UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Arts and Architecture has named eight student marshals to represent the college during its spring 2026 commencement exercises, to take place at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, in Eisenhower Auditorium. The marshals were selected based on academic achievement and student engagement.
College marshal: Shan Wu
Shan Wu, of Hershey, will earn bachelor of arts degrees in art history, medieval studies and Spanish with minors in music studies, history and Italian. A Schreyer Honors College Scholar and Paterno Fellow, she received the College of Arts and Architecture’s 2025 Golumbic Scholarship Award in Humanistic Achievement. On campus, she worked as a public speaking mentor at the Undergraduate Speaking Center, a research ambassador for the Undergraduate Research and Fellowships Mentoring Office and a research assistant for Distinguished Professor of Art History Elizabeth Mansfield’s National Endowment for the Humanities-funded digital humanities project Constable’s Clouds. She also played the violin in the Campus Orchestra and served as president of Alpha Kappa Delta Phi. Wu studied abroad in Todi, Italy, in summer 2024 and in Ronda and Cádiz, Spain, in summer 2025. She also performed fieldwork for her undergraduate honors thesis in León, Spain, with the support of an Erickson Discovery Grant. Her research focuses on understanding art and architecture of the medieval Iberian Peninsula through cross-cultural interactions. In the fall, Wu will attend graduate school to continue her studies in art history.
Architecture: Michael Valle
Michael Valle, of Buffalo, New York, will earn a bachelor of architecture degree with a minor in residential construction. Throughout his academic career, he has developed a strong design voice and portfolio through a range of studio projects. In addition to his academic work, Valle has been actively involved in leadership and hands-on learning opportunities across campus. He served as a leader of Freedom by Design within the American Institute of Architecture Students, contributing to community-focused design and build projects. He also worked in the Stuckeman Shop for five years, where he developed strong fabrication skills and a deep understanding of materials and construction processes. Beyond the studio, he took advantage of opportunities to travel and study abroad, spending a semester in Rome exploring architecture across Europe. After graduation, Valle will join architecture firm Populous in Kansas City, where he looks forward to continuing his career in architecture and design.
Art history: Emma Knisely
Emma Knisely, of Mechanicsburg, will earn a bachelor of arts in art history. Throughout her time at the University, Knisely has been involved with many art history-related groups, including the Center for Virtual/Material Studies, the School of Theatre Fashion Archive and the Palmer Museum of Art. Within each organization, she worked with fellow art history students and faculty to further her own studies and to support research of objects in each collection. After graduation, she plans to continue her work at the Palmer and to later attend graduate school with a focus in 19th-century American print work.
Graphic design: Kaitlyn Reynolds
Kaitlyn Reynolds, of Gilbertsville, will earn a bachelor of design in graphic design. She has pursued a dynamic range of creative and professional interests during her time at Penn State. She began her undergraduate career as a digital arts and media design major with a photography minor before transitioning into the graphic design program, complemented by continued studio photography classes and a minor in business and the liberal arts. Deeply involved in the student design community, Reynolds has been an active member of the Design Association for four years, serving as vice president and now president. She also contributed to her sorority as design coordinator, where she led involvement initiatives and promotion efforts. Outside the classroom, Reynolds has explored freelance photography and expanded her creative practice through internships with Almo Corporation and Smoke Before Fire, where she discovered a passion for alcohol product design. She has continued building that interest through freelance work with WeHolden, working on projects for the NFL, MLB and additional brands. Following graduation, Reynolds plans to continue working with WeHolden, in addition to traveling to Italy to briefly explore its art and further develop her photography skills.
Integrative arts: Casey Lee
Casey Lee, of New York City, started his studies as a fine arts major and then switched into an integrative arts and advertising double major, for which he will earn bachelor of arts degrees. He completed his studies while owning and designing his own fashion brand, Akhielo. From his sophomore to junior years, he worked jobs in video production and scripting for companies such as Boardroom and Fanatics. During his senior year, he shifted into management assistance for high-end influencers and now strives to better establish his own influencer role. After graduation, Lee plans to continue to build his brand.
Landscape architecture: Graham Fedorowicz
Graham Fedorowicz, of Bethlehem, has combined academic excellence, leadership and hands-on design experience while pursuing his bachelor of landscape architecture degree. He has held leadership roles as vice president of the Arts and Architecture Student Council and treasurer of the Landscape Architecture Student Society, fostering collaboration and engagement across disciplines within the college. Beyond the classroom, Fedorowicz has gained professional experience through internships where he contributed to design development, client presentations and construction documentation. His work also reflects a dedication to community-centered design, including a pollinator garden project focused on ecological impact and site-sensitive planning. His academic achievements have been recognized through departmental awards. Fedorowicz has further enriched his education through international study in Barcelona, Spain, and Bonn, Germany, expanding his perspective on global design practices. He has been accepted into the master of landscape architecture program at the University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation, he plans to either continue his education or begin his professional career in landscape architecture.
Music: Aaron Kaufman
Aaron Kaufman, of Johnstown, will receive a bachelor of music education degree. During his time at Penn State, he was the saxophone music section leader in the Blue Band, a proud member of the saxophone studio and member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. He served as president of the Penn State chapter of the National Association for Music Education and as secretary and social media manager for the Penn State Saxophone Alliance. This spring, he student taught music at Hollidaysburg Area High School and Charles W. Longer Elementary School. He spent four years working in the Arts Ticket Center at Eisenhower Auditorium and one year as a music theory grader. Outside of school, you can find Kaufman performing in the Coal Aly band. After graduation, he said he hopes to work as a public school music educator in Pennsylvania.
Theatre: Caden Barley
Caden Barley, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, is graduating in three years with a bachelor of arts in theatre studies and minor in English. He enjoyed his time at Penn State as the PR chair for Habitat for Humanity, as well as a performer, director and primary THON chair for No Refund Theatre. As a first-year student, Barley discovered his love of dramaturgy, and has since served as a production dramaturg with the School of Theatre on productions of "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Antigone," as well as the front-of-house dramaturg on Thespian Society's recent production of "Jesus Christ Superstar."
Visual arts: Nemo Rosas
Nemo Rosas, of Downingtown, will earn a bachelor of design in digital arts and media design. They are an interdisciplinary animator and multi-media artist whose work synthesizes technology and storytelling through experimental and narrative works in animation, film and interactive media. Rosas’ animated works have been screened internationally at numerous film festivals. During their time at Penn State, Rosas has been actively involved in the arts on campus. They have presented work at multiple exhibitions, including the Golumbic Scholarship Exhibition; were featured in the Happy Valley Animation Festival; were awarded a Valley Family Scholarship; and won Best in Show at the College of Arts and Architecture Undergraduate Juried Exhibition. Rosas will continue their education at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, pursuing a master of fine arts degree in the John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts.