MCKEESPORT, Pa. — More than 300 proud and enthusiastic individuals were on hand May 4 as Penn State Greater Allegheny presented degrees to August and December 2023 and May 2024 graduates. Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Megan Nagel presided over the commencement ceremony.

Korrine Lee McCutcheon, who earned a degree in biobehavioral health, served as the student speaker. McCutcheon credited her mom for carving the path that brought her to Greater Allegheny and recognized individuals and departments on campus who sustained her and made her feel that she belonged on campus.

She invited fellow classmates to think of the path pavers in their lives.

“I want you to remember the people who made a path for you at Penn State Greater Allegheny,” McCutcheon said. “How can you lead by example and carve paths for others in your next steps?”

Penn State alumnus Josiah Gilliam, executive director for PUMP, Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project, served as the commencement speaker. In her introduction of Gilliam, Nagel pointed to the parallels between Greater Allegheny and PUMP’s mission statements. Each works to bring meaningful change to the communities they serve. In his remarks, Gilliam called graduates to embrace joyful labors as they work to create a better tomorrow.

Gilliam recounted the work of Pittsburgh photographer Charles Teenie Harris. “Teenie was a pioneer in the new art of photography, and he followed his interest into a powerful legacy,” said Gilliam.

He mentioned Harris as a challenge to the graduates, calling on them to honor their interests and use the tools of this time in innovative, creative and impactful ways and to appreciate and engage with issues in the world to find and create meaning.

“Please do consider Pennsylvania, Western Pennsylvania, Allegheny County and Pittsburgh as a place to live, work, grow, play and thrive,” said Gilliam. “Please believe me when I tell you this is a place where you can change your local community and change the world. There are over 50,000 Penn State alumni in Allegheny County, and if you ask me, we could use some more.”

The Greater Allegheny graduates include: 

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice – Brendan Condon

Bachelor of Arts in Communications – Mariah Greene, Melanie Kawai McGinnis

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Hailey Amanda Cote, Genevieve Ann Gralewski, Natalie Marie Heltebran, Samuel T. Janicki, Madison Taylor

Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health –Tara Barnes, Randy M. Berroa, Sarah J. Bontrager, Mark Carroll Jr., Cristhina Rashel Vinan Guaman, Kourtney Kelly, Theresa Lanciano, Marena Rae Mathe, Korrine Lee McCutcheon, Olivia Moore, Daruka A. Nyuon, Kennedy Brianne Pikula, Maura Ryan

Bachelor of Science in Business – Paige Mara Butko, Ethan Paul Cole, Xavier Gene Davis, Ryan Anthony Gaydos, Cameron George, Casey Oliver, Justin Scheibner, Giovanni Marco Scott, Severn Alvah Squibb, Cody J. Tworek, De’Neisha P. Williams

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Brandie R. Fertig, Alexandra Martell, Jaylin Wescott

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations – Mitchell Fasiczka, Joan Young

Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Nabin Dhaurali, Aayushi Purvin Gandhi, Ryan Anthony Gaydos, Suphansa Htway, Michael Brian Marks, Bibeka Nanda Regmi, Mohamed N. Swahel

Bachelor of Science in Project and Supply Chain Management – Keeghan Gregory Murray, Michael James Ryan, Brian Michael Woods

Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Josephine James Cunningham, Bella Taylor Daluz, Jacob Edward Ghetian, Jeremy David Martin, Kilian Schilling, Dejuan Michael Stokes, Leah Marie Weimerskirch

Bachelor of Science in Recreation Parks and Tourism Management – Tyshyre T.D. Malachi

Also participating in Saturday’s ceremony was Evelyn Siler. Siler started her academic career at Penn State Greater Allegheny, moving to University Park in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences to complete a Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering.

Associate Chief Academic Officer and Associate Professor of Physics, Beth Lindsey presented the Penn State Greater Allegheny Academic Excellence Awards to the graduating seniors who achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.6 or higher and completed at least 36 credits at the campus.

Receiving the award were Paige Mara Butko, Hailey Amanda Cote, Aayushi Purvin Gandhi, Maraih Greene, Cristhina Rashel Guaman Vinan, Suphansa Htway, Theresa Lanciano, Kennedy Brianne Pikula, Giovanni Marco Scott, Evelyn Siler, Madison Taylor, Jaylin Scott, Joan Young.

To watch a replay of the Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony, visit Greater Allegheny’s photo and video gallery.