Commencement Program 2021

CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE 139TH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT

A Virtual Event Saturday, June Twelfth, Two Thousand Twenty One

Mission Statement

Central Penn College’s mission is to open opportunities to students from a variety of academic backgrounds by providing the education needed for employment and advancement in their fields.

Central Penn College Alma Mater

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Program Welcome and Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, President National Anthem Conferring of Honorary Degree. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Krista Wolfe, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Introduction of Speaker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Krista Wolfe

Commencement Address Kristal Turner-Childs Recognition of Valedictorian and Salutatorian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Lipschutz, Dean, School of Business and Professional Studies Special Recognitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jared Rife, Dean of Humanities Todd A. Milano Faculty Excellence Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anne Bizup, Dean, School of Health Sciences Conferring of Degrees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Krista Wolfe Student Government Association Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle Donaghy, 2021 Student Government Association President Congratulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randy Weir, ‘76, Alumni Council President Alma Mater

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Commencement Speaker

Kristal Turner-Childs, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Staff, Pennsylvania State Police Kristal Turner-Childs is a brilliant, bold and brave leader in the Pennsylvania State Police. She currently serves as the first African American female Acting Deputy Commissioner of Staff of the Pennsylvania State Police. She has also distinguished herself during her 23 years of law enforcement experience as the first African American female to command a troop, and the second African American female to obtain the rank of Major in the 116-year history of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Kristal Turner-Childs earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Elizabethtown College and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Central Penn College. She also is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.

Kristal is the owner of FEMPOWERED LLC. FEMPOWERED empowers you to take charge of your physical health, mental and spiritual health. This goal is achieved by offering workshops on self-esteem, goal setting, healthy relationships and healthy lifestyles. As a certified fitness trainer, Kristal provides purpose-driven motivation that enhances self-esteem, healthy lifestyles and goal achievement. Kristal has a passion for building self-esteem from the inside out. Having lost over 100 lbs., she knows what it means to live a lifestyle of “passion with purpose!” A motivational speaker and community health advocate; Kristal walks the walk and talks the talk.

She is the recipient of numerous awards, which include the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC Athena Award, NCBW Trailblazer Award, and the Greater Harrisburg YWCA Woman of Excellence Award.

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Attendance at the College’s Commencement is voluntary. This program, therefore, lists the names of all of those eligible to participate in this Commencement, not just those attending the ceremony.

Because the printing of this program was done in many cases before the final certification of grades, the graduation honors herein are tentative and based on the cumulative grade point average after conclusion of the student’s last term. Final honors for graduates will be computed after final grade point averages have been calculated. Thus the appearance of a name in this program is not necessarily a valid indication of graduation or of honors. The diploma of the College and an official transcript provide authentic testimony to the conferring of a degree.

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE IN MEDICAL ASSISTING Alexandra Pfautz Summa Cum Laude Janet Lincoln Jenna Wieder Michelle Surynt Randi Parker Samantha Permenter Magna Cum Laude Sara Kosco Sharima Rodriguez Summa Cum Laude Tiffani Hossler

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT Allison Anderson Summa Cum Laude Amanda Ellenberger Ashley Schwalm Summa Cum Laude Caitlin Dreese Summa Cum Laude Cara Kegerreis Casey Bender Cum Laude Cecilia Lua Magna Cum Laude Emily Rothfus Ericka N. Morgan 6

Fawn Fix Summa Cum Laude Hailey L. Swartz Summa Cum Laude Haley Garber Jaime L. Yoder Summa Cum Laude Kaelen N. Grater Kaitlyn Aukamp Kimberly A. Hess Magna Cum Laude Kristin R. Henderson Makaela Anderson Margaret L. Niland Magna Cum Laude Megan N. Pressler Magna Cum Laude Regina Kimmel Sara K. Holtz Shannon Keller Shawna Buckwalter Magna Cum Laude Sydney Adkins Summa Cum Laude Tiffany Slonaker Magna Cum Laude Victoria L. Livezey

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT Adam O’Donnell Albert Heefner Amanda J. Ruschak Antonio DiMarco

Ashlyn C. Bornman Brady Lloyd Brandon Lander Magna Cum Laude Briana Drapp Brittanie L. Silk Cum Laude Brittany Rachau Brittany Weaver Caitlyn Petro Christian P. Klinger Summa Cum Laude Christine M. Cathrall Magna Cum Laude Cole D. Roberts Summa Cum Laude Daniel Fabrizio Danielle E. Gleim Summa Cum Laude Danielle N. DeHoyos Summa Cum Laude David To Domonique ThomasMcClurkin Donna L. Wagner Summa Cum Laude Emily M. Brocht Summa Cum Laude Erica S. Romberger Fox Miller Cum Laude Holly Willing Magna Cum Laude Hunter Wray Jared N. Clark John Drop Justin Hammerstone Kasey L. Wire Kathryn Ederati Kaylee Hunter Summa Cum Laude Kaylyn Rosado Summa Cum Laude Kodi M. Haymes Summa Cum Laude

Kristopher P. Davis Kyle S. Neal Laura Bonanni Lauren M. Leshko Leigh A. Heisey Lindsay Humes Lisa Moore Margaux R. Large Summa Cum Laude Mariana Drot de Gourville Marissa A. Rabold Cum Laude Marissa A. Sempeles Magna Cum Laude Mark Rich Matthew Mangus Meghan Ramos Melissa Potts Mellisa Chase Summa Cum Laude Molly Holden Summa Cum Laude Nathaniel Randazzo Cum Laude Nicholas McCarty Cum Laude Nicholas W. McBurnett Patrick D. Navin Peyton R. Poletti Rachel L. Loboda Ray A. Duzan Samantha Goehrig Sara McCormick Sarah Heisey Shannon Dmytryszyn Shannon M. Martin Shianna Duvall Simone Golicher Stephen Paul Trevor Holderegger Trevor Kolp Vanessa Ferree-Marshall William J. Brungart Zachary J. Severs Zowie Day 7

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTING Amanda N. Stevens Yvonne M. Murray Summa Cum Laude

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN COMMUNICATIONS Daynia G. Anthony Cum Laude

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS Clayton Benyou Summa Cum Laude Ethan M. Garber James Gutshall Kevin G. Rigby Mikeal Pecot Tapash Khadka

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Ashley M. Whitcomb Magna Cum Laude Athina Mena Summa Cum Laude Daynnara Malave Keyla J. Allison Summa Cum Laude Matthew Walters Magna Cum Laude Melinda McFalls Rafelina Castro Summa Cum Laude Shelby Miller Zachary Blankenship Zachary Snyder

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ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SMALL BUSINESS Earl A. Patrick Jolina C. Lofland Renalie G. Huerto

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN MARKETING Sheila Illiano Summa Cum Laude Sumitra Subedi

ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE IN PARALEGAL Olivia H. Aungst

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, ACCOUNTING Brian C. Petkash Cierra R. DeWalt Magna Cum Laude Gage Wagner Summa Cum Laude Gregory Bricker Jennifer L. Good Summa Cum Laude Johnelle Behney Joshua M. Myers Magna Cum Laude Kinsey S. Gassaway Nick Underkoffler Summa Cum Laude Pamela Mangol Parker Rose Summa Cum Laude Ryan C. Wary Magna Cum Laude Samuel Anyona

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Alicia Coates Summa Cum Laude Andrea M. Fields Magna Cum Laude Andrew M. Rohland Summa Cum Laude Angela M. Whiteford Summa Cum Laude Ashley Dent Ashley N. Gordon Ashley Snyder Summa Cum Laude Brandon Woodrow Summa Cum Laude Brenda Clouser Brian Walsh Summa Cum Laude Brittany Beck Magna Cum Laude Brittany L. Gruver Magna Cum Laude Carolyn Boone Magna Cum Laude Cierra R. DeWalt Magna Cum Laude Daniel A. Amparo-Diaz Daniel J. Malloy Jr. Summa Cum Laude David S. Squire Magna Cum Laude Derek Danko Emily Everhart Summa Cum Laude Emily Ranck Magna Cum Laude Erica Wilkins Magna Cum Laude Garrett Shover Magna Cum Laude Hakeem H. Carter

Heather D. Green Magna Cum Laude Heather L. Ashkenes Hillary A. Foster Jarell L. Edwards Cum Laude Javonte A. Johnson Jeilyn Peguero Summa Cum Laude Jenna M. McMullen Jennifer L. Pierce Summa Cum Laude Jillian P. Barrett Joseph Fittipaldi Cum Laude Kathleen L. Martin Summa Cum Laude Kiersten Sanders Latrice Prince-Devine Summa Cum Laude Lorie A. Maschmeyer Summa Cum Laude Lucas Forte Cum Laude Meghan L. Blumenschein Magna Cum Laude Meta E. Sutton Summa Cum Laude Michael W. Mason Magna Cum Laude Mina Youssef Nasheed Green Nathan Cool Summa Cum Laude Paige Benfer Rebecca K. Wenrich Summa Cum Laude Rebecca L. Wennick Cum Laude Ronald Patterson Magna Cum Laude Roxana Guzman Magna Cum Laude Sabir Copeland 9

Samantha McCleary Sandy Robinette Summa Cum Laude Sarah Long Magna Cum Laude Semir Ibrisevic Cum Laude Shannon Iles Shelby Neumayer Shirley Fields Magna Cum Laude Sommer Perez Tami S. Swearingen Cum Laude Tracy L. White Vivian Cummings Wilfred A. Escobar Zachary Hoover Zane D. Walizer Zdravko Blagojevic

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS Angena Hageman Magna Cum Laude Christian Fulp Magna Cum Laude Jessica A. Edmondson Jose A. Cedeno Summa Cum Laude Keira White Magna Cum Laude Nash L. McComsey Quinton Heckard Quinyece Walker Rafael Mateo-Mota Summa Cum Laude Tyler R. Coleman

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION Aleena J. Griffith Summa Cum Laude Amy L. Kleman Anthony Bailey Summa Cum Laude Brianna L. Crespo Cum Laude Desiree Ebersol Gloria Vazquez Hannah M. Garber Jared Rivera JoAnna N. McFadden Joseph Sirugo La’Ray K. Robinson Summa Cum Laude Lorena Zepeda Marisol Garcia Mercedes Madara Michelle L. Partenheimer Morgan R. Rendler Nicole J. Etters Summa Cum Laude Paige G. Neuin-Stump Princess Gaye Magna Cum Laude Sarah Bell Cum Laude Shaniya N. Briley Summa Cum Laude Stephanie R. Balliet Summa Cum Laude Steven J. Paul Yamilka Toro Summa Cum Laude

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, HEALTH SCIENCE Bradley M. Oley Summa Cum Laude Jena R. Hull Summa Cum Laude Mariano Figueroa-Perez

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT Amanda Mooney Summa Cum Laude Angelo Koimene Anna M. Payonk Magna Cum Laude Ashley N. Paul Britany N. Raber Bryan Kauffman Summa Cum Laude Dustin Cassell Kaitlyn Fulgenzi Summa Cum Laude Kathleen M. Brown Summa Cum Laude Kristi Alwine Summa Cum Laude Rebecca L. DeLay Shannon Maye Stacey Rife Summa Cum Laude Tonya Myers Summa Cum Laude

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT Clayton M. Dietrich Magna Cum Laude Natalie A. Breiner Summa Cum Laude Paige Lambert Theodore Kreitz

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Ahmad Zafar Ashley P. Miller Magna Cum Laude Austin C. Smith Brandon Lepley Caitlin Ditzler Magna Cum Laude Frederick Bahr Hari Dhungel Ian Lukens Jennifer L. Davis-Brandt Jessica Bosserman Magna Cum Laude Joshua Betts Kayleigh Bangert Kirolles Labib Magna Cum Laude Mahliet Nigatu Matthew McLaughlin Magna Cum Laude Michael D. Harmon Summa Cum Laude Patrick Hayes Ralph Latchford Magna Cum Laude William M. Magargle Magna Cum Laude

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BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, LEGAL STUDIES

CERTIFICATE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

Amanda L. Shaw Brandon A. Mowery Brooke J. Sexton Genesis E. Gonzalez Izera Marshall James D. Nelson Jeremy Horn Summa Cum Laude Jodi M. Brown Katrina M. Montgomery Lydia Muckenfuss Mary E. Byrd Magna Cum Laude Michelle McGroary Magna Cum Laude Quinn DeVage Salina Davenport Magna Cum Laude

Michael Silvis

MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL, STUDIES, ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP Jamie L. Irwin Kapil B. Pun Magna Cum Laude Michael Harbaugh Miguel Arredondo Cum Laude Montez T. Lacy Cum Laude Morgan A. Wylie Robert Diaz Sean P. Bolton Summa Cum Laude Tia Kitner Cum Laude Wesley W. Robinson

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CERTIFICATE OF PHLEBOTOMY TECHNICIAN Akisha M. Rodriguez Alexandra Pfautz Magna Cum Laude Catherine Rivera Summa Cum Laude Danielle L. Powell Kayla Browning Melissa Asencio Samantha Permenter Tabitha Dougherty Valerie J. Coleman-Frantz

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Congratulations,

GRADUATES Welcome

New Alumni Members!

You did it! We can’t wait to hear what you’ll conquer next.

Seriously, let us know at letusknow@centralpenn.edu.

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Honors for Veterans Congratulations to all of the servicemen, servicewomen and veterans who are walking in the ceremony tonight. Veterans are identifiable by the red, white and blue cords they wear.

Philanthropy Honors Graduating students who made a $20.21 class year donation to the Central Penn College Education Foundation or faculty and staff members who made a contributing donation are identifiable by the maroon and white “CPC True Cords” they wear.

Gamma Beta Phi Society The Gamma Beta Phi Society is a national honors society dedicated to recognizing academic excellence and fostering social awareness. Membership is by invitation only based on the student’s GPA, and each student is required to participate in community service projects.

Members of the Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society are identifiable by the gold stole with Gamma Beta Phi insignia or the black and gold cords they wear.

Students in the Society are required to maintain a 3.0 or better GPA and complete community service projects.

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Graduation With Honors Degree recipients with outstanding scholastic records are graduated with academic honors. This is the highest academic honor that a student may earn in completing the Bachelor of Science degree, Associate in Science degree, Associate in Applied Science degree or certificate program at Central Penn College. To qualify for this honor, a student must have a cumulative grade point average as follows:

3.80-4.00 3.60-3.79 3.50-3.59

Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors) Magna Cum Laude (with high honors) Cum Laude (with honors)

The grade point averages are calculated for work completed at Central Penn College. Since the academic honors are compiled before all grades are submitted, those whose final records raise them into a higher category will be so designated on their degrees and transcripts. If the grades fall below academic honors, the designation will be altered downward.

The Salutatorian is identifiable by a yellow neck ribbon and Salutatorian medallion.

The Valedictorian is identifiable by a blue neck ribbon and Valedictorian medallion.

Students who earned Summa Cum Laude are identifiable by a gold neck ribbon and Summa Cum Laude medallion.

Students who earned Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude are identifiable by a gold stole.

Students who successfully completed the Honors Studies class are identifiable by a gold neck ribbon and Honors medallion.

Student who were officers of the Student Government Association are identifiable by a maroon neck ribbon and SGA medallion.

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Board of Directors Robert E. Kelly, Jr., Chair Duane Greenly, Co-Vice Chair Dwight Utz, Co-Vice Chair Veronica Morrison, Board Secretary Peter Garland Brian Gibson Eugene Kostelac Leland Nelson Michael W. Schmid Carol W. Spigner

President Emeritus Bart A. Milano Todd A. Milano

Emeritus

Dean Emeritus Craiger C. Parker F. Dolores Yuckenberg

Professors Emeritus Elizabeth G. Bollinger Cathy D. Logan, CRI

President’s Cabinet Linda Fedrizzi-Williams, President Romeo Azondekon, Vice President of Student Services Shawn Farr, Vice President of Administration and Finance Michael Fedor, Vice President of Advancement and Strategic Initiatives Margaret Lebo, Vice President of People and Culture Susan Lynch, Director of Lancaster Center Thomas Parker, Chief Information Officer Krista Wolfe, Vice President of Academic Affairs

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Faculty SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES Anne Bizup, MSN, Dean Full-time Faculty Tolani Adebanjo, Ph.D., Health Sciences Stephen Campbell, Physical Therapist Assistant Matthew Casale, DPT, Physical Therapist Assistant Hope Devore, MOT, Occupational Therapy Assistant Lori Eberly, DPT, Physical Therapist Assistant Lucinda Hunsberger, M.S., Program Director, Allied Health Elizabeth Karns, OD, Program Director, Optometric Technician Taylor Lentz, Physical Therapist Assistant Kelly Little, Medical Assisting Nikki Marhefka, Ed.M., Program Director, Medical Assisting Kevin Otto, M.S., Allied Health Nicole Patterson, DPT, Program Director, Physical Therapist Assistant Brooklyn Reiff, Occupational Therapy Assistant Kimberly Tanish, OTD, OTR/L, Program Director, Occupational Therapy Assistant Maggie Wagner, Physical Therapist Assistant

SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SCIENCES Jared Rife, M.A., Dean Full-time Faculty Flora Armetta, Ph.D., English Thomas Davis, Jr., M.A., English Brant Ellsworth, Ph.D., Program Director, Humanities Michael Lear-Olimpi, M.J., Communications Paul Miller, M.S., Communications Amanda Stuckey, Ph.D., English

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Faculty SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Benjamin Lipschutz, MBA, M.Ed., Dean Full-time Faculty Matthew Ademola, D.B.A., Business John Contino, J.D., Criminal Justice/Homeland Security Management Robert Donley, J.D., Program Director, Legal Studies Douglas Fisher, M.S. Business Tondelaya George, Ph.D., Program Director, Business & Accounting C. Jeffrey Goble, J.D., Criminal Justice/Homeland Security Management Sandra Hillegass, Ed.D., Business William Hummel, M.A., Mathematics Joseph Oberto, M.S., CIS and IT Susan Snyder, M.S., Accounting John Springer, Ph.D., Accounting Margaret Stuski, J.D., Legal Studies Johnna Whitcraft, M.S., Program Chair, Law and Justice

SCHOOL OF CONTINUING EDUCATION Karen Hurst, M.Ed., Dean Full-time Faculty Jack Babinchak, Ph.D., Business

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Administrative Staff Ronald Amoriello, Director of Public Safety and Health Lezli Austen, Public Relations Associate Michael Bangert, Facilities Technician Kim Bateman, LMS Administrator David Banks, Residence Hall Coordinator Eileen Baylor, Enrollment Support Specialist Samantha Bise, Reference and Instruction Librarian Janet Bixler, Director of First Year Experience Sandra Box, Director of Education Foundation Kerrie Brancato, Transcript Evaluator Susan Browder-Crego, Office Assistant Kristi Castanzo, Executive Assistant to the President Joseph Caviston, Digital Communications Strategist Ashley Christenson, Assistant Director of Financial Aid Jonathan Clark, Writing Tutor Greg Colburn, Senior Communications Specialist Caitlin Copus, Director of Student Advising Jen Correll, Registrar Sarah Davidson, Director of Strategic Services Thomas Davis Jr., Grounds and Facilities Technician Amy Fetrow, Student Accounts Manager Kristin Fike, Internship Coordinator Mary Beth Fisher, Education Foundation and Alumni Support Coordinator Kelly Fox, Senior Financial Planning Coordinator Jordan Frank, Public Safety Officer Lindsay Garber, Director of Student Housing and Residence Life Carol Glass, Associate Director of Admissions Daniel Guerrisi, Student Success Coach Michael Harbold, Public Safety Officer Jamie Harmon, Student Retention Coordinator Michael Harmon, Senior Systems Administrator Valeri Hartman, IT Helpdesk Administrator Steven Hassinger, Dean of Career Services and Development Candice Henry, Admissions Counselor Kasey Hicks, Athletic Director Liane Hrivnak, Student Services Assistant Terria Hudock, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President Karen Jury, Librarian Megan Kaiser, Director of The Learning Center

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Administrative Staff Robert Karas, Public Safety Officer Donald Lewis, Admissions Counselor Amy Lloyd, Financial Aid Counselor Mark Lockley, Senior Graphic Designer Nancy Lockwood, Assistant Registrar Susan McFeaters, Admissions Counselor Julie McGill, Career Counselor Karen McLaughlin, Administrative Assistant Thomas Palmieri, Counseling Center Director Megan Peterson, Dean of Equity and Student Success Molly Pinkerton, Accounting Supervisor Krysta Porter, Financial Planning Coordinator Diane Porterfield, Library Director Jaime Ramos II, High School Outreach Coordinator Amy Reinhold, Admissions Counselor Trang Rioux, Human Resources Director Joseph Robinson, Public Safety Officer Amy Rowcliffe, High School Outreach Coordinator Asia Sargent, Admissions Counselor Lynne Seachrist, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President Lisa Seifert, Director of Recruitment Kathy Shepard, Financial Aid Director Christopher Sheriff, Assistant Director of Facilities Stephen Shoemaker, Senior Information Technology Systems Specialist Veronica Sponenberg, Senior Financial Aid Counselor Timothy Stabley, Tutor John Steindel, Financial Planning Counselor Sean Strangeway, Educational Outreach Coordinator Adrienne Thoman, Dean of Student Engagement Max Thorpe, Residence Hall Coordinator Curtis Voelker, College Relations Director Scott Vukoder, Senior Director of Admissions Michelle Waughtel-Rinier, Student Success Coach Mary Wetzel, Associate VP of Advancement & Strategic Initiatives Janice Whitcomb, Student Accounts Associate Robert Whitcomb, Facilities Director Derek Whitesel, Senior Events Planner Kevin Woolverton, Public Safety Officer

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Academic Heraldry The college or university commencement procession, in this country and abroad, is a pageant, bright with the dress and ceremony inherited from the medieval universities of the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

Academic life, as we know it, began in the Middle Ages—with Bologna and Paris, Oxford and Cambridge, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Louvain—first in church, then in the guilds. The teaching guild was the Guild of the Master Arts, where Bachelor was the apprentice of the Master and the dress was the outward sign of privilege and responsibility. The dress made visible, in color and pattern, the unity of men of like purpose.

The principal features of academic dress for this evening’s ceremony are: The Gown. The flowing gown comes from the twelfth century. Many think it was worn in olden times as protection against the cold of unheated monasteries. It has become symbolic of the democracy of scholarship, for it completely covers any dress or rank or social standing underneath. It is black for all degrees with pointed sleeves for the Associate and Bachelor’s degrees; long closed sleeves for the Master’s degree, with a slit for the arm; and round open sleeves for the Doctorate degree. For the Associate, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, the gown has no trimmings.

The Cap. When Roman law freed the slave, he won the privilege of wearing a cap. And so the academic cap is a sign of the freedom of scholarship and the responsibility and dignity with which scholarship endows the wearer. Old poetry records the cap of scholarship as square to symbolize the book, although some authorities claim that the mortar board is the symbol of the Masons, a privileged guild. The tassel is worn on the right side prior to receiving the degree and changed to the left side after receiving the degree.

The Hood. The college graduate wears a cape or hood lined with colored silk and trimmed with velvet. The color of the hood’s silk lining indicates the school that conferred the degree. The hoods, with their aesthetic brightening of the otherwise rather somber costumes and their appeal to college spirit by the display of the college’s colors, thus yield their significance during the important commencement exercises.

The Gonfalon. The gonfalon, a flag that hangs from a crosspiece or frame, originated in the medieval republics of Italy as an ensign of state or office.

Gonfalons have been adopted in many universities around the world as college or institutional insignias.

The Central Penn College gonfalon embraces the core values of the College: Integrity, Scholarship, Excellence, Professionalism, Inclusivity and Community Service. All students graduating have been reminded of these core values in various ways throughout their education. The circular design of the seal symbolizes the important role each core value plays in the continuous development of an individual once they embrace the Central Penn experience.

Also represented in the gonfalon is the Central Penn globe, symbolizing that a student’s world is opened up by the College. The students’ perception of the world, and its potential, is changed as they learn to turn their potential into career success.

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