College ensures playoff-bound seniors don't miss graduation

When the Wildcat baseball team embarked Wednesday for the conference playoffs at Penn State Harrisburg, the bus was filled with teammates and coaches, focus and confidence ... and more than a dozen new Pennsylvania College of Technology alumni.

The double-elimination tournament poses a major scheduling conflict with this weekend's Spring Commencement ceremonies, so the college arranged an early graduation ceremony Tuesday evening for the 14 seniors on coach Chris Howard's squad.

"Welcome, everyone, as we honor the accomplishments of our student-athletes who will forego their commencement ceremonies this weekend in order to represent our college, fulfill their commitment to their team and compete for the 2023 United East Championship," President Michael J. Reed told the crowd of families, friends and teammates in the Klump Academic Center Auditorium.

The graduating players are:

Ben M. Bretzman, Bendersville, emergency management & homeland security
Jacob E. Carles, Bernville, engineering design technology
Cole A. Culver, Titusville, civil engineering technology
Tristan J. Current, Reinholds, forest technology
Cameron S. Dick, Dillsburg, applied management
Brock A. Moyer, Williamsport, building construction technology
Keegan M. Nytz, Allentown, construction management
Justin T. Porter, Fairless Hills. building automation technology
Shane D. Price, Kersey, engineering design technology
Brian Robison, Quakertown, civil engineering technology
Tyler S. Rudolph, Hemlock, N.Y., engineering design technology
Andrew M. Snyder, Whitehall, business administration: sport & event management concentration
Jacob R. Wagner, Palmyra, business administration: sport & event management concentration
Chance L. Webb, Hughesville, business administration: marketing concentration.

As those names were called by Nesli Alp, vice president for academic affairs/provost, the president shook each senior's hand and presented them with a diploma cover.  

"You have the skills, grit and determination to chart your course," Reed told them at the conclusion of the half-hour proceedings. "You have worked through countless disruptions – and been thrown a few curveballs – and pushed yourselves further and harder than what many of you thought was possible."

"Thank you for stepping up and stepping forward when others have stepped away," he added. "Our nation and our communities need more leaders like you. We are extremely proud of what you have accomplished thus far to place your long-term aspirations within reach, and I can't wait to hear what awaits you on the horizon.

"Go leave it all on the field – literally in Harrisburg and figuratively throughout your careers."