Graduation 2025: Mercyhurst celebrates 727 degree recipients

Mercyhurst University will honor the accomplishments of its Class of 2025 on Sunday, May 11. Among the 727 total graduates are 51 international students and 176 student-athletes.

The traditional commencement will celebrate 540 students, among them 500 baccalaureate degree recipients and 40 associate degree candidates. The ceremony takes place at 2 p.m. in the Erie Insurance Arena.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, 187 master’s degree candidates will graduate in the Erie Insurance Arena at 11 a.m.

Top commencement honors go to Jay Tonks, 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.

Elizabeth Strausser and Marley Ramon are recipients of the Bishop's Award for Academic Excellence, presented by the Catholic Diocese of Erie to the graduating senior(s) judged to have the most superior academic record in the class.

Other top senior awards go to Cecilia Castro (the Frank Barry Leadership Award); Abigail Kane (the Sister Carolyn Herrmann Service Award); and Kathryn Costantini (the Mother Borgia Egan Honors Award). Two adult undergraduate students also earned top awards: Teresia Kimingiri, the Catherine McAuley Adult Student Award; and Carter McCall, the President's Award for Adult Excellence.

Graduating seniors chosen to receive the President's Award for Excellence by Mercyhurst's schools are Carmen Stewart (School of the Arts); Juan Hernandez-Briones (School of Business and Applied Business); Mia Lancenere (School of Health Professions); and Mackenzie Mihalik (School of the Humanities); Chyna Hicks (School of Intelligence, Computing, and Global Politics); Jason Rettger (School of the Natural Sciences); and Alexandra Kruse (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).

Recognized as Female Student-Athlete of the Year is Eliza Reynolds, and Male Student-Athlete of the Year, Adam Oscarson.

The McAuley Award for Excellence at the associate degree level goes to Harmon Kaur (School of Business and Applied Business); and Kayla Burke (School of Health Professions).

Following are recipients of the Sister Eustace Taylor Award for outstanding graduate student: Christina Hamrock (School of Business and Applied Business); Brenna Lehotsky (School of Intelligence, Computing, and Global Politics); Stephen Hostetler (School of Natural Sciences); Kasey Chobany (School of Health Professions); and Erin Froelich (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences).

For a complete schedule of weekend events, visit the Graduation 2025 website.