Commencement 2023 (Twenty-Eighth Graduating Class)

Nestled in the Allegheny Highlands is our home. Integrity and excellence, these values here are grown. Education, our foundation, answering the call. Service to communities, opportunity for all! Fellow scholars, new found friends, we Black Bears roar and sing. Gathered here in harmony and echoed from the peak –Penn Highlands, hail to thee!

ALMA MATER

COMMENCEMENT

TWENTY-EIGHTH GRADUATING CLASS

MAY 12, 2023

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College provides its students with affordable opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their work, in their day-to-day lives, and in their pursuit of life-long learning in a supportive, student-oriented environment.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT: DR. STEVEN NUNEZ

To the Class of 2023, family, and friends, welcome to the twenty-eighth commencement exercises for Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.

We collectively stand proud as we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates. We recognize the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice it took to complete their education.

It is notable that the word “commencement” means “beginning”, and not “ending.” It is why so many commencement speeches include phrases like “this is only the beginning of your journey” or “this is the beginning of an exciting, challenging, and rewarding phase of your life.” Education should be about a means to an end, not the end. And as such, we celebrate your new beginning.

Graduates, I hope that you understand that this is not the end of your education - you will be reinventing yourself throughout your life and it is my hope that you will never stop the love of learning. Perhaps you will earn a more advanced degree – or maybe you will partake in additional on the job training – or maybe you will take music lessons to learn to play the guitar. Education is more than just training for a profession – it can bring enjoyment, color, and texture to your life. I am proud that Pennsylvania Highlands served you during this time in your life.

With humble beginnings over 25 years ago, Pennsylvania Highlands has made lasting impressions on the surrounding communities. It is due to the tireless work of many that this place stands on firm ground today.

We must thank the Cambria County Commissioners for believing in the transformative power of education and how a highly educated and trained workforce is vital for the community. We must thank current and former members of the Board of Trustees for their commitment to an institution that literally had to be grown from the first employee up. We must thank the selfless volunteers of the Pennsylvania Highlands Foundation Board of Directors who help raise money to support our students and this College. Certainly, we have much gratitude to the College’s faculty and staff who have taught, mentored, encouraged, and cared for our students these past years. Thanks to all of you for your contributions to, and belief in, this great institution.

As the fifth president of Pennsylvania Highlands, I recognize what it took for each of you to make this institution what it is today. Thank you.

On a final note, I look forward to the coming years, with anticipation, to hearing stories of success beyond Pennsylvania Highlands.

Enjoy your time. Congratulations again, graduates.

Dr. Steven Nunez President, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Adrianna Farrell is a 2021 graduate of Northern Cambria Senior High School. Adrianna is the daughter of Daniel and Debra Farrell. While attending high school, she was the Vice President of Student Council all four years, was a member of Remembering Adam and the National Honor Society, and participated in cross country, golf, and track.

As a student at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Adrianna was an active member within several organizations and groups. Adrianna served as the Student Senate President and was the Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, the world’s largest and most prestigious honor society for two-year college students. Adrianna also established herself as a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) and the Ebensburg Activities Club. Recently, Adrianna has been named to the All- PA Transfer Team and has been named a Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar.

Adrianna has devoted countless hours of her time volunteering at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College events, such as Open Houses and New Student Orientation. Adrianna organized a Major League Baseball® Jr. Home Run Derby™ Competition and basket raffle to raise money for Maverick’s Mission. As the Student Senate President, Adrianna was the Student Trustee and served on the Academic Affairs/Student Services Committee. Adrianna actively participated as a member of the Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Board of Trustees.

After graduating from Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Adrianna intends to continue her education in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She will focus her studies in the area of Early Childhood – Special Education.

WELCOME

Dr. Barbara Zaborowski

Dean of Library Services and Special Projects

PROCESSIONAL

Music performed by Eloise Romano

“Pomp and Circumstance” Marches Op. 39 No. 1, Elgar

COLLEGE MARSHAL AND MACE BEARER

Joe Slifko

President of Faculty Senate

Professor, Business Management

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS AND PLATFORM PARTY

Dr. Steven Nunez

President

GREETINGS

Thomas Chernisky

President Commissioner Cambria County Commissioners

Greg Winger

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

Joe Slifko

President of Faculty Senate

Professor, Business Management

INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Dr. Steven Nunez

President

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER

Adrianna Farrell

President of Student Senate

Member of the Graduating Class

PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES

Dr. Cynthia Doherty

Vice President of Academic Affairs

CONFERRAL OF DEGREES

Dr. Steven Nunez

President

CLOSING REMARKS

Dr. Barbara Zaborowski

Dean of Library Services and Special Projects

ALMA MATER RECESSIONAL

Music performed by Eloise Romano

Symphony No. 9, Finale: Ode to Joy, Beethoven

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE (CONTINUED)

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE (CONTINUED)

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE (CONTINUED)

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE (CONTINUED)

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE (CONTINUED)

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE

CERTIFICATE

GRADUATING CLASS OF 2023

CERTIFICATE (CONTINUED)

LEGEND (HONORS BASED ON FALL 2022 GPA)

ACADEMIC REGALIA

The academic attire worn by platform guests and participants comes from a tradition beginning in medieval Europe. At times when the general type of clothing worn was the robe or gown, colors and materials showed individual rank or wealth. As trades, professions, guilds, and universities developed, distinctive variations came about to identify affiliations.

Universities gradually modified the gowns, capes, hoods, and caps into distinctive forms that would identify levels of academic achievement. In the 1890s, American colleges and universities agreed upon a somewhat uniform application of the academic regalia. Typically, scholars with a Bachelor’s Degree wear the unadorned black robe. Those with a Master’s Degree wear a hood lined with the colors of their college and trimmed with the color specifying their academic discipline area. The Doctoral Degree robe adds three velvet bars on each sleeve. The doctoral hood is more ornate.

Faculty and staff members wear the traditional attire of the college or university that conferred their degree.

THE MACE

Once a weapon in medieval combat, the mace evolved over time into a symbol of rulership and became associated with the pride of a nation and its origins. Later, the mace was adopted by universities as a symbol of the power of the academic quest for truth and wisdom. It is carried at academic processions not only to bring authority to ceremonial occasions but also to symbolize the unity and aspirations of the College community.

COLLEGE MEDALLION

The President of a college during academic ceremonies wears the College Medallion as a symbol of the leadership responsibilities vested in that office. The medallion is circular in form and includes the name of the College enclosing the shield of the College. The graceful, unbroken lines of the circle represent the unending process of education.

ACCREDITATION

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-662-5606. The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency, which is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on recognition of Post-secondary Accreditation.

COLLEGE COMMUNITY LEADERS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Greg Winger, Chairperson

Dr. Janet Grady, Vice Chairperson

Carl DeYulis, Secretary/Treasurer

James Foreman, Public Relations Officer

Edwin Bowser, At-Large Officer

John Augustine, II

Alan Cashaw

Tyson Cook

James Foster

Carissa Itle Westrick

Jacqueline Kulback

Marc McCall

Mike Puruczky

Dr. Leah Spangler

Linda Thomson

Adrianna Farrell, Student Trustee 2022-2023

FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeffrey Wood, President

David Mordan, Vice President

Mike Lynch, Treasurer

Ed Porada, Secretary

Mike Artim

Nancy D’Aniello

Ellis Griffith

John Kubinsky

Tim Leventry

Traci Naugle

John Polacek

Doug Puchko

Roberta Ream

Edwin Bowser (ex-officio)

James Foreman (ex-officio)

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Dr. Steven Nunez, President

Trish Corle, Vice President of Student Services

Dr. Cynthia Doherty, Vice President of Academic Affairs

Gary Boast, Associate Vice President of Technology & Analytics

Susan Fisher, Associate Vice President of Administration

Chris Pribulsky, Associate Vice President of Finance

Dr. Barbara Zaborowski, Dean of Library Services and Special Projects

Beth Freedline, Executive Assistant to the President & Foundation

A MESSAGE FROM THE

The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Foundation Board of Directors extends our warmest congratulations to each and every one of you. Today marks a momentous occasion.

As you celebrate this milestone, we invite you to reflect on the role that the College Foundation has played. Our mission is to provide support for the College and its students through scholarships and other initiatives.

Nonetheless, the College Foundation is more than just a source of funding. We are a community of individuals who believe in the transformative power of education, and we are committed to helping our students achieve their dreams.

As you move forward into the next phase of your lives, we encourage you to stay connected. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply sharing your experiences with others, you have the power to make a difference in the lives of future students.

Above all, your hard work, dedication, and perseverance are testaments to your resilience and commitment to excellence. We are honored to have been a part of your journey.

WWW.PENNHIGHLANDS.EDU/FOUNDATION