Cedar Crest College

Students graduate

On May 9, Cedar Crest College honored the Class of 2026 during its 156th commencement at PPL Center, Allentown. Graduates and their loved ones gathered to mark this significant milestone, celebrating the knowledge, skills and experiences gained during their time at Cedar Crest. The event highlighted the values of leadership, service and community that are integral to the Cedar Crest spirit.

Bath: Kristen Unangst, Bachelor of Science in biochemistry; Ashlee Kitzhoffer, Bachelor of Science in biology; Felicia Buchanan, Master of Science in nursing

Catasauqua: Brielle Davies, Bachelor of Science in nursing

Northampton: Haylee Vangeli, Bachelor of Arts in general studies; Hailee Troxell, Bachelor of Science in business administration; Mahamane Kamite, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Autumn-Rose Kuzio, Bachelor of Science in nursing; Madelyn Updegrove, Bachelor of Arts in integrated biology; Erin Markulics, Master of Public Health

Whitehall: Monica Fame, Bachelor of Science in nutrition

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 co-ed School of Adult and Graduate Education. Located in Allentown, Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025-26 Best College Rankings as No. 16 in Social Mobility and is among the top 100 colleges and universities in the region.

Kutztown University

Dean’s list is announced

More than 2,000 students have been named to the spring 2026 dean’s list at Kutztown University. To be eligible for this honor, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade-point average of 3.6.

Bath: Hannah Renee Bundra, Andre Paz, Andrew Paul Szeplaki, Taylor Danielle Ziegler

Catasauqua: Kay Ranay Bedford, Valerie Davidheiser, Julia Dolon, Joseph Anthony Fischl, Stella Geneva Jones, Chloe P. Moyer, Maya Estella Osorto, Ashley Turi Ritter, Jon James Rizzo, Juliza Nicor Rodriguez, Christopher James Smell, Jordan Soltis

Coplay: Nico Crachi, Sara Autumn Johnson, Yelitza Solangel Gonzalez, Erin Nicole Soldridge

Danielsville: Adam A. Reichelderfer, Gianna Giselle Rodriguez

Northampton: Shelly Ann Alexander, Jill Rose Borger, Logan Nathan Brader, Bailey M. Brossman, Shantae Cuevas, Elanna Alyse Erdman, Maycen A. Harryn, Harley M. Leonard, Rachael Victoria Moss, Vanessa Passanisi, Cierra Romano, Trey S. Rubino, Michael Robert Seidick, Devuhn Singh, Camryn Nicole Strittmatter, Sierra R. Strittmatter, Kendall Zamora

Walnutport: Reece Dayton Johnson, Nina Hyde Nauman, Brooke Marie Peters, Alex Schrampf, Ethan Connor Schrampf

Whitehall: Sam Valentina Anato, Cameron Marie Boyko, Angela Christine Bruneio, Samuel Alexis Caban, Audrey L. Cullen, Matthew Eskander, Marquett Angel Ferrell, Jade Ireland Geist, Diana L. Hazim, Mikki Lorraine Heintzelman, Thomas M. Kloss, Landon Abbas Mahmoud, Jade Martin, David Martin Mendez, Marita Obeid, Nick Riedy, Kailyn Leeana Rothenberger, Joshua Ethan Schlosser, Nadia Sonia Shahda, Peter Abed Tabarani, Alyson M. Younes

Founded in 1866, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education located on 289 acres nestled in the beautiful East Penn Valley in Berks County. As the region’s center for excellence in academics, culture and public engagement, KU’s programs and reputation for quality offer students the opportunity to discover lifelong avenues of learning and discovery.

KU students select from more than 130 areas of study within four colleges in a diverse liberal arts academic environment. To complement their studies, KU’s NCAA Division II athletics program with 23 varsity sports joins the more than 160 student clubs and organizations providing students with a variety of activities for learning and discovery.

York College of Pennsylvania

Rau, Turek earn degrees

York College of Pennsylvania is proud to recognize Colby Rau, of Catasauqua, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in mechanical engineering, and Emily Turek, of Whitehall, who graduated with a Master of Education degree, majoring in diversity and resilience, in May 2026. During the ceremony, graduates earned associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. York College is proud of its students and alumni and looks forward to seeing the meaningful contributions these graduates will make next.

Established in 1787, York College of Pennsylvania is a private, four-year college located in the city of York, a hub of arts and industry between Baltimore and Philadelphia. Housed on 190 picturesque acres, the college is known for its focus on experiential learning and community engagement, serving more than 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students in more than 70 baccalaureate majors, along with 30-plus professional graduate degree and certificate programs. Deeply rooted in the liberal arts and recognized for excellence in its professional business, education, engineering and nursing programs, York is ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools by Niche. The college’s robust recreation and athletics program is among the best in the region and is home to 24 NCAA Division III sports teams and 25-plus intramural/club sports. A Princeton Review Best Mid-Atlantic College, York prides itself on its experienced, engaged faculty, its high-impact and student-centric philosophy and its long-standing commitment to affordability and accessibility.

Slippery Rock University

Gaudiuso, Slivka graduate

Whitehall native Marissa Gaudiuso and Northampton native Alex Slivka were named to Slippery Rock University’s dean’s list for the spring 2026 semester. The dean’s list consists of SRU undergraduate students who earned an adjusted semester GPA of 3.5 or higher based on a schedule of at least 12 newly attempted and earned credits.

Slippery Rock University is a premier four-year, public university offering more than 150 profession-focused and industry-aligned undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs. As a leading regional comprehensive institution with a broad array of accredited programs serving more than 8,000 students,

SRU is continually recognized for its quality, innovation and affordability. The university has been named a “Best Mid-Atlantic College” by The Princeton Review and “Best Regional Universities” by U.S. News & World Report. The vibrant 660-acre campus features a suite-style residential village, state-of-the-art academic facilities, a new intramural field and athletic venues for its 17 NCAA Division II teams. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, SRU is a leading member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. It is known for its inclusive community, hands-on learning experiences and dedication to preparing students for meaningful careers and engaged citizenship.

University of Bridgeport

Oudin named to president’s list

Chloe Oudin, of Whitehall, was among more than 330 students named to the spring 2026 president’s list. To be named to this honor, a student must maintain a term GPA of 3.7 or higher.

University of Bridgeport offers career-oriented undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees and programs for people seeking personal and professional growth. The university promotes academic excellence, personal responsibility and commitment to service. Distinctive curricula in an international, culturally diverse and supportive learning environment prepare graduates for life and leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. The university is independent and non-sectarian. For more information, visit bridgeport.edu.