DOVER — Santiago Rodriguez of Dover was among the nearly 70 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2024 who participated in the Jesuit school’s Donning of the Stole Ceremony. The annual ceremony celebrates and honors the accomplishments of members of its graduating class from underrepresented identities who received their undergraduate degrees. The purpose of the ceremony, which was a student-led initiative, was to highlight the students’ success in overcoming the particular barriers and obstacles faced by students from these groups, particularly students of color, in attaining a higher education.
The students honored include outstanding academic and leadership achievement award recipients, future physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, accountants, teachers, engineers, nurses, and many other highly successful members of the University’s graduating class.
Narissa O. Hill, an early and primary teacher education major from Nashua, New Hampshire, spoke on behalf of the class of 2024 at the ceremony that took place on campus on May 18 as part of Scranton’s commencement activities and events. Also speaking at the ceremony were Robert C. Walker, a counseling and human services major from Jersey City, New Jersey; Lauren Rivera, J.D., M.Ed., vice president for student life and dean of students; Shaefny Grays, Ed.D., assistant dean of culture and inclusion; Jose Sanchez, assistant director of the University’s Cultural Centers; and Deniya Thompson, of Scranton’s class of 2020, who offered the Closing Prayer.
Rodriguez earned a bachelor’s degree in international business with a minor in Mandarin and a concentration in Asian Studies. He was a Scranton Dean’s List student.
The University of Scranton is a Jesuit university located in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
