Samantha Hagenbush has built quite the resume during her time at Penn State Berks. She’s been a mental health advocate, a three-sport student-athlete, and a consistent leader of campus clubs and organizations. On Saturday, May 4, she’ll don a new hat — college graduate — when she earns her baccalaureate degree in kinesiology with a minor in psychological sciences.
A new class of nearly 250 Penn State Berks students will receive their baccalaureate and associate degrees at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, when Berks hosts its spring 2024 commencement ceremony. The honorary keynote speaker this year will be Lucine Sihelnik, president and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. Sihelnik is a leader in community and economic development and has spent the last 20 years working to advocate for sustainability in Berks County.
“In the Aspiring Scholars Program, I became comfortable with myself. I was able to have a fresh start and have people accept me for who I am. It’s why I decided to stay at Berks, and it impacted me so much that I wanted to have the same impact and inspire other foster youth to come to college,” said senior hospitality management major Amy Yu.
Eighteen new Penn State Berks practical nursing program graduates will cross the stage during the Penn State Berks fall commencement on Saturday, Dec. 16, at the Santander Arena. The students earned their certificates in practical nursing and are eligible for the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse, or NCLEX-PN.
“I just want to say ‘thanks’ to all the students, faculty and staff that I met at Penn State Berks. I have so much gratitude for the campus and where it’s led me," said Berks student Arizona Shreck, who will be student marshal for the commencement ceremony on Dec. 16.
Penn State Berks and Reading High School alumni and sisters Cory Varona-Corniel and Nicol Varona Cancelmo, co-founders of OCOA Beauty, will together deliver the commencement address for the Berks campus commencement ceremony on Dec. 16.
During her time at Penn State Berks, Michel Germán dedicated her efforts to helping others, in and out of the classroom, all while persevering through adversity. The Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, native graduated on May 6 with her bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education during the Penn State Berks commencement ceremony.
Edith Konneh has had a successful four years at Penn State Berks, both academically and socially. Perhaps her most significant accomplishment was inspiring her fellow students through her poetry which explores issues of mental health, self-love, and healing. The Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, native will graduate with a bachelor's degree in elementary and early childhood education during Penn State Berks commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 6.
Penn State Berks senior Lestine Paye has had quite the journey to get to where she is today. From the outside looking in, it seems as though she’s done it all with ease. In just a few weeks, she’ll graduate with her bachelor’s degree in business with a focus on marketing and management, and a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. For her, the challenges she’s faced have deeply influenced her personal and professional development.
When Victor Ortiz emigrated from Mexico to the United States at age 13, he couldn’t have imagined what his future would hold. Ortiz will earn his Penn State Berks baccalaureate degree in organizational leadership on May 6, 2023, during the college’s commencement ceremony. Then he will be commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps during a pinning ceremony, which will be held at Reading Senior High School on June 2.
