2024 Commencement Medalists Announced

The bestowal of medals for academic excellence and achievement is occurring Friday, May 17, 2024, during various Hooding and Honors ceremonies on campus. Graduate and undergraduate students who have attained a notable level of academic excellence or have shown great leadership abilities are being honored.

Medals (except doctoral medals) are being awarded at the medalists’ respective Hooding and Honors Ceremonies on Friday, May 17, at various times/locations on Marywood’s campus. Doctoral medals will be awarded during the Marywood University Commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, at the Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND Events Schedule

The 2024 Marywood University Commencement Medalists include:

Graduate Medal Recipients:

SISTER SAINT AGNES MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS
This graduate medal was founded by Ms. Angela Moran in honor of Sister St. Agnes Moran, IHM.
Awarded to: Het Patel

SISTER M. EVA CONNORS PEACE MEDAL
This medal was founded in memory of Sister M. Eva Connors, IHM.
Awarded to: Nayda Thompson

GEFFEN MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN PRACTICUM EDUCATION
Friends and co-workers founded this School of Social Work medal in memory of Albert Geffen.
Awarded to: Anne Krothe-Wolfe

HAGGERTY MEDAL FOR LEADERSHIP AND ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION
This graduate medal was founded by Trustees of the estate of Loretta Haggerty.
Awarded to: Jillian Paige Gratz
Honorable Mention: Allison Baur

THOMAS J. KEENAN, M.D. MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
This medal was founded by Mrs. Mary Keenan Hecht in honor of her brother.
Awarded to: Patrick Barney

WILLIAM G. McGOWAN MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN DOCTORAL (PH.D.) STUDIES
This medal was founded in honor of William G. McGowan, a founder of MCI Communications Corp., by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. The medal recognizes scholarship, integrity, discipline, creativity and human service.
Awarded to: Heather Messina
Honorable Mention: Ross Novak

WILLIAM G. McGOWAN MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN DOCTORAL (PSY. D.) STUDIES
This medal was founded in honor of William G. McGowan, a founder of MCI Communications Corp., by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund. The medal recognizes scholarship, integrity, discipline, creativity and human service.
Awarded to: Samantha Glosser
Honorable Mention: Joseph Teeple

POLIZZI MEDAL FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
This School of Social Work medal was founded by the Student Association, School of Social Work, in memory of Anthony C. Polizzi.
Awarded to: Nayda Thompson

WALTON MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
This graduate medal was founded by Dr. Clarence C. and Elizabeth Walton.
Awarded to: Sam Badkerhanian
Honorable Mention: Brad W. Reid

Undergraduate Medal Recipients:

KAPPA GAMMA PI MEDAL FOR GENERAL EXCELLENCE
This medal is donated by the Scranton Chapter of Kappa Gamma Pi, National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society.
Awarded to: Zachary Parkhurst and Rachel Yohn

DOLORES M. ACKOUREY MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RELATIONS
Mr. and Mrs. William P. Ackourey founded this medal, in memory of their daughter, Dolores.
Awarded to: Kevin Charles Budveit
Honorable Mention: Ann Marie McGrogan

BARRETT MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE AND SCHOLARSHIP IN THE FIELD OF LEGAL STUDIES, HISTORY, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE
This medal was founded by Sigma Pi Mu in honor of Dr. John W. Barrett.
Awarded to: James Daly

THE SISTER REGINA BARRETT MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
This medal was established in honor of Sister Regina Barrett, IHM, by Superintendent Patricia C. Leamy.
Awarded to: Natasha Rose Walton
Honorable Mention: Matthew Kyle Klipple

HAROLD BRISLIN MEDAL FOR DISTINCTION IN CREATIVE WRITING
This medal was founded by the late Gene Brislin, in memory of her husband, J. Harold Brislin, a Pulitzer Prize Winner.
Awarded to: Dylan Paul Campbell

THOMAS AND NORAH CLARKE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN BUSINESS
This medal was founded by The Clarke Family in memory of their parents, Thomas and Norah Clarke.
Awarded to: Michael Romano
Honorable Mention: Gabrielle Troch

CZACHOR MEDAL FOR DISTINCTION IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES
This medal was founded by the Czachor Family of Archbald, Pennsylvania.
Awarded to: Diane Elizabeth Kraus

MARGARET RUDDY DOUGHERTY MEDAL FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION
This medal was founded by the estate of Margaret Ruddy Dougherty.
Awarded to: Matthew Kyle Klipple
Honorable Mention: Ann Marie McGrogan

MARY GRACE LOUGHNEY FLYNN '39 MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC
Established by Sister Elizabeth R. Loughney, IHM.
Awarded to: Lilly Vito
Honorable Mention: Kaitlyn Gingerlowski

EDWARD GAYESKI MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN
Mrs. Alba Gayeski, founded this medal in memory of her husband, Edward Gayeski.
Awarded to: Hayley Gaines

SISTER M. IMMACULATA GILLESPIE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN SECONDARY EDUCATION
This medal was founded by Elizabeth Young Arvad, M.D.
Awarded to: Lauren Kathryn Lalik
Honorable Mention: Chanlyn Jo O’Sullivan

THE JENKINS-COLIS GILROY MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL WORK
This medal was founded by BSW students, in memory of Brian Jenkins, Class of 1979, and Patricia Colis Gilroy, Class of 1976.
Awarded to: Elise P. Shore
Honorable Mention: Michaela Henderson

JORDAN MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
This medal was founded by the Misses Jordan, in memory of their brother, Reverend Richard D. Jordan, J.C.L.
Awarded to: Evan Gedrich
Honorable Mention: Keilah Granito

ROSEMARY CARROLL KAZIMER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
This medal was founded by Dr. Mary Louise Keeney in honor of Mrs. Kazimer.
Awarded to: Lauren Ann Walsh
Honorable Mention: Natasha Rose Walton

SISTER M. CLARE KELLEY MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC
This medal was founded in memory of Sister M. Clare Kelley by her former music students.
Awarded to: Ruiwen Su

SISTER M. MARGRETE KELLEY MEDAL FOR DISTINCTION IN SERVICE
This medal was founded by Anna G. Kirby in memory of her sister, Sister M. Margrete Kelley, IHM.
Awarded to: Michael Patrick Romano
Honorable Mention: Allison Merckx

SISTER DAVIDICA M. KILDEA MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN VOICE
This medal was founded in memory of Sister M. Davidica Kildea, IHM, by the Kildea Family.
Awarded to: Carlie Cocco
Honorable Mention: Kristin Ventricelli

SISTER M. CHARITAS LOFTUS MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN POETRY
This medal was founded by Jemille A. Zaydon and Friends and Alumni.
Awarded to: Dylan Paul Campbell

SAINT LUKE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN ART
This medal was founded by Miss Helen Leonard in memory of Miss Mary E. Barrett.
Awarded to: Kristina Elizabeth Zenga
Honorable Mention: Julianne Mary Marchione

MARGARET T. LUNNEY MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN THE STUDY OF COMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND DISORDERS
This medal was founded by Miss Dorothy R. McNulty in honor of Miss Lunney.
Awarded to: Skylar Gagnon
Honorable Mention: Carly DeMaria

LYNETT MEDAL FOR ACADEMIC DISTINCTION IN MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION ARTS
This medal was founded by the late E. J. Lynett, in memory of his wife, Ellen Ruddy Lynett.
Awarded to: Eric Spivak

SISTER MARIA LAURENCE MAHER MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN BIOLOGICAL STUDIES
This medal was founded in memory of Sister Maria Laurence Maher, IHM, by her family.
Awarded to: Ryan Overdorff

MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY
This medal was founded by the Psychology Club in honor of Sister M. St. Mary Orr, IHM, and Sister M. Bernardina McAndrew, IHM.
Awarded to: Sydney Skrutski
Honorable Mentions: Alyvia Mroczka, Samantha Di Carlo, Nina Grushinski

PHILIP E. MULRY MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN CHEMISTRY
The Mulry Medal was founded by the Mulry family in memory of Philip E. Mulry, Sr.
Awarded to: Rachel Yohn

NEMOTKO MEDAL FOR DISTINCTION IN NURSING
This medal was founded by Mrs. Anthony J. Nemotko, in memory of her husband, Anthony J. Nemotko.
Awarded to: Kacie Szczech

MARY PACE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN PHILOSOPHY
This medal was founded by Reverend William J. Pace in memory of his mother, Mary Pace.
Awarded to: Diane Elizabeth Kraus
Honorable Mention: Grace Lepage

DR. WANDA PERSICHETTI MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY
Friends of Dr. Persichetti founded this medal in her honor.
Awarded to: Paloma Heredia

JUDITH PIZNAR MEDAL FOR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO YOUTH
This medal was founded in memory of Judy Piznar, Class of 1990.
Awarded to: Lauren Kathryn Lalik
Honorable Mention: Naomi Elizabeth Brinker

ROBERT E. QUINNAN MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE ALPHONSIAN AND IHM TRADITION
This medal was founded by Catherine Quinnan, in memory of her husband Robert E. Quinnan.
Awarded to: Naomi Elizabeth Brinker
Honorable Mention: Mark Yuschak

SHAFFER MEDAL FOR NUTRITION AND DIETETICS
This medal was founded by C. Norman Shaffer, LL.D., in memory of Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart Walsh, IHM, and Sister Margaret Mary Howley, IHM.
Awarded to: Maille Galvin
Honorable Mention: Lily Mackarey

TAMA MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
This medal was founded by Mrs. Margaret Mary Tama Hovell and Dr. Judith Tama Page, in memory of their parents, John and Margaret Tama.
Awarded to: Nikki Jean Rosiak
Honorable Mention: Juan C. Cardenas