Summer 2025 Commencement celebrates 140 Tomorrow Makers

Monday, August 11, 2025

photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor

Students in caps and gowns walk toward the camera.

Wildcat basketball player and two-time athlete of the year Gavin P. Barrett, of Union, N.J., is among 140 students who petitioned to graduate during Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Summer 2025 Commencement. Barrett is followed closely by teammate Michael R. Woolridge, of Hollidaysburg. Both completed bachelor’s degrees in business administration.

Penn College’s Summer 2025 Commencement, held Saturday at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center, welcomed the college’s newest graduates, many of whom will help ease workforce shortages in the health care industry.

The student speaker was Whendy E. Marshall-Magallon, of York, who received a combined Bachelor/Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies. She also received the Russell M. Trapp Professionalism Award, presented to a graduate who exemplifies ideals consistent with the physician assistant profession as exhibited by exceptional commitment, comportment and attitude.

President Michael J. Reed conferred degrees and certificates upon the latest graduates.

A group of men and women in blue graduation caps and gowns.

Physical therapist assistant students gather in a Genetti Hotel ballroom for "lineup" before the graduates walk to the Journey Bank Community Arts Center next door.

The backs of the heads of two Penn College radiography graduates, showing their decorated caps: One with X-ray images, the other with a skull.

Penn College graduates, wearing blue graduation caps and gowns, walk in a line along West Fourth Street.

Women in graduation caps and gowns make celebratory gestures toward the camera while walking in a line down the street.

Surgical technology grads – led by director Elizabeth S. Gizenski (left), program director – make their way to the arts center in style.

A large group of men and women in black graduation caps and gowns.

Students in graduation caps and gowns walk in a line down down a street toward the Journey Bank Community Arts Center.

Tamaka F. Carter, a financial aid counselor who began singing the national anthem at commencement when she was a student, again offers a goosebump-worthy rendition.

A woman in a black graduation cap and gown stands behind a podium on the Journey Bank Community Arts Center stage. Sitting behind her are many faculty members wearing caps and gowns. The Pennsylvania College of Technology seal hangs in the back, against a blue curtain.

“Here you are,” physician assistant studies graduate Whendy Marshall-Magallon, of York, tells her fellow grads, “proof that hard work, sacrifice and determination can take you farther than you ever imagined.”

Penn College President Michael J. Reed stands behind a podium, using his hands while he speaks and smiles.

A graduation cap reads "Once a Wilcat, always a Wildcat."

Physical therapist assistant graduates stand for the conferral of their associate degrees.

Looking down on an auditorium filled with people. On stage, a person stands behind a podium and several Pennsylvania College of Technology faculty members sit in rows in chairs behind the speaker.

Veteran graduates stand for recognition.

A woman in a graduation cap and gown kneals as a person behind her reaches to place an academic hood over her head.

Joanna K. Flynn, vice president for academic affairs and provost, bestows a hood on Gabrielle R. Henry, a physician assistant studies graduate from McClure.

A graduate walks across the Journey Bank Community Arts Center stage toward Pennsylvania College of Technology physician assistant Jennifer Chestnut and President Michael J. Reed.

Jennifer J. Chestnut, physician assistant for College Health Services, prepares to present a diploma to her niece Grace M. Chestnut, of Cogan Station, who earned a degree in physician assistant studies.

A graduate in a blue graduation cap and gown shakes the hand of Penn College President Michael J. Reed.

A graduate in a black graduation cap and gown shakes the hand of Penn College President Michael J. Reed while he hands her a blue diploma folder.

A graduate wearing a blue graduation cap and gown shakes the hand of two others in caps and gowns.

Ashley N. Rich, graduating with an associate degree in physical therapist assistant, is joined on stage by her mother, Tammy M., associate professor of business administration/management/event management.

A photographer stands behind a camera while a graduate shakes the hand of Penn College President Michael J. Reed.

An Island Photography staff member (left) captures the moment.

Men and women in graduation caps and gowns smile.

Penn College President Michael J. Reed fist bumps smiling graduates in their seats at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center.

A graduate wearing a graduate cap and gown hugs a woman outside the Journey Bank Community Arts Center.

A woman in a blue graduation cap and gown holds a sleeping infant in front of the Journey Bank Community Arts Center marquis, which says "Congratulations, Graduates!"

A woman in a blue cap and gown holds several bouquets and a Snooy stuffed animal. Seven family members stand with her.

A man in a black graduation cap and gown holds a blue diploma folder. He is flanked by four family members and two pillars of blue and gray balloons.

Bailey M. Riley, celebrating a bachelor’s in business administration, indulges a photo opportunity with his family, including mom Cheryl E., donor services specialist for the college.