One could certainly say that Aymed Rodriguez-Ortiz is a resilient and resourceful student who overcame major obstacles to realize her dream of graduating from college. She will do just that on Saturday, May 4, when she earns her bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences with a minor in global studies.

A favorite quote for Katherine Giorgi, a Penn State Berks student marshal and commencement speaker representing the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Division, is Lao Tzu’s “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

There’s a good reason why Penn State Berks student Robert “Robby” Pearson wants to give back after he graduates. “I have always wanted to help people; it came natural to me,” he said.

Ryan Morris, a first-generation college student who, at the age of 18, was a National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) driver, has big plans after commencement on Saturday, May 4.

Eva Sanchez will be sorely missed when she graduates from Penn State Berks on Saturday, May 4. In four short years, she has made a lasting impact on the college and all who have known her.

Joshua Price has big plans after he crosses the stage to earn his bachelor of science in biology at Penn State Berks’ spring commencement. He has been awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF).

For Shivansh Bhatt, attending Penn State Berks was not part of the plan. An international student born in India and raised in Dubai, Bhatt had originally applied to University Park to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

Erik Avis had no intention of going to college. Growing up in a military family, it seemed only natural to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation.

Not only does Mark Dawson work at Penn State Berks, but he will graduate with two of his six daughters, Dakota and Hunter, on Saturday, May 4, during the college’s 2 p.m. commencement ceremony.

After serving his country and traveling the world as a Navy combat medic, James Holmes returned to the U.S. with an honorable discharge and a severe case of undiagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).