olivia Summer Hahner Prakriti Hamal Angela Ignasiak Chloe May Kernan‡ Karis Lee Kosobucki Jacob M. Landini* Donald Lavarge† John Andrew MacKenzie Nicolas Marsico† Jack Matthews George L. Meucci III

Cameron Jacob Page Calley Palicia Antonette Paterniti Bianca Phillips Karen Lizbeth Reyes Timothy J. Romanski, Jr. Gabriela Maria Romero Gutierrez Jenna Scherpf Amela Skaljic Randall William Sutter† Ryan Elijah Vessels Faith Marie Wilson†

Alexis Nicole Rodriguez

Daulton C. Sherwin*

Bachelor of Science Olivia Summer Hahner

GRADUATE STUDIES Master of Arts Lee Hunter

Campbell Ruh

Master of Education Sarah B. Dwyer Miles Edmiston Erika Nicole Fix Sean Fleming Carley Fox

Darin J. Gagliano Kathryn Elizabeth Holtzer Bridget Kaufman Jennifer Elizabeth Kohut Elizabeth Kolodziejczak-Sanner

Heather A. Riley Brittany Lynn Winkowski Arlan Joseph Zelenky

Master of Public Administration Abdullah Alghamdi

Lauren Rinderle

Master of Science Emma Joyce Culbertson Rachel N. Reynolds

Heather Nicole Vommoro Cori M. Wendel

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CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Morosky College of Health Professions and Sciences Cum Laude

*

UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES Bachelor of Science Mara Bestram Ashley Marie Beyers† Shanann Elizabeth Cantando Amanda Drew Emily Hollenbeck Elizabeth Anne Ketner*

Kylie Christine Levan Aaron Lewis Abdullah Ali Mathmi* Megan Lee McClelland Connor John McLaughlin Natalie Ann Miller

Kianna Nichole Mullen Aubree Lynn Nolan† Morgan Violet Sala Valerie Emrika Shaffer Jenna Silzle Ilyaz Veysalov

Megan Gregory Madeline Elizabeth Gresco Hannah Hays Carly McWilliams

Eryn N. Menosky Abigail C. Russ

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Brooke A. Blondale Michaela Cidor Cristina C. Dela Cruz-Magno Yosseline B. Eisenbaum

GRADUATE STUDIES Master of Science Tara Marie McVicker

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GANNON UNIVERSITY | COMMENCEMENT 2021

Magna cum Laude

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Summa cum Laude

‡

Honors Program Graduates Honors Scholars These students fulfilled the requirements for recognition as Honors Scholars: having completed a minimum of 24 Honors credits, maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25, compiled a portfolio, and participated significantly in extra-curricular and service activities.

Robert Fox‡

Maxwell Stephen Fulmer†

Chloe May Kernan‡

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.

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.

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