There was no hiding the excitement. California University of Pennsylvania held its 192nd Commencement on May 7-8, and although graduates and guests wore masks and practiced social distancing, the joy of the weekend was evident.

More than 1,000 doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees were conferred by interim University President Robert Thorn.

Addressing the Class of 2021 was James T. Davis ’73, a senior partner at the Davis & Davis law firm of Uniontown, Pa., and chair of Cal U’s Council of Trustees.

To comply with pandemic-related occupancy limits, theUniversity held three ceremonies and allowed each graduate to invite only two guests.

“It’s very emotional,” said a slightly teary-eyed Alex Gerena, of Womelsdorf, Pa. His son, Devon, graduated May 8 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies with a concentration in TV and radio.

“He’s our oldest child, and our first to graduate,” mom Laurie Gerena added. “I’m so proud of his accomplishment.”

For Devon, nothing meant more than having his parents watch him walk across the stage in the Convocation Center.

“It would have been super weird to do this without them,” he said. “They’re the reason I was able to accomplish this.”

Scott Curley is joined by his wife, left, Pam and mother, Mary Ann '84, at Cal U's 192nd Commencement.
Tisha Wallace, earning her master's in rehab science and nutrition, traveled from Dallas, Texas to attend Cal U's in-person graduate commencement ceremony.
Danielle Briseno, of Detroit, is congratulated by University President Robert Thorn after earning her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice: Forensic Linguistics at Cal U's 192nd Commencement.
Amanda Brown, of Carmichaels, waits for the start of Cal U's 192nd commencement wearing her customized cap to celebrate earning a MSW degree.
Tisha Wallace, earning her master's in rehab science and nutrition, traveled from Dallas, Texas to attend Cal U's in-person graduate commencement ceremony.
From left, Kailyn Shoffler, a chemistry major from Valleyview, Rebecca Wright, a biology major from Hopewell and Nadia Mason, a computer science major from Cardale, celebrate following Cal U's 192nd commencement.
Maura Glennon, of Johnstown, is hooded after earning her master's degree in communications disorders at Cal U's 192nd commencement.
Quest Sawyer, a theatre major from Frederick, Md., celebrates her graduation with, from left, her father James, mother Marvia and sister Brie, following Cal U's 192nd commencement.
Mark Maguth, of Cleveland, Ohio, is hooded as Doctor of Criminal Justice at Cal U's 192nd Commencement.
Masters in Social Work graduates, from left, Brandi Schweizer, of Scottdale, Emily Nelson, of Greensburg, Rachel Skovine, of Acme, and Amanda Lynch, of Fayette City, don matching masks for Cal U's 192nd commencement.
Social work majors Robbie Doncourt, left, of Pittsburgh, and Owen Raygor, of Somerset, celebrate their graduation following Cal U's 192nd Commencement.
Taia Anderson, a social work major from Connellsville, celebrates her graduation with her grandmother, alumnus Debbie Anderson '88 '95, outside Cal U's Convocation Center.
Jim Sherer, a criminal justice major from Pittsburgh, celebrates his graduation with his wife Katelyn and daughter Allison, 3, following Cal U's 192nd commencement.
Norris Williamson, a sports management major from Philadelphia, poses as his parents snap photos following Cal U's 192nd commencment.
Cal U Theatre graduates and faculty celebrate outside Steele Hall, home of the department, after the university's 192nd commencement.
Maggie Cave, a communications major from Bechtelsville, hugs Abbie Kefalas, a communications major from York, after Cal U's 192nd Commencement.
Taia Anderson, a social work major from Connellsville, shows off her matching cap and mask outside Cal U's Convocation Center.
Tisha Wallace, earning her master's in rehab science and nutrition, traveled from Dallas, Texas to attend Cal U's in-person graduate commencement ceremony.
James Davis '73, senior partner at Davis & Davis law firm and Cal U Trustee, addresses the graduates at the university's 192nd commencement.
Marissa Sorenson, a theatre major from Corry, waves to the crowd prior to Cal U's 192nd Commencement.
Jeromy Mackey, a theatre major, prepares to enter the arena for Cal U's 192nd Commencement.

Graduates made the most of the mask mandate, including master’s degree candidates Emily Nelson, Rachel Skovira, Brandi Schweizer andAmanda Lynch, whose face coverings declared “Social Workers Change the World.”

Alumna Debbie Lambert ’88, ’95 decorated a mask for grand daughter Taia Anderson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in social work.

“It’s a proud moment for me,” Lambert said, “and I wanted to make sure it was special for her.”

“She’s worked so hard,” added Anderson’s mother, CrystalBritt. “It’s so refreshing after the past year to be able to come together and celebrate.”

President Thorn and speaker Davis commended the graduates for their resilience. It is no small thing to finish your degree amid a global pandemic.

“We gather to celebrate all that you have worked so hard to accomplish,” President Thorn said.

“During the past 14 months, in particular, you demonstrated perseverance in the face of unprecedented challenges. You weathered a year that was often unpredictable. You overcame challenges none of us had ever imagined.I commend each of you for staying true to your goals and not faltering when faced with adversity.”

“I want to congratulate each of you on your academic success and remind you that you are leaders — today's leaders as well as tomorrow's leaders,” Davis said.

“You have been blessed with a wonderful education, and you are more than capable of moving your communities and this nation forward.”

With degrees in hand, graduates’ futures are already bright.

“I honestly don’t think the online experience was that difficult,” said Jewelein Stevenson, who earned her master’s degree in communication disorders.

She has been hired at a school district and nursing facility in her home state of Maryland.

“Since our classes were online, we could do an externship wherever we wanted, and that’s what led me to getting hired,” she explained.

“But I’m so excited for graduation, because I haven’t seen members of my cohort in person in over a year.”

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