Marywood University, Area Residents Earn Commencement Medals

Several recent Marywood graduates, who are area residents or natives of the region, earned Commencement medals from Marywood University at the May 2025 Commencement ceremony, including Katelyn Ainey, Jessup; Cassidy Asinski, Waymart; Ryan Coleman, Archbald; Megan Wolff Galko, Roaring Brook Twp.; Natasya Handijaya, Scranton; Olivia Kaschak, Archbald; Celeste Orchard, Lake Ariel; Elyse Rehder, Clarks Summit; Riley Skelton, Honesdale; Alexandra Taffera, Moscow; Anthony Viscomi, Scranton; Elizabeth Vito, Dupont, and Zachary Witte, Lakeville.

Kaitlin Ainey, Jessup, was awarded the Medal for Excellence in Psychology, founded by the Psychology Club in honor of Sister M. St. Mary Orr, IHM, and Sister M. Bernardina McAndrew, IHM.

Cassidy Asinski, Waymart, was awarded the Sister Maria Laurence Maher Medal for Excellence in Biological Studies, founded in memory of Sister Maria Laurence Maher, IHM, by her family.

Ryan Coleman, Archbald, who was co-valedictorian of the Class of 2025, was awarded the Kappa Gamma Pi Medal for General Excellence and the Tama Medal for Excellence in Mathematical Studies. The Kappa Gamma Pi Medal was established by the Scranton Chapter of Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society. The Tama Medal was founded by Mrs. Margaret Mary Tama Hovell and Dr. Judith Tama Page, in memory of their parents, John and Margaret Tama. He also received honorable mention for the Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie Medal for Excellence in Secondary Education, founded by Elizabeth Young Arvad, M.D.

Megan Wolff Galko, Roaring Brook Twp., was awarded the Walton Medal for Excellence in Public Administration, founded by Dr. Clarence C. and Elizabeth Walton.

Nastasya Handijaya, Scranton, was awarded the Philip E. Mulry Medal for Excellence in Chemistry, founded by the Mulry family in memory of Philip E. Mulry, Sr.

Olivia Kaschak, Archbald, was awarded the Sister M. Charitas Loftus Medal for Excellence in Poetry, founded by Jemille A. Zaydon and Friends and Alumni. She received honorable mention for the J. Harold Brislin Medal for Distinction in Creative Writing,founded by the late Gene Brislin, in memory of her husband, J. Harold Brislin, a Pulitzer Prize Winner.

Celeste Orchard, Lake Ariel, was awarded the Nemotko Medal for Distinction in Nursing, founded by Mrs. Anthony J. Nemotko, in memory of her husband, Anthony J. Nemotko.

Elyse Rehder, Clarks Summit, was awarded the Sister Regina Barrett Medal for Excellence in Early Childhood Education, established in honor of Sister Regina Barrett, IHM, by Superintendent Patricia C. Leamy

Riley Skelton, Honesdale, was awarded the Shaffer Medal for Nutrition and Dietetics, founded by C. Norman Shaffer, LL.D., in memory of Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart Walsh, IHM, and Sister Margaret Mary Howley, IHM.

Alexandra Taffera, Moscow, was awarded the Judith Piznar Medal for Leadership and Service to Youth, founded in memory of Judy Piznar, Class of 1990. She also received the Rosemary Carroll Kazimer Medal for Excellence in Elementary Education, founded by Dr. Mary Louise Keeney in honor of Mrs. Kazimer.

Anthony Viscomi, Scranton, was awarded the Sister M. Sylvia Morgan Medal for Pre-Medical Studies, founded by Elizabeth Young Arvad, M.D.

Elizabeth Vito, Dupont, was awarded the Mary Grace Loughney Flynn ’39 Medal for Excellence in Music, established by Sister Elizabeth R. Loughney, IHM.

Zachary Witte, Lakeville, was awarded the Sister M. Margrete Kelley Medal for Distinction in Service, founded by Anna G. Kirby in memory of her sister, Sister M. Margrete Kelley, IHM. He also received the Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie Medal for Excellence in Secondary Education, founded by Elizabeth Young Arvad, M.D.