PennWest to celebrate fall 2025 graduates

Commencement ceremonies will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses.

For the MVI

Pennsylvania Western University will honor its fall 2025 graduates during simultaneous commencement ceremonies Saturday across the California, Clarion and Edinboro campuses.

Undergraduate and graduate students from the College of Health Sciences and Human Services, the College of Education, Arts and Humanities, and the College of Science, Technology and Business will participate in the 10 a.m. ceremonies.

The ceremonies will be livestreamed.

“Commencement is a moment when hard work becomes opportunity,” said PennWest President Dr. Jon Anderson. “Our graduates have persevered, grown, and distinguished themselves, and we are proud to celebrate all they have achieved. We look forward to the impact they will make in their professions and communities.”

Nearly 900 students from the California, Clarion, Edinboro and online campuses will graduate this fall and winter, although not all of them have chosen to participate in the ceremonies.

Faculty mace bearers will represent their colleagues at each ceremony. The mace bearer distinction emphasizes the importance of faculty in PennWest’s academic environment and the central role that faculty play in the academic and personal development of students.

For more information and a livestream link, visit https:// www.pennwest.edu/about/ events/commencement/.

Anderson will deliver greetings and confer degrees at the Convocation Center on the California campus.

Leading the academic procession by carrying the ceremonial mace will be Dr. Robert Skwarecki, professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Alexis Steenburg, of Coal Township, Pa., will deliver the student address. Steenburg is earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in law and justice, an associate degree in engineering technology with a concentration in electrical engineering technology, and a minor in honors interdisciplinary studies. She has held leadership roles in Panhellenic Council, Alpha Sigma Alpha, the Student Honors Advisory Board, and the Student Government Association. A dedicated ambassador and orientation leader, Alexis has earned multiple leadership awards and represented PennWest at regional and national conferences.

Barbara Logue, member of the PennWest Council of Trustees, and A. Tereasa Rerko (California ’79, ’20), president of the California Alumni Association, will also address the graduates.