DUBOIS – Nearly 80 individuals officially became alumni of Penn State University during Penn State DuBois commencement ceremonies on Friday night at the DuBois Country Club. The commencement address was offered by U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson.
Thompson represents Pennsylvania’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, spanning North Central Pennsylvania. He was first elected in 2008, and was sworn in for his third term in January of 2013.
Thompson is a life-long resident of Howard Township, Centre County. Previously, he worked for nearly 30 years in healthcare as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager and a licensed nursing home administrator.
Thompson serves on the House Agricultural Committee, including the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee, the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee.
He is the author and a contributor to many pieces of legislation that have passed into law that address significant issues facing the nation. Those include the Service Members’ Telemedicine & E-Health Portability, or STEP Act.
Now Public Law 112-81, it expands the Department of Defense (DOD) state licensure exemption to allow credentialed health care professionals to work across state borders without having to obtain a new state license.
Involved in a variety of community initiatives in his personal life, Thompson is a volunteer firefighter, and a 30-year veteran of the Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council. Having attained the rank of Eagle Scout himself, Thompson has also served as a scoutmaster and as the council president.
Thompson is a graduate of Penn State and Temple Universities, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s of Education, respectively. He and his wife, Penny Ammerman Thompson have three adult sons.
“I consider today’s event a milestone in your educational journey, not a final destination, ending, or even terminal point,” Thompson told graduates.
“You see, I place tremendous importance on the value of life-long learning. Today’s celebration is just a milestone, although a very important one in your continued education and growth.”
Thompson explained that his belief in life-long learning goes hand-in-hand with his belief in moving the Unites States’ workforce and economy forward.
He said, “I believe in you; I believe in America’s future. One is absolutely dependent on the other. “The number one asset for America’s future and America’s competitiveness is a trained and qualified workforce. This is America’s competitive edge. And that is you. Education, be it academic, career, technical, and continuous is how America competes and how America wins.”
Thompson went on to encourage graduates to chase their dreams, and use their education to strive for the best they can carve out for themselves.
“America only makes one promise; that is opportunity, “Thompson said. “If you are willing to work, risk, and earn. Our Nation is founded on the premise that the American Dream is real. But it is up to you to make America’s dream your reality.”
Chancellor Melanie Hatch presided over commencement ceremonies and conferred degrees to the graduates. Associate Professor of Mathematics and Geosciences Byron Parizek served as campus marshal.
Academic Awardees were Dale. L. Moore and Julie K. Shimmel for associate degrees, and Molly E. Stoltz for baccalaureate degrees.