Monday, May 18, 2026
photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor; Rob Hinkal, social media specialist; and Anna E. Reed, photographer (student)
Penn College held its three Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies May 15-16 at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center. Over 700 students marched in the ceremonies, with 832 having petitioned to graduate.
Student speakers were Giovanni A. Barbarossa, of Bridgeville; Miranda S. Mohammad, of Philadelphia; and Lauren D. Peck, of South Williamsport. All three received bachelor’s degrees: Barbarossa in building automation engineering technology, Mohammad in nursing and Peck in aviation maintenance technology.
Penn College presented a Distinguished Alumni Award to Jacob D. Fisher, of Cogan Station, who received bachelor’s degree in welding & fabrication engineering technology from the college in 2010.
Graduates’ degrees were conferred by President Michael J. Reed, with authority granted by state Sen. Gene Yaw, chairman of the college’s Board of Directors, who provided a video message to graduates.
The livestreamed links to the three ceremonies are still available for viewing on the Spring 2026 Commencement webpage.
Emergency management & homeland security graduates pause for a pre-commencement pic with William A. Schlosser, assistant professor.
Kendal L. Johnson helps fellow applied management and baking & pastry arts grad Amanda E. Pennington with her cap …
… before the two have their photo taken with Brian D. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality.
Nursing students pause outside the Genetti Hotel as Friday’s marchers head to the Journey Bank Community Arts Center.
Dental hygiene students capture a selfie-worthy moment.
Tammy M. Miller, associate professor of business administration: management and event management, joins a photo op with business administration students.
Emily L. Fink, who received two student achievement awards, walks to the Arts Center with her human services & restorative justice classmates.
Graduating nursing students Jeweliana L. Tawney (left), of Montgomery, and Riley A. Reed, of Elysburg, sing the national anthem for Friday’s ceremony.
Joanna K. Flynn, vice president for academic affairs and provost, welcomes family and friends.
Miranda S. Mohommad, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing, encourages fellow graduates: “We are here today as proof that we are capable of far more than what life throws at us.” The student speaker shared that witnessing a lack of accessible healthcare while growing up in Pakistan inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare and caring for others.
Graduates who are veterans stand at the request of the president. While recognizing graduating veterans at each ceremony, Reed shared that more than 200 Penn College students are veterans. More than 150 served in active duty before enrolling at the college, and 50 currently serve in the reserves and National Guard.
Elizabeth Marie Guyer receives her hood from Flynn. Guyer completed a Master of Science in nursing: nursing education concentration.
Reed congratulations Mohammad, the student speaker.
Isabella M. Lyon, a business administration grad from Warren, celebrates with family.
Automotive technology management graduates gather.
Matias L. Berger, earning a bachelor’s in aviation maintenance technology, shows the next step in his career: a position with Sierra Nevada Corp. He’s from Huntingdon.
Saturday morning’s speaker, Lauren D. Peck, who received a bachelor’s in aviation maintenance technology and the President’s Award, told her classmates: “Penn College has meant so much more than a degree. This is a place where you actually do the work. You struggle, you figure things out, and somewhere along the way, you build confidence – not because you have all the answers, but because you learn how to find them.”
Jake Fisher shares perspectives while accepting the Distinguished Alumni Award. Among his advice: “One of the great things about being a tomorrow maker is that wherever your path takes you, you will have the opportunity to be a problem solver. As you encounter those opportunities, I would ask that you remember that how you approach solving a problem is often more impactful than the solution itself.”
Mateo "Tido" D. Bien, earning a degree in automotive technology management, rallies the audience to applaud. Bien is from West Chester.
Reed congratulates Peck, the Saturday morning commencement speaker.
A group gathers following their ceremony.
Lewis E. "Tre" Fike III, a welding & fabrication engineering technology graduate from Mifflinburg, celebrates with family.
Ready-to-work construction management grads pose before processing to the Arts Center.
Chike K. Nwachukwu, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, readies to receive a bachelor’s degree in heating, ventilation & air conditioning engineering technology …
… as some of his fans prepare to celebrate him.
Ralph R. Courtright III, a construction management grad from Milford.
Tamaka F. Carter, a financial aid counselor, sings the national anthem during the Saturday afternoon ceremony. She also sang during the Saturday morning commencement.
Giovanni A. Barbarossa, completing his second Penn College degree (a bachelor’s in building automation engineering) celebrated his fellow graduates’ common decision, time and again, to keep going. “No matter where life takes you, keep building the momentum that you have created here,” he said. “We arrived at Penn College as students preparing for a future. Today, we leave as graduates prepared to help shape it.”
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