The Penn State Abington campus community celebrated the Class of 2024 during two ceremonies on May 3, praising the almost 350 new graduates for their fortitude despite the interference of the pandemic in their early college years. 

Interim Chancellor Andrew August reminded the audience that each generation has experiences that shape and influence them just as 9/11 and the Vietnam War did for their parents and grandparents.  

“For your cohort, the pandemic disrupted your education and your transformations to adulthood. Yet you rose to the occasion. You turned challenges into opportunities — and everyone here today is so proud of you for doing so,” August said. 

For keynote speaker Jacklin Rhoads, this commencement was a homecoming. The 2008 Abington graduate serves as the director of public affairs and marketing for the Office of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. She, too, praised the students for rewriting the book on the college experience. 

“You did the work — from your bedrooms, kitchen tables and basements. … Don’t discount what that means as you head out into the world. That kind of adaptability takes a strong mind, commitment to the task, and perseverance,” she said. 

About 60 high-achieving students were recognized at the ceremonies, including 47 who completed their degrees with honors. Two new alumni earned dual degrees:  

• Chad Skinner graduated with two bachelor of science degrees, one in business and the other in finance.   
• Rahom Tafesse earned bachelor of science degrees in business and another in project and supply chain management. 

Seven scholars received their Schreyer Honors College medals: Nour Alatki, Kyleigh Byers, Anastasiya Datsenko, Rufaida Haque, Delilah Jabbour, Taylor LaPage and Skinner. The Schreyer Honors College at Penn State is recognized as one of the foremost undergraduate honors programs in the United States. 

Byers, in her remarks as the afternoon ceremony’s valedictorian, quoted Afrofuturist and author Octavia Butler, “All that you touch, you change. All that you change, changes you.” 

Lasha Kaliashvili, the valedictorian for the morning ceremony who earned a degree in computer science, elected not to speak. The valedictorian at each spring ceremony is chosen by campus leaders with several factors weighing into their selection, including academic achievement and campus or community involvement. 

Two students were designated as student marshals at each ceremony due to their academic achievements. Ryan Gaffney and Joseph Schreiner Jr. led the student processional at 10 AM, and the Class of 2024 followed Rufaida Haque and Pegasus Yang into the Athletic Building at 2 PM.

Read more about the ceremony on Penn State Abington’s website.

Spring Commencement 2024 Morning Ceremony 5-3-2024