MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Penn State Harrisburg has selected six graduates to represent each academic school and graduate studies as student marshals for spring 2021.

Student marshals were selected based on their GPAs from among students eligible to graduate. Other criteria considered included engagement with the academic school and the college, involvement in research and leadership activities, and faculty recommendations.

Penn State Harrisburg will hold in-person spring 2021 commencement ceremonies May 6 and 7. The marshals will be recognized at their respective ceremony.

Spring 2021 student marshals include:

Behavioral Sciences and Education: Morgan Mayers (Biglerville, Pennsylvania), bachelor of science in kinesiology

Mayers’ journey at Penn State Harrisburg includes high academic achievements as well as involvement in research, volunteering and campus clubs. Mayers is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and has been on the dean’s list. She has experience in two kinesiology laboratories at the college. In the Sports Psychology Research Lab, she worked with Candace M. Hogue, assistant professor of kinesiology, on research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise. Mayers also is collaborating with R. Tyler Richardson, assistant professor of kinesiology, in the Biomechanics Laboratory, to prepare a research proposal on glenohumeral (shoulder joint) mechanics during baseball pitching. She is currently interning as a physical therapy technician and plans to continue this position until she enters graduate school in the fall.

Mayers is a member of the Penn State Harrisburg Kinesiology Club and a member of the Love Your Melon Club, which supports children battling cancer. She has always been passionate about the study of human movement and has an interest in the promotion of health and well-being. Mayers has been accepted into Shenandoah University where she will study to become a doctor of physical therapy.

Business Administration: Alexander Harry (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania), bachelor of science in security and risk analysis, information and cyber security option

Harry began his academic career at Penn State Harrisburg as a transfer student from Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) in fall 2018. During his time at HACC he kindled an interest in information/cyber security, which led him to pursue a security and risk analysis degree with the information and cyber security option at Penn State Harrisburg. Harry is a member of the Cyber Lions Club. While at Penn State Harrisburg, he earned the President’s Freshman Award and has been on the dean’s list. He plans to find employment within the information/cyber security marketplace, with a focus on privacy compliance.

Humanities: Tunde Oduwaiye (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), bachelor of arts in communications

In addition to being an academic leader, Oduwaiye has also been a leader in co-curricular activities. Before enrolling at Penn State Harrisburg, she served as the vice president of the African Student Association at the University Park campus, as well as the pageant director for the Miss Africa PSU pageant. Oduwaiye has been employed at the Pennsylvania Higher Assistance Agency for 10 years, providing customer service training to new-hire employees and currently assists federal student-loan borrowers on successful repayment options. In addition to her academic success, she also started her own photo booth business to help others celebrate their achievements and special occasions. Following graduation, Oduwaiye plans to pursue a master of business administration degree and begin a career in learning and development.

Public Affairs: Kathryn Rose Compton (Winchester, Virginia), bachelor of science in public policy

Compton attended Lord Fairfax Community College before studying at Penn State Harrisburg. Through completing a rigorous dual enrollment program, she was able to earn her associate’s degree in general studies prior to graduating from high school and received the Virginia Governor’s Seal of Achievement for completing the Early College Scholars Program. She was also on that college’s President’s List every semester and graduated summa cum laude. During her time at Penn State Harrisburg, Compton has maintained her commitment to her education; she made the dean’s list every semester and was awarded the President’s Freshman Award. Additionally, Compton is an inducted member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and earned the Foundations of Leadership Certification. She also contributed to her community through volunteering with university clubs and has spent her time tutoring and mentoring her peers. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career promoting social justice through policy advocacy.

Science, Engineering, and Technology: Mariah Johnson (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania), bachelor of science in biology

During her time at Penn State, Johnson served on the executive board in the Health Sciences Club for the past three years and worked as a teaching assistant. She received several awards including S&R Ziegler Stem Scholarship, Kenig and Masako Scholarship, Outstanding Student Award, and the President’s Freshman Award. She also made the dean's list every semester. Outside of academics, Johnson said she enjoys volunteering at her local Humane Society as a dog walker and working as a research coordinator at the Briarcrest Eating Disorder Clinic for Adolescents in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Johnson is an avid writer and published a book titled “Carys” in February 2017, and she will publish her second novel in the upcoming year. She also enjoys painting and playing guitar in her spare time. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school to become a physician with a specialty in pediatric psychiatry.

Graduate Studies: Stephen Lochetto (West Chester, Pennsylvania), master of arts in American studies

Lochetto is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and has been elected as a member of the Pennsylvania state chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. He has succeeded as a graduate student while balancing employment at Delaware County Community College as an assistant professor teaching human anatomy.  Lochetto came to Penn State Harrisburg to integrate his background in biology with folklore to employ an interdisciplinary approach to science. He holds a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Miami and a master of science in biology from Villanova University. He is a member of the American Folklore Society (AFS) and will serve on a panel for the 2021 national AFS meeting in Harrisburg. He presented a paper at the OSU/IU Graduate Student Conference in folklore; his thesis is an ethnographic study of 4-H animal projects in Lancaster County. He credits Penn State with allowing him to learn more about folklore after first becoming interested through a chance encounter at an Ohio county fair. Outside of academics, he is working on developing an app for pet keepers and developing a media channel to promote engagement of youth with pets, especially reptiles.