Indiana University of Pennsylvania will hold a commencement ceremony on December 13 for 459 graduates who have completed academic requirements for their degrees in December and January 2026.
The ceremony will include remarks by two students, including a Jefferson County graduate receiving her bachelor’s degree with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, and a Montgomery County graduate receiving her master’s degree.
The ceremony includes recognition of 15 undergraduate students who completed undergraduate studies with perfect 4.0 grade point averages, including two area graduates.
The ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex.
The ceremonies will be broadcast live on the university’s YouTube channel; links to the broadcasts are available on the IUP Commencement website. After the event, the video recorded during the livestream will be available on the website. The webcast will begin 15 minutes before the actual start of the ceremony.
Of the graduates, 289 have earned bachelor’s degrees, 147 earned master’s degrees, 21 completed requirements for doctoral degrees, and there are two associate degree graduates.
Of the bachelor’s degree applicants, 149 qualify for honors (3.25 or above cumulative grade point average). The total number of undergraduates by college are: 70 from the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs; 50 from the Eberly College of Business; 42 from the College of Education and Human Services; 76 from the College of Health Sciences; 41 from the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and 12 from the University College.
IUP President Michael Driscoll will preside over both ceremonies. All students participating in commencement ceremonies will be recognized by name and congratulated on stage.
The graduate student address will be presented by Hannah McNeill, from Gilbertsville, who is receiving a master of science degree in sport management. McNeill, daughter of Pete McNeill and Gayle McNeill, is a 2021 graduate of Boyertown Area Senior High School. While at IUP, she was in the Eberly College of Business Honors Program and led the executive board of the Sport Management Club. She was a graduate assistant for the Sport Management program, was a marketing intern at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex, and worked as a staff member at the Kovalchick Complex box office.
The undergraduate student address will be presented by Nevaeh Parente, of Punxsutawney, who is receiving a bachelor of science degree in speech and language pathology at the ceremony and who is graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Parente, daughter of Justin and Ashley Parente, Coolspring, is a 2022 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School. She began her studies at IUP at Punxsutawney.
IUP Distinguished University Professor Alex Heckert from the Department of School Psychology, Special Education, and Sociology, will present remarks.
Marisol Gonzalez Flores, who is pursuing dual degrees in criminology and geology and is a member of the Cook Honors College from Kennett Square, will present the Student Giving address. Daughter of Alfredo Gonzalez Cruz and Maria Flores Ortiz, she is a 2022 graduate of Kennett Square High School. A provost scholar and dean’s list student, she is the recipient of a Cook Honors College Scholarship and a Promising Scholars scholarship. President of the IUP Ambassadors student-alumni group, she is social media chair of the Geological Society of IUP and is a member of the Latino Student Organization. She was selected as the 2025 Crimson Court representative from the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Georgia L. Heintzman, from Reading, who is receiving a bachelor of science degree in education-music education at the ceremony, will sing the National Anthem and the IUP alma mater.
IUP Alumni Association Board of Directors Vice President Sara Barnett Lawer will offer greetings from the Alumni Association at the ceremony. Lawer, of Indiana, earned a bachelor’s degree from IUP in 2006 in education of exceptional persons and a master’s degree in 2008 in student affairs in higher education.
In addition to Parente, undergraduate students graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average are:
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Ciana Brady, a biology major who also earned a secondary science education teaching certificate, from Philadelphia. Daughter of Julia Brady and Robert Brady, she is a 2022 graduate of Philadelphia Academy Charter High School. She was treasurer of the IUP Outdoors Club and was a member of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association.
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Taylor Burkholder, a disability services major and deaf studies minor in the Cook Honors College from Hummelstown. Child of Jeannine Burkholder, Jeff Burkholder, Patti Pringle, and David Pringle, they are a 2022 graduate of Hershey High School. Burkholder was the first freshman recipient of the IUP Ray Coppler Disability Awareness Award. They were president of the IUP Sign Language Club, student director of the IUP Disability Awareness Resources Room, member of the Delta Alpha Pi Disability Honors Fraternity, and student member of the IUP Disciplinary Board.
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Mason Cymbor, a Spanish major in the Cook Honors College who also earned a Spanish education PK-12 certificate, of Saltsburg. Son of Ronald and Janice Cymbor, he is a 2021 graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School. He is the recipient of the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish and is a member of Sigma Delta Pi National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, the IUP German Club, and participated in a Cultural American French Exchange (CAFÉ French Club).
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Jennifer Dumbeck, a vocational technical education major from Cranberry Township. Daughter of David and Nora Kemp from Greensburg, she is a 2005 graduate of Greater Latrobe High School.
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Mikenna Farabaugh, a nutrition and dietetics major from Emporium. Daughter of Kelli Farabaugh and Eric Farabaugh, she is a 2022 graduate of Cameron County High School. She is a recipient of the Sutton Scholarship, is a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Scholar, and was the undergraduate coordinator for Food and Nutrition Program Ambassadors, National Nutrition Month chair for Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics, treasurer for Holistic Health Club, and secretary for the Student Association of Allied Health Simulations.
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James Fleming, a special education PK-12 major from Indiana. Son of Nina Fleming of Indiana and Jimmy Fleming of St. George, South Carolina, he is a 1989 graduate of Glendale High School.
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Celeste Hartle, a psychology major from Chicora. Daughter of Tim Hartle and Shannon Payne, she is a 2022 graduate of Karns City Area High School.
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Janene Hodge, a human development and family science major from Pittsburgh. Daughter of Patrick Hodge and Irene Hodge, she is a 2019 graduate of North Hills High School.
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Kennady Lorrah-Pfeifer, a criminology major in the Cook Honors College from Nazareth. Daughter of Traci Hoadley and Jason Hoadley, she is a 2022 graduate of Pen Argyl High School. At IUP, she was a resident assistant, member of North Area Residence Hall Council, and Rho Alpha Sigma Resident Assistant Honor Society. She also was a member of the University Choir, the IUP Figure Skating Team, Criminology Association, and Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society, and completed an internship at the Indiana County District Attorney’s Office.
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Katie McCormick, a sport management major in the Cook Honors College from Ashland. Daughter of Justine McCormick and Randy McCormick, she is a 2022 graduate of North Schuylkill Junior Senior High School. She is the recipient of the PSAC Scholar-Athletic Award and was a finalist for the 2025 Eugene E. Lepley Memorial Scholarship. She was a member of the Women’s Cross Country Team, Women’s Track and Field Team, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Sport Management Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She volunteered for Special Olympics, for high school cross country meets hosted by IUP and the Indiana County cross country championships, was a student worker for the 2024 PSAC indoor track and field championships, the Indiana Regional Medical Center Love of Life 5K walk-run, and the YMCA Healthy Kids Running Series, and was a waitress for Rosebud Mining Company’s holiday party.
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Jonah Schreckengast, a marketing major from Williamsport. Son of Kenneth Schreckengast and Laura Schreckengast, he is a 2022 graduate of Loyalsock Township High School. He was in the Eberly College of Business Honors Program, received a Sutton Scholarship, was a member of the American Marketing Association and the Student Photography Club, and worked at The Penn student newspaper.
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Savannah Schultis, a speech language pathology major from Allison Park. Daughter of Richard Schultis and Lynda Schultis, she is a 2022 graduate of Shaler Area High School. She was a member of the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association.
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Aleaha Snyder, a psychology major from Altoona. Daughter of Troy and Nicole Snyder, she is a 2022 graduate of Altoona High School. She is the recipient of the IUP Stanley W. Lore Psychology Scholarship, a member of Psi Chi International Psychology Honor Society, and was president of the IUP Psychology Club.
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Freeman Wilson, a criminology major in the Cook Honors College from Harrisburg. He is the son of Annmarie Wilson and is a 2022 graduate of Susquehanna Township High School. He received the PSAC Champion Scholar Award and is a three-time winner of the Scholar-Athlete Award. He was a member of the IUP football team and Alpha Phi Sigma criminology honors fraternity and was a member of the Sustainability Club.
Information about parking is available on the IUP website. Due to the close proximity of the parking lots, shuttle service will not be provided for the winter ceremony; ADA parking for the ceremony is available in the Stadium South parking lot. For questions about commencement parking, call the IUP Parking and Visitors Services office at 724-357-8748.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025 and through the Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.