A day of firsts – and lasting achievement

– Photos by Cindy Davis Meixel, writer/photo editor, and Jennifer A. Cline, writer/magazine editor

Serenity Hamlin, human services & restorative justice, uses her graduation card to block the intensity of the sunshine as grads wait in line outside the Genetti Hotel.

On their way! Gabrielle E. Moore (left), Constance J. Plankenhorn and Olalekan Lanre Showunmi are among the first physician assistant combined bachelor's/master's degree recipients.

Engineering Technologies' Morgan R. Bagenstose, Kienehn Lloyd Jemison, George Matthew Heberlig and Dakota C. Harrison await their turn with destiny.

A life line in the graduation line

Flowers and philosophy bloom under the marquee.

Connect 4 for the win!

The day's intense humidity could not dampen their spirits.

Two youngsters turn to technology to record their role model’s big day.

Lining the front row, physician assistant bachelor's/master's degree graduates hold their hoods and hopes.

Tamaka Carter, financial aid assistant, belts out the national anthem to an appreciative crowd. A 2020 graduate in business management, she is pursuing a bachelor's in business administration: management concentration.

The Community Arts Center: a spectacular setting for a significant occasion.

Bilbao motions to his family who traveled from his hometown in Lackawanna County, as well as from California and Uruguay, for the exciting event.

A stylized "RT" on Jalen S. Seyler's cap pays tribute to the new alum's budding career in radiographic technology.

Conrad, who didn't attend his own graduation while juggling work and family responsibilities, acknowledged that "this is kind of a big deal being in front of you today." Retracing his career arc from on-the-farm welding to trade school to his employer-supported Penn College education, Conrad said, "None of this ever would have happened if I wasn't willing to take that step out of my comfort zone. I think everyone needs to challenge themselves regularly, every day. I noticed every time that I've stepped out of my comfort zone, it helped me grow as an individual. We only truly grow when we're a little uncomfortable."

Partners in student success: A new president and an award-winning alumnus employed by an industry benefactor.

Reed turns Bilbao's tassel from right to left, asking the speaker's classmates to follow "as a symbol of your entry from student to graduate."

Graduating veterans, part of the college's 250-strong contingent of students with military service, feel the warmth of a grateful audience.

Alp hoods Brooke Morgan Confer, a bachelor's/master's graduate in physician assistant studies, and a recipient of the Academic Vice President and Provost's Award ...

... and congratulates a sparkling Damaris A. Diaz after she received her hood.

John William Brown, decked out in a blue bow tie to match his gown, pauses to savor center stage. The Littlestown resident earned as associate degree in electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis.

"You should be justifiably proud," Reed told students at the outset of the ceremony, satisfaction that clearly registers with nursing grad Gretchen Ann Heintzelman.

New radiography alumna Audrey Kathryn Edgell poses with Reed (after greeting him with a low high-five).

Ryan M. Freidhof, radiography, confidently waves ... as Chris L. Eckenrod (standing), his program director, and Elliott Strickland Jr., vice president for student affairs, join the applause.

Rosado, a President's Award honoree, receives congratulations from ... who else?

A firm handshake equals a solid grasp of the future for surgical technology's Abdiel O. Rodriguez-Polanco.

The distinction of being the final graduate in the new president's first commencement goes to Tiffani Amber Traugher, surgical technology.

Yay, PA! The inaugural combined cohort takes a few minutes to celebrate years of intensive study.

Diaz and her fans

Rolling out the Uruguay flag, the Bilbao family enjoys their moment in the sun – under the seal (complete with a sunflower, his late grandmother’s favorite flower, held by his grandfather). In a commencement address heavily reflective of his relatives' hard work and sacrifice, Bilbao frequently invoked the conscience of his grandmother – his beloved nonna – who told him, "Education is something that nobody will be able to take away from you ever." The insensitivity she was shown as an uneducated immigrant helped guide Bilbao toward his chosen career path – his clear "Why?" – and to the empathy that infuses his life. "It doesn't matter what field we're going into," he reminded his classmates. "You are going to always deal with somebody's 'Somebody.' Please don't ever forget that."

As the crowd dwindles outside, the new president takes one final photo with a lucky graduate: Samantha Marie Davenport, radiography. Congratulations, all!

Already entwined by family roots, cousins Cassidy Faith Howe (left) and Chaela Kristine Swing are now further bound by their notable physician assistant studies degrees.

Say it with flowers: You've done well, Amanda Christina Lisi! The Montoursville resident is one of the college's history-making bachelor's/master's graduates in physician assistant studies.

Utilizing the shade of the newly named Davie Jane Gilmour Center for post-ceremony photos is Alexia O. Zelenevskaya, dental hygiene.

Grads leave their Genetti staging locale, including Emily N. Carson, of Jersey Shore, en route to her bachelor's in graphic design.

Surgical technology grads gather with their program director, Scott A. Geist.

Radiography grad Angelyvette Santana Rosado’s cap vows: “The first generation, but not the last.”

Automotive graduates enjoy their moment in the sun. From left: Connor J. Bollinger, of Pennsylvania Furnace; Zachary P. Cronin, of Bellefonte; and Jack T. O’Brien, of Leonia, N.J.

Playing on the words of her new profession in licensed practical nursing, Jennifer C. Rebmann celebrates completing her journey as a simultaneous full-time student and full-time jobholder.

Surgical technology students joyfully encourage passing drivers to honk at the graduating class.

Graduating physical therapist assistant students make the march to the Community Arts Center.

Physical therapist assistant graduates pause with Victoria Hurwitz, the program director.

Drawing on classic Latin, a paramedic grad artfully reminds herself of a tenet of care: First, do no harm.

A promising message from Sydney A. Bruno, a President's Award recipient who completed studies toward a degree in physical therapist assistant.

Radiography and soccer grad Sloane A. Tressler, of Mill Hall, takes the final steps toward her associate degree. She’ll continue toward a bachelor’s degree in applied health studies this fall.

Looking straight ahead as the future nears.

Graduating members of the college’s 2022 Baja SAE team, which made college history by being the first in the team’s 17 years to take first in an endurance race (and then repeated the feat a few weeks later), pose with their winning vehicle – manufactured by them – and their adviser, John G. Upcraft, instructor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing. The grads missed their spring commencement because they were competing.

Building construction technology graduate Carson L. McChesney, of Bellefonte, distributes hugs among his family members.

Physical therapist assistant grad Cassie J. Keister, of Mifflinburg, celebrates with her dad.

Outside the CAC, a family captures the milestone moment.

Anna A. Lovell, recipient of the Evangelical Community Hospital, in Memoriam of Bethany Hughes, Clinical Excellence Award for Radiologic Technology Student Achievement, grants her family’s photo requests.

Karen L. Plankenhorn, who recently retired as a clinical supervisor in the college’s radiography program, celebrates with daughter Constance J., who received a combined bachelor’s/master’s degree in physician assistant studies.

With Alpha Chi stoles and combined bachelor’s/master’s hoods, a pair of physician assistant studies grads relishes the day.

The celebrating Moore clan includes new physician assistant studies grad Gabrielle E. (center), and behind her (with caps), dad Todd (student affairs marketing specialist) and mom Shelley L. (senior director of the Center for Career Design).

President Reed (right) joins the celebrating Baja team outside the Community Arts Center. Students (from left) are Morgan R. Bagenstose, Tyler J. Bandle, Dhruv Singh and Dominic J. Lepri.

Three Penn College graduates gather: Declan W. (Spring 2022, building science and sustainable design: architectural technology concentration), Rose V. (Summer 2022, physical therapist assistant) and Heidi E. (2021, occupational therapy assistant). The Gatchell siblings are from Manchester.

Sarah Dietrich, a physical therapist assistant grad from New Cumberland, brings family to the Veterans Fountain, a landmark she passed on her trek to the physical therapist assistant lab, inside the nearby Breuder Advanced Technology & Health Sciences Center.

Surgical technology grad Olivia M. Eisenhauer, of New Columbia, celebrates near the Veterans Fountain. Her student-athlete stole was earned through participation on the Wildcat softball team.

In his first commencement as president, Reed turned his immediate focus to the Summer 2022 class: "I trust that each of you will build upon the skills and life lessons that you have learned at Penn College to make your indelible mark in the world. You have the foundation for sustainable success as essential, indispensible employees in business, industry and the public sphere. As a college president and educator, acknowledging students as they embark on rewarding careers and significant life passages is a privilege that I pledge never to take for granted."

In a presentation worthy of the dazzling downtown venue, the student speaker enchants the crowd with humor, humility and hope.