Penn State Brandywine held May 4 commencement exercises for 130 graduates receiving their bachelor’s degrees.

The spring 2024 ceremony took place in the campus gymnasium. Four students were awarded associate degrees.

Brandywine Chancellor Marilyn J. Wells commended the graduates for their persistence that led to the milestone occasion.

“To our graduates, you have earned your degrees today in many ways and for many reasons, but not least because you persisted brilliantly throughout your time on this campus and away from it,” Wells said.

The chancellor praised the graduates for persisting through world-altering events, as well as ““problem sets, writing assignments, laboratories, midterms, finals, research projects, and the personal crises and doubts that are an inevitable part of the college experience and, indeed, of life more generally.”

The graduates are celebrated so enthusiastically at Penn State Brandywine because getting to, and crossing the finish line is hard, she said.

“I know that, whatever you do, you will make Penn State proud and that you will put your talents, creativity and character to work in ways that we can scarcely imagine today.”

Graduate Jessica James, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, presented welcoming remarks and led the recognition of the flags. She played on Brandywine’s softball, soccer, and basketball teams, and is in the Army National Guard.

“Juggling academics, three sports and military commitments was no small feat, and it never would have been possible without an incredibly supportive network of mentors and peers,” James said..

She thanked her family, teammates and coaches.

“You encouraged me to embrace challenges, even those that seemed daunting at first. … Serving our nation is something I am extremely proud of, and as I look out at all the faces of generations in this room, I am honored to know I am serving something much more than myself, but all of you.”

Three graduating students served as commencement speakers: Jessica Gore, Zhane Brooks and Fallah Bockarie.

Gore, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, was active in numerous campus clubs and served as president of the Student Government Association for two years.

His journey to Penn State started thousands of miles away, “in the small, vibrant island nation of Trinidad and Tobago,” Gore said.

 He’s been on a steep but rewarding learning curve ever since.

“These experiences opened my eyes, broadened my perspective and allowed me to understand the nuanced complexities of the American experience. … In this world that puts an emphasis on the outward appearance, focusing on who we are is a unique challenge, but it is a challenge worth undertaking.”

Brooks, who earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, served as president of Lion Pride.

Leading the Lion Pride club and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community were among her proudest accomplishments at Penn State Brandywine, she said.

Fallah Bockarie, vice president of the Black Student Union, earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology.

He described Penn State Brandywine as a “melting pot of cultures, ideas and perspectives.”

“Let us carry forward the spirit of inclusivity and celebrate the diversity that enriches our world. Embracing the unique stories and experiences of others fosters empathy, compassion and understanding. Let us strive to create an inclusive society where every voice is heard, and every individual is valued,” he said.

Keynote speaker at this year’s commencement was Justin Rosenberg, a 2004 Penn State graduate.

Rosenberg is founder and chief executive officer of honeygrow, a fast-casual stir-fry and salad concept founded in Philadelphia in 2012 that has grown to 42 restaurants in seven states.

“At Penn State, I discovered my love for creativity and desire to spend my life doing something that truly excited me,” Rosenberg said.

At Penn State, he discovered resilience and the need to push ahead no matter what.

““I learned how important connection and positivity are in everyday moments, especially in my line of work,” he said.

Customers want to go to restaurants where they know the team cares, he said.

“In a world where communication has gone so cold, be the light that makes it warm for everyone again. Be the exception, not the standard,” he told the graduates.

Along with conferring the degrees, Chief Academic Officer Jennifer Nesbitt recognized graduates who earned academic distinction for graduating in the top 12 percent of their class within their respective colleges.

The students are:

• Summa cum laude: Katrina Robinson
• Magna cum laude: Azadeh Ghashami and Cuong Pham
• Cum laude: Khalidah Ballan, Nicholette Becker, Naimah Dristi, Michael Hertzler, Nathanial Laskey, Obaid Al-Rehman Mohsin and Nicholas Alexander Salvey.

Michael Gambol, president of the Penn State Brandywine Advisory Board, and Meaghan Daly, president of the Penn State Brandywine Alumni Society, offered greetings and congratulations to the graduates.

Accompanying the ceremony was the Lenape Brass Ensemble, performing Pomp and Circumstance, the National Anthem and the Penn State Alma Mater.

Penn State Brandywine, with more than 1,200 students, is a residential campus offering 14 baccalaureate programs and the first two years of nearly all of Penn State’s 275+ majors.