FLORHAM PARK — Shannon L. O’Brien earned a Master of Science with a major in occupational therapy from University of Scranton.
O’Brien was among more than 625 master’s and doctoral degree recipients at its graduate commencement ceremony on May 25 in the Byron Recreation Complex. Graduates recognized at the ceremony include those who completed their degree requirements in August and December of 2018, as well as January and May of 2019.
The University conferred three doctor of nursing practice degrees, 38 doctor of physical therapy degrees and more than 585 master’s degrees in various disciplines. Graduates represented several foreign countries and 39 states, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, among others. The programs with the most graduates at Scranton were the master of business administration, master of accountancy, master of health administration, occupational therapy and educational administration.
University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., addressed the graduates and their guests. Degrees were conferred by Father Pilarz upon candidates presented by Debra A. Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies; Murli Rajan, Ph.D., interim dean of the Kania School of Management; and Brian P. Conniff, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Also speaking at the ceremony were Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., provost and senior vice president for academic affairs; Julie Ann Nastasi, Sc.D., assistant professor of occupational therapy; Michael K. Short ’99, Alumni Society president; and Rev. John Sivalon, Ph.D., director of international learning programs.
Graduate students were honored for academic achievement in their specific academic area. Outstanding Academic Awards were presented to Lindsey H. Hayde, Center Valley, Doctor of Nursing Practice; and Lauren Elizabeth Bonitz, Endicott, New York, Doctor of Physical Therapy. Outstanding Academic Awards for master’s level programs were presented to the following graduates in the programs as listed: Christine Emily Ahrens, Reading, health informatics; Jacqueline Rose Bailey, Waverly Township, school counseling; Courtney L. Boag, Basking Ridge, New Jersey, special education; Hannah Bobrowski, Drums, general business administration; Amy Lynn Coppola, Lambertville, New Jersey, human resources; Malak Daas, Scranton, marketing; Matthew A. Fava, New Carrollton, Maryland, chemistry; Louis J. Finnerty, Old Forge, health administration; Emily E. Gardner, Huguenot, New York, occupational therapy; Lauren Michelle Jurbala, Avoca, family nurse practitioner; Kari S. Koval, Leola, clinical chemistry; Amanda C. Lara, Hazleton, clinical mental health counseling; Erika V. Maxson, Greentown, secondary education; Ethan Chad Moser, Boyertown, finance; Daniel R. Muthersbaugh, Boyertown, operations management; Kayleen Elizabeth Notchick, Bellefonte, curriculum and instruction; Viren J. Patel, Scranton, biochemistry; Lindsay M. Pine, Vestal, New York, nurse anesthesia; Bobbi Lou Pino-y-Torres, Marquette, Michigan, healthcare management; Kyle James Potter, Mahopac, New York, finance; Sara T. Rizzo, Danbury, Connecticut, accounting; Pierre Richard Seche, Sunrise, Florida, human resources; Stephen Michael Skierski, Scott Township, theology; Jennifer Ann Whigham, Owego, New York, enterprise resource planning; Mara Catherine Wolfe, Ringtown, rehabilitation counseling; Donna Ann Yoder, Eagle, Colorado, accountancy; and Kurt Eric Zimmermann, Rockaway, New Jersey, educational administration.
The University of Scranton is a Jesuit university located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
