Cedar Crest College

Degrees awarded

On May 10, the PPL Center in Allentown was filled with students, staff, faculty and supporters to celebrate the accomplishments of Cedar Crest College’s Class of 2025 at commencement. Graduates and their loved ones gathered to mark this significant milestone, celebrating the knowledge, skills and experiences gained during their time at CCC. The event highlighted the values of leadership, service and community that are integral to the college’s spirit.

Bath: Laura Roberts, occupational therapy

Coplay: Tiffany Royer, psychology

Northampton: Patricia Buskaritz, family/individual across the lifespan nurse practitioner; Sydnee Cooper, secondary education-mathematics

Walnutport: Brandi Cuth, nursing; Ashley Hildebrand, occupational therapy; Emily Ferro, Master of Education in the art of teaching

Whitehall: Devica Harnarain, social work; Mercedes Milburn, social work and a certificate in child welfare; Briane Aquila, psychology; Madelyn Chase, psychology; Vanamarie Huynh, business administration and certificates in human resources and health care management; Kjirsten Hess, psychology and a certificate in child welfare

Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the college continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women’s college and in the coed school of adult and graduate education.

Located in Allentown, Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best College Rankings as No. 13 in Social Mobility and is among the top 100 colleges and universities in the region.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Grate earns degree

Angelina Grate, of Catasauqua, was among 3,591 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during commencement exercises May 3, 17 and 18. Grate earned a Bachelor of Science in criminology and criminal justice with high distinction from the UNO college of public affairs and community service. The graduates are from 57 countries, 46 U.S. states and 250-plus Nebraska communities.

University of Scranton

Elsier, Weaver graduate

Local residents were among the more than 550 graduates who were awarded master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Scranton’s graduate commencement ceremony, held May 18 at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township. Danielle M. Elsier, of Bath, earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in physical therapy, and Kevin R. Weaver, of Walnutport, earned a Master of Business Administration degree in health care management.

Graduates received master’s degrees in numerous disciplines, as well as doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in accounting, doctor of physical therapy degrees and doctor of nursing practice degrees. Graduates must have completed their academic requirements in August and December of 2024 or January and May of 2025.

Graduates hailed from 34 states, including the northeast United States and Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas, among others. International graduates spanned Ghana, India, Pakistan, Taiwan, Uganda and the Cayman Islands.

The University of Scranton is a Jesuit university located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Koch-Tran earns diploma

Theresa Anne Koch-Tran, of Whitehall, was among the 115 members of the Class of 2025 receiving a diploma from Geisinger College of health sciences’ school of medicine at the school’s 13th annual commencement ceremony May 10.

School of medicine Dean and Geisinger College of health sciences President Julie Byerley, MD, MPH, noted with pride the school’s alumni are particularly dedicated to primary care, an area of medicine that has significant impact of the accessibility of health care and the overall well-being of populations. This year, that dedication has even greater significance for communities in northeastern and central Pennsylvania; the Class of 2025 is the first class to have a full complement of Abigail Geisinger Scholars.

The highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address delivered by Geisinger board member Claire Pomeroy, MD, president and chief executive officer of the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation and professor emeritus at the University of California Davis. In her remarks, Dr. Pomeroy urged the graduates to “come together as an uplifting wave to improve health for all.” She said that to do so, the new doctors “must look inside yourself to identify your core values and use them as your guide.”

The event also included remarks by Geisinger CEO Terry Gilliland, MD. Chair of the board Virginia McGregor also addressed the graduates.

Alvernia University

Students earn degrees

Alvernia University celebrated more than 550 students in the Class of 2025 at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading May 10.

Bath: Isabella Martinez, Bachelor of Science in nursing

Danielsville: Gabrielle Sommer, Master of Business Administration in community service and economic leadership

Walnutport: Lauren Dorney, Master of Business Administration in community service and economic leadership