MCKEESPORT, Pa. – Close to 400 proud and enthusiastic individuals populated the Wunderley Gymnasium at Penn State Greater Allegheny on May 7 to celebrate 35 students who earned their Penn State degrees.  Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Jacqueline Edmondson presided over the commencement ceremony.

Namy-Paul Kihonia Makiese, who earned a degree in Information Sciences and Technology, served as the student speaker.  Originally from the Republic of Congo, Makiese was a Pittsburgh Promise scholar, graduating from Taylor Allderdice High School before enrolling at Greater Allegheny in Fall 2018. 

Makiese acknowledge the hard work the Class of 2022 put in to finish their degrees.  He challenged his fellow graduates to consider how they could make things better in society and change the world. 

“Our generation must stand against injustice and inequality in our society,” said Makiese. “I want you to know that changing the world also means putting a smile on someone’s face with the little things you do. Whatever you end up doing professionally, make sure you change the world on every occasion you get.”    

The Spring 2022 Greater Allegheny graduates who will change the world with their Penn State degrees are: 

Bachelor of Arts in Administration of Justice — Eladia S. Kennedy, Shiphra Alea Scales

Bachelor of Arts in Communications — Austin Mossellem, James Plez Jr.

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice — Bobur Rakhmatullaev

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology — Stephen Theodore Bodnar, Shaelin D. Gallaher, Bobur Rakmatullaev

Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice — Riley Claire McCallister

Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Health — Matthew A. Givler

Bachelor of Science in Business — Nicholas Anthony Algeri, Taylor Coccia, Carolinn Costa, Nicole J. Covelli, Francesca Georgianna Eremic, Matthew A. Holmes, Min Kyu Kim, Davin J. Manfredi, Ashar Wasim, Morgan Williams

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice — Rachael Nicole Palmer

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations — Jacob Bradley Englert

Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology — Ethan Robert Assenti, Gyanendra Dahal, Namy-Paul Kihonia Makiese

Bachelor of Science in Project and Supply Chain Management — Nathaniel John Fritch, Nader N. Gerges

Bachelor of Science in Psychology — Zachary Bainey, Lorin M. Ballog, Shaden Gonzalez, Alexa Yvonne Kent, Nathanielle Louis, Rebecca Anne McCallister, Cara Elizabeth Nassida, Meaghan Elizabeth Shaffer

Also participating in Saturday’s ceremony were Zachary Stephen Rosen, recipient of a master of management degree in strategic management and executive leadership, and Erin M. Morton, recipient of a master of professional studies degree in human resources and employment relations. 

Assistant Chief Academic Officer and Teaching Professor of English James Jaap 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, Zachary Bainey, Nicole J. Covelli, Shaden Gonzalez, Min Kyu Kim, Rebecca Anne McCallister, and Bobur Rakhmatullaev.

To view clips of our Spring 2022 Commencement Ceremony, visit Penn State Greater Allegheny’s YouTube page. To watch the entire ceremony, visit this link.