DUBOIS – Fall 2018 graduates from Penn State DuBois made their official transition from students to alumni during fall commencement ceremonies held Thursday evening in the campus gymnasium.
Chancellor M. Scott McBride presided over the ceremony, with Professor of Chemistry Arshad Khan serving as faculty marshal. Assistant teaching professor and winner of the 2017-18 DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) Educator of the Year Award, Barbara Reinard, offered the commencement address.
Reinard began teaching in the Penn State DuBois Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program in 1997 and became the PTA program coordinator in 1998. She is also a staff physical therapist at Indiana Regional Medical Center where she has worked since 1988.
Reinard earned a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Clarion University in 1985, and a Bachelor’s in physical therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 1988.
She went on to complete her Master’s in adult and community education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1997. She recently earned a Doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from Shenandoah University.
“Parents, friends and family, thanks for providing support to the graduates. They couldn’t have done it without you. Graduates, congratulations on your accomplishment, this is a big deal. Your hard work and dedication have finally paid off and no one can take this away from you,” Reinard said during her address.
“In a few minutes you will be a college graduate and will be among the privileged in the world. According to a study by Harvard and the Asian Development Bank, only 6.7 percent of the world population has a college degree.
The numbers are higher in the U.S. but still only 38 percent of the population has a college degree. With this privilege, comes responsibility, and an obligation to use your newfound knowledge to make the world a better place.”
Reinard went on to provide her own updated version of the 10 Commandments, urging graduates to strive for a life well-lived through service kindness, and making positive contributions to their communities.
“Give more than you take, help those less fortunate than you, give of your time, talent and money. Do random acts of kindness. Volunteer,” she said. “Plan for tomorrow, but live as if today is the only day that you have. We are not promised another day so, make the most of it.”
Associate Chief Academic Officer Mary Mino presented academic awards. Kelsey Johnson received the Associate Academic Achievement Award for maintaining the highest GPA among Associate degree students.
Kasie Fields received the Baccalaureate Academic Achievement Award for maintaining the highest GPA among Baccalaureate degree students.