Penn College summer 2022 commencement set for Aug. 6

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Summer 2022 commencement at Pennsylvania College of Technology will feature a couple of firsts.

The ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport, will include the awarding of master’s degrees for the first time in the college’s history. It also is the first commencement ceremony for which new Penn College President Michael J. Reed, who began his duties July 1, will preside.

Nearly 170 students have petitioned to graduate after the summer sessions. The commencement ceremony, which is for graduates and their ticketed guests, begins at 11 a.m.

Among the students marching will be the first cohort of the college’s combined bachelor/master of science degree in physician assistant studies. A ceremonial hooding will take place on stage for each of these students.

The student speaker for the event is Bryan M. Bilbao, of Old Forge, who will be one of the students being awarded a combined bachelor/master of Science degree in physician assistant studies. Bilbao previously earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from Wilkes University and worked as a crisis clinician at the Crisis Response and Recovery Center at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. A Dean’s List student, he also is a member of the Pennsylvania Xi Chapter of Alpha Chi National College Honor Society.

Bilbao will receive the Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award at commencement, an honor presented to a graduate who exemplifies the ideals of Lewis H. Bardo (devotion to duty, helpfulness to others, friendliness and high ideals). He also serves as a director for PA-S LEAD (Physician Assistant Students for Leadership, Equity, Anti-Racism and Diversity).

The college will present a Distinguished Alumni Award to Richard A. Conrad Jr., of Selinsgrove, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in welding technology in 2002 and has 32 years’ experience in the welding manufacturing career field.

Reed will confer degrees and certificates, accompanied by Zack Moore of the Penn College Board of Directors, who serves as vice president for government and community relations at Penn State.

The masking status that is in place at Penn College on the day of the event will be followed for the commencement ceremony.

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. For more, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.