As Indiana University of Pennsylvania honors its 1,100 students receiving bachelor’s degrees during commencement ceremonies on May 11, it will celebrate students who completed those degrees with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Graduates being recognized include the following:
Allegheny County
Sam Bingham, history and political science, Carnegie. Son of Deneen Underwood and Bill Bigham, he is a graduate of Carlynton Junior Senior High School. A member of the Cook Honors College, he received the Slebodnik Memorial Scholarship and the outstanding oral presentation award at IUP’s 2023 Scholars Forum. He is president of the IUP College Democrats.
Hayley Tate, a biology honors program major in the ecology, conservation, and evolutionary biology track with a minor in sustainability, of Munhall. Daughter of Maria Tate and John Tate, she is a 2020 graduate of Steel Valley Senior High School. A Sutton Scholarship and Creating Opportunities for Applied Mathematics Scholarship recipient, she is the 2023–4 Cynthia Sushak Undergraduate Biology Fund for Excellence Award winner and received an Undergraduate Student Research Grant for 2022–23.
Her undergraduate research topic was “Guancasco de las Ranas: Vocalizations and natural history of four endemic pond-breeding anurans from an explosive breeding aggregation in the Lenca Highlands of southwestern Honduras (bioacoustics analyses of four endemic Honduran anurans, frogs and toads). She was a member of the SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability) Club, was the Zoological Collections manager of the IUP Zoological Museum, and studied abroad in Honduras in the summer of 2023 focusing on biodiversity and environmental justice in Central America. She is the co-author of “The advertisement call of the Copan Stream Frog (Anura: Hylidae; Ptychohyla hypomykter).”
Armstrong County
Machaela Rankin, a natural sciences-pre-optometry major from Creekside. Daughter of Jerry and Jennifer Rankin, she is a 2021 graduate of West Shamokin Junior-Senior High School. She is a Sutton Scholarship recipient and was selected for membership in the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is treasurer of the IUP Equestrian Team.
Blair County
Iris Kauffman, an art history and studio art major in the Cook Honors College from Altoona. Daughter of Jason Kauffman and Crystal Conrad-Kauffman, she received the Board of Governors Scholarship, the Ralph Reynolds Art Scholarship, and earned a Certificate of Multicultural Awareness. She participated in the Foreign Language Diversity and Inclusion Series, SQUAD Art Studio, was a member of the Kipp Gallery Committee, and volunteered for the American Red Cross and the IUP Haven Project.
Elizabeth Haffling, a hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event management major from Martinsburg. Daughter of Greg and Amy Haffling, she is a 2014 graduate of Spring Cove School District. She received the Statler Scholarship, awarded based on academic excellence, character, and commitment to the industry. She was a member of Eta Sigma Delta hospitality honors fraternity, Women in Business organization, the Society for Human Resources Management organization, Meeting Professionals International, and the Club Management Association of America. She volunteered at the Indiana Free Library. Haffling completed IUP’s Academy of Culinary Arts certificate program in 2015 and the Baking and Pastry certificate program in 2016, graduating from both programs with high honors.
Cambria County
Chloe Croft, a safety, health, and environmental applied sciences major from Johnstown. Daughter of Jeff Croft of Johnstown and Karin Croft of Johnstown, she is a 2021 graduate of Central Cambria High School.
She was inducted into Rho Sigma Kappa Safety Honor Society during her junior year and is a recipient of more than $30,000 in scholarships, including the Emily Lee Scholarship (2021 and 2023), Chevron Scholarship (2022 and 2023), American Society of Safety Professionals Western Pennsylvania Scholarship (2022 and 2023), Ohio Contractors Association Scholarship (2023), American Industrial Hygiene Foundation Scholarship (2023), American Society of Safety Professionals Foundation Scholarship (2023), Board of Certified Safety Professionals Scholarship (2023), Construction Advancement Program/Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship (2023), and the IUP American Society of Safety Professionals Student Section Educational Scholarship (2024). She was a member of a student research project studying steel mill workers and how they perceived safety culture and risk perception, and she presented this research on campus and at the Association for Iron & Steel Technology conference in Detroit.
She helped to found the new American Industrial Hygiene Association student section club on campus and was president during the 2023–24 academic year. She was vice president of the student section of the American Society of Safety Professionals and was a member of the IUP Ladies of Safety club. As a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals, she helped to set up a food drive on campus to help donate items to those in need. She also helped set up a fundraiser for a local child with Surf-1 Leigh Syndrome Mitochondrial Disease.
Kaitlyn Griffith, a biology major in the ecology, conservation, and evolutionary biology track from Johnstown. Daughter of Robert Griffith and Kelly and Mike Zemrose, she is a 2020 graduate of Richland High School.
Sydney Sheredy, a safety, health, and environmental applied science major from Northern Cambria. Daughter of Raymond and Tonya Sheredy, she is a 2020 graduate of Northern Cambria High School. She was a board member of the IUP American Industrial Hygiene Association student chapter, was a member of the Ladies of Safety Club, was social events chair for the American Society of Safety Professionals student chapter, completed US Steel Employee Hazard Recognition and Safety culture research, and presented at the Western Pennsylvania American Society of Safety Professionals Conference.
Jenna Stancombe, a public health major from Johnstown. Daughter of Richard and Allison Stancombe, she is a 2018 graduate of Ferndale Area High School. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Mountain Services Corps AmeriCorps, serving at the Cambria County Backpack Project.
Kailee St. Pierre, a criminology major in the Cook Honors College from Ebensburg. Daughter of Jon and Debbie St. Pierre, she is a 2021 graduate of Central Cambria High School. She was a Top 11 Finalist and Evening Gown Preliminary Award Winner at the 2023 Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition; Sutton Scholarship and Cook Honors College Scholarship recipient. She was recognized for academic achievement while a student at Penn Highlands Community College and Washington and Jefferson College. She was a member of the Fashion Association and the Alpha Phi Sigma criminology honor society, was president of the IUP Criminology Association, and was an IUP Student Government Association Advocacy Senator and Constitution Review member. She was a member of the Board of University Organizations Recognition Committee and the University Senate Committee on Student Affairs.
Clearfield County
Sophia Maloney, a chemistry major from DuBois. Daughter of Terry Maloney of DuBois and Faith Maloney of Pittsburgh, she is a 2020 graduate of DuBois Area Senior High School. She is the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award from the IUP Madia Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics, and Engineering.
Dauphin County
Jacob Drexler, a psychology honors program major and human resource management minor in the Cook Honors College from Hershey. Son of Michael Drexler and Christine Drexler, he is a 2020 graduate of Hershey High School. He is the recipient of the Sutton Scholarship, the Ready to Succeed Scholarship, and the Stanley Lore Psychology Scholarship and was selected for the Emerging Leader Award.
He was president and a senior advisor of Phi Eta Sigma honor society, was a member of the IUP Ambassadors student-alumni group, was a campus tour certified trainer, was a psychology department tutor, was captain and recruitment chair of IUP Ultimate Frisbee, completed an internship at Aramark in the human resources department, and volunteered as a supportive card writer for Indiana Regional Medical Center.
Elk County
Lauren Croyle, a psychology honors program major from Wilcox. Daughter of Jody Croyle of Wilcox and Denise Croyle of Kane, she is a 2020 graduate of Johnsonburg Area High School. She is the recipient of the Stanley Lore Psychology Scholarship. She volunteered as a research assistant and participated in the IUP Scholars Forum, presenting her research on I-sharing.
Erie County
Abigail Hancox, of Albion, a senior political science major with a minor in homeland security in the Cook Honors College. Daughter of Melissa Gibson and Mike Hancox of Albion, she is a 2021 graduate of Northwestern High School.
Hancox was appointed in June 2022 to serve as a student governor on the Pennsylvania State System Board of Governors. She recently completed her presidency of IUP’s Student Government Association. She was vice chair and conference chair of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Board of Student Government Presidents and organized the organization’s state-wide conference held at IUP in February. She was a senator in the IUP University Senate.
As a member of the Cook Honors College, she was an invited presenter for the National Collegiate Honors Council Association conference. She is a volunteer group leader for the Indiana Grace Church After School program.
She has been selected for a competitive James A. Finnegan Foundation Fellowship for the summer months. The Finnegan Foundation Fellowship provides the opportunity for selected students to be placed in summer internships in executive branch positions in Harrisburg for eight to 10 weeks and be part of a series of meetings with key public officials. Fellowship recipients receive a cash award at the conclusion of the internship and also earn weekly salaries paid by state agencies during their state government employment.
Hancox will be serving with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
She will continue her studies at IUP in two master’s programs: the IUP Student Affairs in Higher Education master’s degree program and IUP Public Affairs master’s degree program, where she will concentrate in local government management.
Fulton County
Shelby Harnish, a criminology major from Burnt Cabins. Daughter of Dawn Harnish and Greg Harnish, she is a 2020 graduate of Forbes Road Junior-Senior High School. She was a member of Alpha Phi Sigma criminal justice honor society, Phi Kappa Phi honor society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and the IUP Women’s Field Hockey Team and was president, vice president, and captain of the IUP Women’s Ice Hockey Club.
Huntingdon County
Sarah Cisney, a music education major from Mapleton Depot. Daughter of Jeff Cisney and Dana Cisney, she is a 2020 graduate of Southern Huntingdon County High School. She received the Sutton Scholarship, President’s Excellence Scholarship, American Association of University Women Scholarship, Legacy Brass Quintet Scholarship, Sigma Alpha Iota Sword of Honor, Sigma Alpha Iota Summer Music Scholarship, and Pennsylvania Ready to Succeed Scholarship, and was also invited to present her research at the American Association of University Women’s 2023 Summer Conference and the International Women’s Brass Conference in Japan this summer.
She was the president and vice president membership of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, state secretary-treasurer and IUP publicity chair of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association, music representative for the College of Arts and Humanities Student Advisory Board, president of the Campus Interfraternity Music Council, and social media manager for the IUP Trumpet Studio. She was a newsletter editor for the International Women’s Brass Conference, a volunteer for the International Trumpet Guild, and a mentor for the Future in Music Program. She was involved in more than 10 music ensembles and was the principal trumpet player in the IUP Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. She was a Conversation Partner for IUP international students and studied for a semester in Zagreb, Croatia.
Indiana County
Emily Akers, a criminology and theater major from Armagh. She is the daughter of Lisa Akers and the late Archie Akers and is a 2020 graduate of United High School. She is the recipient of the Michael Hood scholarship for theater, the Dean’s Merit Scholarship for theater, the Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence in Theater, and the Spinelli Memorial Scholarship for criminology. She was secretary of Alpha Phi Sigma criminology honor society and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega honor society and Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
Caroline Bianco, an accounting major from Indiana. Daughter of Thomas and Jennifer Bianco, she is a 2021 graduate of Indiana Area Senior High School. She received the Promising Scholars Scholarship, the Kuldeep Shastri Memorial Scholarship from the Financial Executives International Pittsburgh chapter, the Mackey Family Endowed Scholarship, and the Eberly College of Business Scholarship. She was a member of the IUP Student accounting association, the Student Managed Investment Portfolio group, the College of Business Student Advisory Council, and IUP Best Buddies, a program that pairs students with community members with disabilities.
Alaina Constantino, a finance and accounting major from Blairsville. Daughter of Richard and Connie Constantino, she is a 2021 graduate of Blairsville High School. She was a member of the Student Accounting Association, Student Finance Association, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Institute of Management Accountants. She completed an accounting internship in Audit, Tax, and Consulting at Sisterson & Co., LLP during the summer of 2023 and will do a second internship there during summer 2024. She was active in community events in her hometown, including local festivals and fundraisers such as Share the Joy and the annual Christmas cookie walk.
Amy Kukula, an English education and dance double major in the Cook Honors College from Blairsville. Daughter of Hank and Marilyn Kukula, she is a 2019 graduate of Blairsville High School. She was the Third-Year English Education Student of the Year and received the Claudette Dolan Service Award from the IUP English Department, a Dean’s Merit Scholarship for the College of Arts and Humanities, the Kappa Delta Pi honor society Dean's Award and Scholarship for Service, the Bridge Builder award from the IUP Center for Multicultural Student Leadership, and the Patricia Lommock Dance Theater Award and Scholarship. She won the third-place publication award during the Northeast Regional Honors Council conference. She was a member of the IUP Dance Theater Company, was a Crimson Guide, was project chair of the IUP chapter for Habitat for Humanity, was vice president of the National Council of Teachers of English, was secretary for Alpha Psi Omega honor society, was community service chair for Kappa Delta Pi honor society, was the editor of the Cook Honors College Alumni Newsletter, was a teaching artist for Footlight Players summer theater for youth, and was a judge in the dance category for the APPLES Foreign Language Festival. She did choreography for five years for Indiana Area Junior High School musicals.
Cleo McMahan, a biology major from Indiana. Daughter of Mark and Bonnie McMahan, she is a 2020 graduate of Indiana Area Senior High School. She is the Dr. Patricia Hilliard Robertson Scholarship recipient. A transfer student to IUP, she was honored at her previous university for academic excellence.
Michael Mazey, an accounting major in the Cook Honors College from Indiana. Son of Jeffrey Mazey and Lisa Mazey, he is a 2020 graduate of Indiana Area Senior High School. He was a Sutton Scholarship recipient and member of the Student Accounting Association. He volunteered at the Chevy Chase Community Center.
Dana Minser, an English Writing Studies major from Armagh. Daughter of Mark Minser and the late Irene Minser, she is a 1999 graduate of United High School. She is the T. Kenneth Wilson Scholar for 2021 and won second place in the creative nonfiction undergraduate writing awards competition in 2021. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society and Sigma Tau Delta English honor society, serving as chapter treasurer and vice president.
Loughlin Pagnucci, an economics and political science pre-law/homeland security major from Indiana. Son of Gian Pagnucci and Edel Reilly, he is a 2022 graduate of Indiana Area Senior High School. He worked as a tutor at the IUP Kathleen Jones White Writing Center, was a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Humanities, was a member of the IUP Symphony Orchestra, and was a community events organizer for the IUP Department of English. He was an active member of the Kickball Club, the Philosophy Club, and the Pre-Law Club. He participated in the Washington Center program and was an intern with Mid-Atlantic Sports Consultants. He also did an internship with the Indiana County Office of the District Attorney.
Sandra Shanshala, a general management, accounting, and human resources major with a minor in psychology from Indiana. Daughter of Michael and Melissa Shanshala, she is a 2018 graduate of Indiana Area Senior High School. She was president of the Eberly College of Business Student Advisory Council, was cohort leader for the Eberly Business Honors Program, and was a student member of the Eberly College of Business Strategic Planning Council. She was vice president and publicity chair for the Student Accounting Association and was the stock analyst for the healthcare sector for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio project. She was a student member of the S&T Board of Advisors. She was selected for membership in Phi Chi International Honors Society in psychology, Phi Eta Sigma honor society, and Beta Gamma Sigma international business honor society.
She was a member of the American Psychological Association and the Society for Clinical Neuropsychology (Division 40). She was alumni chair and special events chair of the IUP Ambassadors student-alumni association. She was a volunteer for the Eberly Mentorship Program, the IUP Food Pantry (responsible for managing donations in the Eberly College), the Homeless Heroes stocking project to benefit homeless veterans, raised funds for gift cards for paramedics and EMTs at Citizen’s Ambulance during the COVID-19 pandemic during her tenure as president of the College of Business Student Advisory Council, and volunteered at Maple Valley Personal Care Home.
Andrew Weaver, a natural science/pre-physician assistant major with a minor in chemistry in the Cook Honors College from Clymer. Son of Kirk Weaver and Amy Weaver, he is a 2020 graduate of Penns Manor High School.
Lycoming County
Kurtis Johnson, a computer science major from Hughesville. Son of Nathan and Robin Johnson, he is a 2019 graduate of Montoursville Area High School. He was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity.
Philadelphia County
Delilah Rivera, a finance major in the Cook Honors College from Philadelphia. Daughter of Kelly Bonner of Philadelphia and Edwin Rivera of Kissimmee, FL, she is a 2020 graduate of First Philadelphia Preparatory Charter School. She volunteered for the Ebensburg Potatofest community event and the local food bank.
Schuylkill County
Amanda Kehler, a general studies major with a concentration on interior design in the Cook Honors College from Pitman. Daughter of Rick and Laurie Kehler, she is a 2020 graduate of Tri-Valley Junior-Senior High School. She is the recipient of the Sutton Scholarship, the Ready to Succeed Scholarship, the Board of Governors Scholarship, the Cook Achievement Fund, and the Gratz Fair Scholarship.
She was a member of Phi Eta Sigma honor society and Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She was a member of the Coalition for Christian Outreach, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the National Kitchen and Bath Association IUP student chapter, and the American Society of Interior Designers IUP student chapter and did a study abroad experience with the Cook Honors College in Iceland. She volunteered at the Lykens Valley Children’s Museum, the Mahantongo Fire Company annual carnival, and Hegins Valley Fire Rescue annual carnival.
Snyder County
Emma Naugle, a special education major from Selinsgrove. Daughter of Elizabeth Ries and Andrew Naugle, she is a 2021 graduate of Selinsgrove Area High School. She was captain and co-captain of the IUP English Equestrian Team. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society, the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association, the Sign Language Club, the Council for Exceptional Children, and Best Buddies, a program matching IUP students with community members with disabilities. She was the IUP men’s basketball team operations manager.
Somerset County
Bryce Salyers, a computer science-cyber security track major from Boswell. Son of Jeremy and Angela Salyers, he is a 2021 graduate of North Star High School. He was a member of the Cyber Security Club at IUP.
Washington County
Jensen Maxwell, a marketing major in the Eberly College of Business honors program from Washington. Daughter of Cinda Maxwell and John Maxwell, she is a 2020 graduate of Canon-McMillan High School. She was the fundraising chair of the IUP American Marketing Association.
Westmoreland County
Molly Bobik, an exercise science major in the Cook Honors College from Latrobe. Daughter of Thomas Bobik and Ann Bobik, she is a 2020 graduate of Greater Latrobe High School.
Alex Heller, an English Writing Studies major from Lower Burell. Son of John and Dana Heller, he is a 2014 graduate of Burrell High School.
Malcolm Holden, a computer science-cyber security major from Vandergrift. Son of Lloyd Holden and Anne Holden, he is a 2020 graduate of Kiski Area High School. He is the recipient of the Sutton Scholarship and the Department of Defense Cyber Security Scholarship. He was president of the IUP Cyber Security Club.
Keely McKlveen, a speech language pathology major from New Alexandria. Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nathan McKlveen, she is a 2020 graduate of Derry Area High School. She is the recipient of Quota International of Indiana, PA’s speech-language pathology scholarship. She was a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, the Sign Language Club, and the Coalition for Christian Outreach.
Zach Miller, a criminology major from Lower Burrell. Son of Scott Miller and Colette Miller, he is a 2020 graduate of Burrell High School. He was a member of the IUP baseball program.
Madison Shafron, a criminology major from Latrobe. Daughter of Tom Shafron and Connie Shafron, she is a 2020 graduate of Greater Latrobe High School. She is a Sutton Scholarship recipient and Keller Scholar and is an early admissions student into IUP’s graduate program. She was selected for Phi Eta Sigma honor society, the Alpha Phi Sigma criminology justice honor society, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
York County
Cloe Thoericht, an exercise science major and nutrition minor from Stewartstown. Daughter of Maria and Brian Moxley of Stewartstown and Christopher Thoericht of Airville, she is a 2020 graduate of Kennard-Dale High School. She was the recipient of the Eugene Lepley Memorial Scholarship, the Presidential Fund for Excellence Women’s Athletic Scholarship, and the Young Alumni Achievement Award.
She was a member of the IUP women’s soccer team, the IUP Student Exercise Science Club, was secretary and representative of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, was a Firefighter Fit program volunteer, worked with the Department for Disability Access and Advising providing notetaking services and volunteered for the local YMCA Family Fun Day.