YORK, Pa. — “Graduates, whenever the opportunity arises, practice your compassion, be an active listener, be respectful of everyone, be sympathetic, and most of all, strive to be understanding, as knowledge is power,” said David W. Chown, chancellor of Penn State York and the commencement speaker during Penn State York’s 48th annual spring commencement May 4.
Chown, who will be retiring effective Aug. 1, urged graduates to help tackle two of the biggest problems in society today: bullying and the hostile workplace.
Chown shared stories of three people he believes to be examples of compassionate individuals, the late Barbara Bush, a former first lady; his late father, Wayne, the most compassionate person he has ever known; and Connor Williams, a 6-foot-5-inch, 296-pound Texas Longhorn All-American and second round NFL draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys, who had been horribly bullied as a boy. Using their stories, Chown urged graduates to help make a difference.
“So graduates, my message, as much as possible for each of you, I implore you, please, please embrace your humanity. Revel in it, get comfortable in it, and let it guide your actions. We’re all in this together, and, collectively, all of us can make a difference.”
Chown has served the campus and the University for more than five years, and following his retirement as chancellor from Penn State York, Chown will take on other duties for the University through Sept. 30. He and his wife, Peggy, director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Penn State York, currently live in York but plan to return to Iowa to live after his retirement.
In addition to hearing from Chown, Penn State York continued its open microphone tradition where students can speak to the audience for a moment and share thoughts on their college experience. Some students shared stories of overcoming great struggles while others thanked family and friends, and commended campus faculty and staff for their support.
The top senior attending in Penn State York’s associate degree programs, Paula M. Presswood, human development and family studies, Dover, Pennsylvania; the top senior in baccalaureate programs, Nathan K. Oberdick, information sciences and technology, Manchester, Pennsylvania; and a top master’s degree graduate, Phalon Faye Mallory, master of education in teaching and curriculum, York, Pennsylvania, also spoke.
A total of 66 degrees were awarded during the ceremony. The campus awarded three master of education in teaching and curriculum degrees, 47 baccalaureate degrees, and 7 associate degrees. Nine students who earned their degrees at another Penn State location returned to York to receive a degree during the ceremony. For those who could not attend the event, the ceremony was broadcast live on the campus website and on Channel 18.
The following students earned associate degrees: Amanda Marie Dinsmore, Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, business administration; Michael Jonathan Glasgow, York, Pennsylvania, information sciences and technology, summa cum laude; Ethan Jeriel Guistwite, Hanover, Pennsylvania, mechanical engineering technology; Dea Chrysant Herman, Emigsville, Pennsylvania, human development and family studies, magna cum laude; Kathryn Jones, Littlestown, Pennsylvania, business administration; Paula M. Presswood, Dover, Pennsylvania, human development and family studies, summa cum laude; and Tyler William VanWyk, York, Pennsylvania, human development and family studies.