Commencement 2023: Mercyhurst celebrates 768 graduates

Mercyhurst University will honor the accomplishments of its Class of 2023—a total of 768 graduates—during the weekend of May 12-13.

The traditional commencement will celebrate 591students, among them 484 baccalaureate degree recipients and 107 associate degree candidates. The ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. in the Erie Insurance Arena on Saturday, May 13.

Meanwhile, the evening of Friday, May 12, will see 177 master’s degree candidates graduate at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Top commencement honors go to Rondale Smith, recipient of the Carpe Diem Award, presented to the student who has made the most positive impact on the university and best exemplifies the Mercyhurst motto of Carpe Diem. He double majored in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

Brentyn Muir receives the Bishop's Award for Academic Excellence, presented by the Catholic Diocese of Erie to the graduating senior judged to have the most superior academic record in the class. He double majored in Data Science and Intelligence Studies.

Other top senior awards go to Lily Smith (the Frank Barry Leadership Award), Haley Miller (the Sister Carolyn Herrmann Service Award), and Katharine Whitticom (the Mother Borgia Egan Honors Award). Two adult undergraduate students also earned top awards: Lindsey Confer (the Catherine McAuley Adult Student Award) and Sterling Vahey (the President's Award for Adult Excellence).

Graduating seniors chosen to receive the President's Award for Excellence by Mercyhurst's colleges are Grace Bonnett and Ashleigh Merry (Hafenmaier College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences), Samantha Strom and Austin Cortopassi (Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences), Joe Maziarz and Gabrielle Rohauer (Walker College of Business), and Ryan Wallace and Lindsey Cain (Zurn College of Natural and Health Sciences).

The McAuley Award for Excellence at the associate degree level goes to Andrew Long (Ridge College) and Sara Anderson (Zurn College).

Each of the four colleges also presents the Sister Eustace Taylor Award to an outstanding graduate student. Recipients for 2023 are Bethany Friel (Hafenmaier College), Rebecca Dunphy (Ridge College), Jacquelynne McClelland (Walker College), and Abigail Waldron (Zurn College).

Jillian Blas, representing Field Hockey, receives the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Award while Austin Cortopassi, Football, is the 2023 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.  

For a complete schedule of weekend events, visit the Graduation 2023 website.