Chatham Natives Graduate from U of Scranton

Seven Chatham natives were among the nearly 900 University of Scranton students who received their bachelor's degrees at the undergraduate commencement on May 27 at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre.

The local students who graduated include:

• Katherine M. DeFries of Chatham majored in philosophy and and political scienceychology in the Jesuit university's College of Arts and Sciences.
• Kathryn E. Pocci of Chatham majored in communication in the Jesuit university's College of Arts and Sciences.
• Zachary J. Rubino of Chatham majored in history in the Jesuit university's College of Arts and Sciences.
• Michael T. Wallace of Chatham majored in communication in the Jesuit university's College of Arts and Sciences.
• Gerard J. D'Onofrio of Chatham majored in biology in the Jesuit university's College of Arts and Sciences.
• Colleen A. Ryan of Chatham majored in nursing in the Jesuit university's Panuska College of Professional Studies.
• Caroline L. Conners of Chatham majored in community health education in the Jesuit university's Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Rubino  was among the 15 members of The University of Scranton's class of 2012 who were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army during the Jesuit school's commencement exercises.

Rubino has been assigned to the Medical Service Corps.

Graduates in the May 27 ceremony represented 15 states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Majors with the most graduates in 2012 are nursing, communication, biology, accounting, exercise science, and counseling and human services.

Sister Patricia Eck, C.B.S., congregation leader of the Sisters of Bon Secours and chairperson of Bon Secours, Inc./Bon Secours Ministries Board of Directors, served as the principal speaker at The University of Scranton's 2012 undergraduate commencement. She also received an honorary degree from the University.

"What a great day it is to graduate—Pentecost," said Eck to the nearly 9,000 in attendance at the undergraduate ceremony. "As you go into the world, you have God's assurance that the Spirit is with you. If you remember nothing from this day, and this is a good possibility, remember that God's Spirit is always with you. No matter what, God's Spirit is always with you."

University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., also addressed the graduates and their guests. This was Quinn's first undergraduate commencement ceremony as president of the University.

"You were challenged to make Ignatius' charge, to love and serve in all things, your own," Quinn said. "This is the value-added of a Scranton education, and for this we and the faculty are rightly proud. Remember, you are sons and daughters of The University of Scranton forever."

To see a list of Chatham natives who made the university's Dean's List for the spring 2012 semester, click here.