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A&A Graduating Students

Celebrating A&A students

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Celebration Videos
Student Marshals
Graduating with Distinction
Graduating Students by Degree

Congratulations all graduating students

We encourage you to explore the videos on this page. Learn about the College of Arts and Architecture undergraduate student marshals and students graduating with distinction. You also can view the complete lists of graduate and undergraduate students graduating this semester.

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College & Program

Undergraduate Student Marshals

College of Arts and Architecture

Ronan Shaw

Bachelor of Arts in Art
Bachelor of Arts in Art History

Ronan Shaw is graduating with bachelor of arts degrees in art and art history, with a certificate in museum studies and additional studies in Italian. Since coming to Penn State, he has expanded his knowledge of art history through a series of internships and research experiences with the Center for Virtual/Material Studies, the Palmer Museum of Art, and the Department of Art History. He has also presented his art historical research in Virginia, Maryland, and New York at professional, juried conferences. His visual art has been shown at multiple on-campus galleries in a variety of mediums that explore identity and the human body. He has won numerous Penn State awards, including a Valley Family Scholarship, the Josephine J. and David C. Rhea Endowment for Excellence in Italian Studies, an Arts and Architecture Alumni Society Scholarship, and a College of Arts and Architecture Creative Achievement Award. After graduating, he will attend the University of Florida to pursue an M.A. in art history with plans to ultimately pursue a Ph.D. He is grateful to his family, friends, and mentors for their invaluable support and guidance.

Department of Architecture

Mia Fantasia

Bachelor of Architecture
Architectural History Minor
Residential Construction Minor (College of Engineering)

During Mia Fantasia’s time in the Stuckeman School, she served as a research assistant for Professor Mehrdad Hadighi on the Mill Owners’ Association Building project. She is a recipient of the Alma Heinz and August Louis Pohland Scholarship, as well as the SchraderGroup Award for Excellence in Architecture. Mia gained professional experience as an architectural intern at HDR in 2022 and KTGY in 2023. At Penn State, she served as fundraising chair for the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) THON Committee and later joined the THON Rules and Regulations Committee. Beyond her architectural pursuits, Mia expresses her artistic talents through oil paintings, graphite drawings, and murals, often using her art to support charitable causes. Following graduation, she plans to embark on her professional journey with a firm in the Baltimore, Maryland, area.

Department of Art History

Megan Neely

Bachelor of Arts in Art History
Global and International Studies Minor (College of the Liberal Arts)
Italian Minor (College of the Liberal Arts)

Megan Neely has been involved in a range of activities during her time at Penn State. In 2022, she interned at the Center for Virtual/Material Studies, where she researched and cataloged the School of Theatre’s 3,000-piece Fashion Archive. She also began working in the University Libraries, assisting patrons with their research. In spring 2023, she studied abroad at the University of Auckland in New Zealand. This year, she served as vice president of the College of Arts and Architecture Student Council. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, dance, and ceramics. After graduation, Megan will pursue graduate studies in art history at Florida State University.

Department of Graphic Design

Carson Schultz

Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design
Sociology Minor (College of the Liberal Arts)

Throughout his time at Penn State, Carson Schultz has immersed himself in hands-on experiences that allowed him to refine his skills and explore different facets of graphic design. Carson began his undergraduate career as a lead page designer at the Daily Collegian, eventually moving into the position of multimedia editor, where he oversaw the production of Emmy-nominated multimedia content. He has also collaborated with various student organizations and Penn State entities, including CommAgency, Penn State Law and School of International Affairs, and TEDxPSU, providing design solutions to meet their diverse needs. After graduation, he will join Deloitte Digital as a design analyst, creating and implementing digital strategy, design, and advertising solutions for government clients.

Integrative Arts Program

Mark Edgar, Jr.

Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Advertising (Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications)

Throughout Mark Edgar’s academic journey, he has engaged in multiple marketing and social media internships, while also serving as an event coordinator and merchandise designer for Movin’ On, Penn State’s student-run music festival. Additionally, he contributed as a teaching assistant in printmaking classes. Mark co-founded a sustainable platform for Penn State students to buy, sell, and trade apparel, showcasing his dedication to fostering a sustainable campus environment. In his final semester at Penn State, Mark began working for Depop, a fashion marketplace app committed to sustainability within the fashion industry. After graduation, Mark plans to move to New York to pursue a career in fashion and advertising.

Department of Landscape Architecture

Rebecca Jones

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

During her time at Penn State, Rebecca Jones had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain and Germany, where she worked with students and professors of different cultures. Since her first year, she has been involved with Storehouse, a campus ministry, in addition to working as a teaching assistant and serving as a class rep her last semester on campus. Rebecca has received multiple merit-based departmental awards. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a master of architecture degree.

School of Music

Alex Almonte

Bachelor of Music Education
Deafness and Hearing Studies Minor (College of Health and Human Development)

Alex Almonte is a Schreyer Honors Scholar and Presidential Leadership Academy Fellow. He served as a resident assistant for two years and has been actively engaged in organizations such as the Penn State Filipino Association, THON, and many of Penn State’s musical ensembles. Alex studied abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico; London, England; and Dublin, Ireland, where he focused on the relationships between culture and performance. He has applied his studies in various education programs, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Summer Academy. After graduation, Alex plans to teach in the public schools while continuing his studies of culture and performance around the globe.

School of Theatre

Samantha Forrest

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre – Stage Management option

Samantha Forrest has been an involved member of her community during her time at Penn State. In addition to contributing to numerous productions in the School of Theatre both as a stage manager and a props artisan, Sam has worked with Penn State Opera Theatre, Movin' On, and the Bryce Jordan Center. She has served as a board member of the Student Diversity Committee in the School of Theatre and as the social media and public relations/marketing chair for the Design, Technology, and Management program. Beyond Penn State, Sam has worked across the country in theatre, opera, and events, including at Barrington Stage Company, St. Ann's Warehouse, and the Santa Fe Opera. After graduation, Sam will work at Bard College's Fisher Center for the Arts for the summer season and then continue to work as a stage manager on a freelance basis.

School of Visual Arts

Gillian Sturtz

Bachelor of Design in Digital Arts and Media Design

Gillian Sturtz initially wanted to become an illustrator, but Penn State’s interdisciplinary program pushed her abilities and allowed her to discover an unlikely combination in the visual arts – 3D modeling and interactive design. Serving as an officer for Penn State’s Digital Media Group for three years, Gillian advocated for collaboration among creative disciplines, educated members on various digital programs, and organized guest speaker events with industry professionals. During her junior year, she studied under film director Tim Szabics and concept artist Marco Mazzoni as a creature design artist intern for Zeke Meets Mommy’s Little Angel. That same year, she also served as a student volunteer at SIGGRAPH, the world’s largest computer graphics conference. After graduation, she plans to pursue a master's degree in interactive design and video game development.

Summa | Magna | Cum Laude

Graduating with Distinction

Subject to completion of all degree requirements and satisfaction of minimum criteria, distinction may be conferred as indicated upon the individuals listed herein and upon such others as may meet the requirements. Distinction is conferred on graduates who have completed the required number of credits at the University and who are in the top 12 percent of their graduating class in their college. The 12 percent is divided into: the top 2 percent – Summa Cum Laude, the next 4 percent – Magna Cum Laude, and the following 6 percent – Cum Laude.

Summa Cum Laude

Alex Tan Almonte
Sarah Grace Esslinger
Justin Tarren Kaw
Ronan James Shaw
Beatrix Stickney
Gillian Irene Sturtz

Magna Cum Laude

Laura Baxter
Mia Gabrielle Fantasia
Samantha Forrest
Cecilia Elaine Garcia
David Matthew Hutchinson
Andrew Christopher Khuu
Malcolm Margaret MacKenzie
Nicole Lorrayne McFadden-Derer
Megan Elizabeth Neely
Kevin Matthew Palm
Allison Jean Walter
Lauren Alyssa Wellar

Cum Laude

Sophia Mae Alexander
Stella G. Begnal
Sierra Lee Brandon
Meghan Ashley Briggs
Frank Robert Cloke
Megan Elizabeth Dale
Nehama Frances Dormont
Jacob Maxwell Green
Kathryn Anne Gross
Arushi Grover
Evan Thomas Harbaugh
Gabrielle Elaine Harris
Liyan Jin
Craig John
Minju Michelle Lee
Dylan Samantha Lugosi
Jacob Elijah Malizio
John Martin
Quinn Kerr McDonald
Sara Grace Meola
Kahley Jane Mitchell
Sophia Elizabeth Nicholson
Alex Thomas Petersen
Daniella Marie Propato
Carson Schultz
Emily Simpson
Richard Olugbenro Sodeinde
Madison L. Travaglino

Spring 2024

Graduating Students

Bachelor of Architecture

Joshua Daniel Kweku Achampong
Grescia Elizabeth Aguilar Gaviria
Alisa Nana-Yaa Asare
Justin Becker
Noah Thomas Bennett
Sol Braxton
Marisa Concetta Calbi
Bryson Laine Clingerman
Kieron Richard Cook
Allyson Elizabeth Everlof
Mia Gabrielle Fantasia
Andrew Ferreri
Christopher Ferro
Adam Figueroa
Erin Marie Fisher
Jenna Lynne Folk
Esteban Galindo-Carvajal
Esther Goldberg Karfunkelstein Lima
Olivia Lina Heim
Mila Hirsch
Emily A. Hoke
Khushalee Inamdar
Lea Jabbour
Luka Jovanovic
Lora Kateley
Edward Ferdinand Kaufman IV
Lauren Lapomardo
Audrey Yuet Leung
Kali Lynn Lewis
Hung Manh Kyle Luong
Esmael Maalej
John Martin
Abby Miller
Jackson Shelby Myers
Meghan Marie Nelson
Chloe Nicholson
Michael Anthony Overdorff
Leia Mae Parry
Alyssa Marie Penrod
Alex Thomas Petersen
Joshua Pontell
Hannah Elizabeth Rhine
Ashton Joseph Sarandrea
Luke F. Scanlon
Carmen Miranda Seybold
Richard Olugbenro Sodeinde
Rebecca Strauss
Megan Elizabeth Syrek
Gabriel Tamblin
Amelia Toomey
Cara Trettel

Master of Architecture

Dillon Brown
Kimberly Cunningham
Allison Faux
Tariq Kenanah
Hiranshi Patel
Donny Reisch
Nathalie Vargas
Abigail Wallar
Mengyao Zhang

Master of Science in Architecture

Arjun Kizhakkemarakkattil Janardhana
Parinaz Mansourimajoumerd
Holly Zimmerman

Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

Elizabeth Andrzejewski
Lacey Goldberg

Bachelor of Arts

Meghan Ashley Briggs
Yasmeen Ziad H. Khazindar
Lauren Dinerman Maher
Megan Elizabeth Neely
Ronan James Shaw
Allison Jean Walter

Master of Arts

Alexander Coberly
Ariana Garcia Ramirez
Annalise Palmer
Grace Tran

Bachelor of Design

Sophia Mae Alexander
Paige Bish
Megan Elizabeth Dale
Hannah Rose FitzGerald
Kathryn Anne Gross
Joshua Sevel Guinn
Gabrielle Elaine Harris
Peyton Alexander Harris
Ramir Johnson
Sara Grace Meola
Carson Schultz
Makenna E. Seidel
Dustin Warner Sites
Jessica Stencel
Lauren Elizabeth Tarigo

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Lindsey Grace Anderson
Alexis Marie Coyle
Christian Cole Dominguez
Beiqi Feng
Rebecca Catherine Jones
Parker Jonathan Kingshipp
Xuanjun Liu
Tegan Joe-Ji Lochner
Izuchukwu Chimerenma Okereke
Joseph Spatola
Hailey Elizabeth Sukols
Paige Jillian Swope-Ginley
Adam Tak

Master of Landscape Architecture

Jonathan Berlin
Andrew Kuka
Mohammad Rezvan

Master of Science in Landscape Architecture

Chelsea Russ
Michael Saltarella

Master of Professional Studies in Geodesign

Michael Cullen
Daniel Hoffman

Bachelor of Arts

Megan Lynn Costik
Mark Bryan Edgar Jr.
Andrea Santana
Bethany Simon

Bachelor of Arts

Isander Fernandez
Isabel Grace Healy
Jakob Nickels
Grace Patterson
Ailish Franchelle Quiñones Rivera
Jason Paul Scansaroli
Evan Hugh Zakovic

Bachelor of Music

Chandler Robert Cleric
Sarah Grace Esslinger
Ryder Haines
Erica Jordan Harvey
Isabel Grace Healy
Jessica Kathleen Heisey
Kahley Jane Mitchell
Madison L. Travaglino
Alex Tan Almonte
Madison Apple

Bachelor of Music Education

Laura Baxter
Frank Robert Cloke
Nehama Frances Dormont
Sarah Grace Esslinger
Samuel Fisher
Jacob Maxwell Green
Benjamin Lyndale Haas
Benjamin Hochman
David Matthew Hutchinson
Kevin Matthew Palm
Julian Michael Shay
Jaime Morgan Soutos
Piper Reece Weldon
Samuel Joseph Wetzel

Bachelor of Musical Arts

Liyan Jin

Master of Music in Composition

Han Hitchen

Master of Music in Conducting

Jeffrey Chan
Ying Lam Eva Chu
James Gates

Master of Music in Performance

Jaden Adkins
John Cameron
Katelyn Estep
Ashley Godwin
Benjamin Morrison
Enzo Oliveira
Joey Smith
Ruth Stokes
Vinicius Vieira
Zephyr Wills
Rui Xue
Andrew Zall

Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy

Allie Brault
Ben Lewandowski
Nicholas Stark

Master of Music Education

Aaron King

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance

Pei-Jhen Gong
Wenyi Xiong
Daniyar Yessimkhanov

Bachelor of Arts

Makenzie Marie Arone
Miriam Rose Colvin
Nicole Marie Demers
Katherine Gebel Dinsmore
Arushi Grover
Olivia Annarose Hungate
Alexandra Elizabeth LaMassa
Jacob Elijah Malizio
Nicole Lorrayne McFadden-Derer

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Lauren Elizabeth Bretl
Jack Joseph Briggs
Carter Evren Celgin
Samantha Forrest
Victor Armando Hernandez
Audrey B. Lewis
Mason Kase LoPiccolo
Anna Claire Lustig
Quinn Kerr McDonald
Lauren Aliya Petrocelli
Hailey Marlowe Sanchez
Skyler Emily Sandner
Emily Simpson
Kayla Sliger
Beatrix Stickney
Abigail Jane VandenBrul
Connor Westhoff

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting

Hannah Maye Armstrong
Cecilia Elaine Garcia
Korey Martin Grecek
Dylan Andrew Henderson
Grace Wendler Lyons
Malcolm Margaret MacKenzie
Sophia Elizabeth Nicholson
Shane Lovelace Troxell

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

Nicholas Charles Brogan
Aria Christina Evans
Minju Michelle Lee
Amirah Joy Lomax
Dylan Samantha Lugosi
Noi Nuria Maeshige
Jackson Pavlik
Jonah Adam Schwartz
Owen Ashbery Smith

Master of Fine Arts

Andre Brandao de Castro
Raymond Reehill
Erin Stanek
Erin Stumm

Bachelor of Arts

Haleem Jawan Abdullah
Joseph James Barnes
Aliza Jane Blackburn
Meghan Ashley Briggs
Andie Julia Carden
Chloe Elizabeth Costa
Lilly Marygrace Eiswerth
Taylor Louise Hardesty
Catherine Jeanne Ongsiako
Mab Vera Rongione
Ronan James Shaw
Margo Ann Silverman
Madeline Yahn
Chenjie Yang
Zhiling Zhang
Tingwei Zhao

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Madelyn Rose Ade
Abdul Adl Oyindamola Just Balogun
Zoe A. Eddy
David Rose Kunisch
Victoria M. Oishi
Daniella Marie Propato
Marianna Prescott Renda
Allison Jean Walter
Sarah Ann Winter

Bachelor of Design in Digital Arts and Media Design

Stella G. Begnal
Sierra Lee Brandon
Kai Brennan
William Druck III
Bradley William Hinegardner
Craig John
Madeline C. Klingler
Gillian Irene Sturtz
Andrew Michael Weidner

Bachelor of Design in Digital Multimedia and Design

Cassidy Rae Barger
Ziantha Baughman
Diana Valentina Bile
Nardos M. Bizuneh
Elaina Adrianna Bono
Molly McCarthy Boon
Paola Bringas
Arianna Cannon
Thomas Celio
Ezra Warren Davis
Sarah Pearl Edwards
Regina Marie Molloy Fox
Christopher James Gutierrez
Evan Thomas Harbaugh
Josh Lisella Henderson
Jenna Reed Ishler
Brittney Jones
Justin Tarren Kaw
Matthieu Kelly
Andrew Christopher Khuu
Connor Lewis
Hannah Louise Ravert
Jamesha Robinson
Cara Lynne Rogers
Conner Rouston
Adam John Warsing
Lauren Alyssa Wellar

Bachelor of Design in Professional Photography

Carissa Jackelin Cook
Faith Shelby Harold
Zhiqian Luo
Samantha Reilly

Bachelor of Science in Art Education

Riley Cullen
Ellis Matalyn Catherine Dunn-Benson
Katelyn Mae Forrestal
Holly Klavans
Teghan Carol McIntyre
Kelsey Grace Over
Samantha Reilly
Makenna Sterling

Master of Fine Arts

Glynnis Baker
Casey Burton
Xuanbin Jia
Laura Kern
Delaney Marshall
Alexis Oltmer-Bergmann
Danielle Schwesinger
Madisyn Simington
Jordan Wolf
Forough Yazdanpanah

A&A Graduating Students

Congratulations all graduating students

Join the celebration

Undergraduate Student Marshals

Graduating with Distinction

Summa Cum Laude

Magna Cum Laude

Cum Laude

Graduating Students

Bachelor of Architecture

Master of Architecture

Master of Science in Architecture

Doctor of Philosophy in Architecture

Bachelor of Arts

Master of Arts

Bachelor of Design

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Master of Landscape Architecture

Master of Science in Landscape Architecture

Master of Professional Studies in Geodesign

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Music

Bachelor of Music Education

Bachelor of Musical Arts

Master of Music in Composition

Master of Music in Conducting

Master of Music in Performance

Master of Music in Performance and Pedagogy

Master of Music Education

Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

Master of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Bachelor of Design in Digital Arts and Media Design

Bachelor of Design in Digital Multimedia and Design

Bachelor of Design in Professional Photography

Bachelor of Science in Art Education

Master of Fine Arts

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