Penn State Wilkes-Barre celebrates 2023 graduates

A woman wearing a cap and gown as well as a cord indicating her veteran status stands among seated graduates and audience members

World Campus graduate Wendy Lamezec is recognized for her military duty and sacrifice during the commencement ceremony. Lazemec received her Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis.

Credit: Alyssa Ellsworth

DALLAS, Pa. — Penn State Wilkes-Barre held a weekend of celebration events for this year’s graduates, including a commencement ceremony and an outdoor party.

On May 5, the campus held its first “Forever Penn Staters” graduate celebration on the patio of Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s historic Hayfield House. The event featured food stations, yard games, music and the creation of a living yearbook for students to personalize with guidance from Anna Malsky, a local artist and owner of ANNAMALY art collective. Bryan Winters was selected as the winner of a random $1,000 drawing sponsored by Cross Valley Federal Credit Union.

“Forever Penn Staters” was attended by notable alumni Richard “Rick” Barry, class of 1980, this year’s commencement speaker, who is a philanthropist and investment management manager and former partner and advisory board member of the San Diego Padres, and his longtime friend, Penn State play-by-play announcer Steve Jones. Jones has been the voice of Penn State football games since 2000 and basketball games since 1982. Both Barry and Jones got their starts at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, completing two years at the campus before transitioning to University Park to finish their degrees.

The annual commencement ceremony was held May 6 in the campus’ Athletic and Recreation Building. Lynda Goldstein, chancellor and chief academic officer, conferred associate and baccalaureate degrees to the graduates.

This year’s graduates, their degrees and hometowns are listed below. Honors graduates and students receiving academic achievement awards are denoted as follows: * cum laude (distinction), ** magna cum laude (high distinction) and *** summa cum laude (highest distinction).

  • Amineh J. Al-Hawa, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; Kingston
  • Brooke Arnold, Bachelor of Science in Business; Springville
  • Gabrielle E. Bohinski, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; Hunlock Creek
  • James J. Burke Jr., Associate’s in Business Administration; Ashley
  • Hannah Corson, Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering; New Albany
  • Eyziak Cottle, Associate’s in Surveying Engineering Technology; Everett
  • Jenna Cruz, Bachelor of Science in Marketing; Kingston
  • Sarah Dule, Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Human Services; Hanover Township
  • Robert Formola, Bachelor of Science in Business; Wilkes-Barre
  • Kaii Gilliam, Bachelor of Science in Business; Rochester, New York
  • Zachary A. Hunsinger, Associate’s in Surveying Engineering Technology; Saltillo
  • Patience M. Jacobsen, Associate’s in Multidisciplinary Studies; Bloomsburg
  • Mackenzie E. Jennings, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; Wilkes-Barre
  • Grace H. Kubus, Associate’s in Business Administration; Mayfield
  • Tyler Klienbach, Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice; Plymouth
  • John Kohl, Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology; Harveys Lake
  • Edward J. Kupstas IV., Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology; Edwardsville
  • Wendy Lamezec, Bachelor of Science in Security and Risk Analysis; Dallas
  • Charlie Li, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology; Plymouth
  • Hannah Matysik, Associate’s in Business Administration; Sweet Valley
  • Arthur Menichini, Associate Degree in Criminal Justice; Pittston
  • Hanna Morgan, Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Human Services; Dallas
  • Keera M. Naugle, Associate’s in Business Administration; Hunlock Creek
  • Kyle Naugle, Associate’s in Business Administration; Hunlock Creek
  • Syndia Perez, Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology; Wilkes-Barre
  • Anthony Picott, Bachelor of Science in Business; Newport News, Virginia
  • Tyler S. Pokrinchak, Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering; Nanticoke
  • Matthew D. Roberts, Bachelor of Science in Business; Wyoming
  • Charles G. Ross, Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology; Pittston
  • Hallie Sanchez, Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology; Wilkes-Barre
  • Tanner E. Smith, Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering; Plains
  • Ryan C. Sorber, Associate’s in Information Sciences and Technology; White Haven
  • Matthew A. Swire, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice; Dallas
  • Ashley Tomeo, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Wilkes-Barre
  • Sara Tomsak**, Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation and Human Services; Exeter
  • Andy Andy R. Traver, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology; Hanover Township
  • Yinaria Valentin, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice; Ashley
  • Abigail Winter***, Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology; Harveys Lake
  • Bryan N. Winters, Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology; Duryea
  • Holly Winters, Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communication; Duryea