Millersville University held its 170th annual commencement at the Winter Center, where university leaders conferred master’s and baccalaureate degrees, recognized students earning university honors, and heard remarks from President Daniel Wuba and alumna Deborah Woolworth. The program included a land acknowledgement, musical performances by the Wind Ensemble brass and vocalist Caitlin Myers, and formal introductions of trustees and administrators.

The ceremony opened with safety and logistical announcements from Victor Ramos, vice president for advancement, followed by a reading of the land acknowledgement by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gail Gasparich. Student Government Association President Tevin Hornbaker urged graduates to celebrate their community and announced the senior class gift, saying the class had “resolved to contribute to the Millersville University scholarship fund.” Hornbaker framed the gift as continuation of a tradition “since 1866” of class philanthropy.

In formal remarks, Dr. Daniel Wuba, Millersville University’s president, asked graduates to carry forward a commitment to “excellence” and civic contribution and used a sapling metaphor to urge resilience. “Go forth with courage, with integrity, and with unwavering commitment to making a positive difference,” Wuba said. Earlier, Dr. Robin Davis, president of the faculty union and chair of the history department, congratulated graduates and thanked families and faculty for their support. At one point Davis addressed the graduates directly: “Go get them.”

Alumna Deborah Woolworth, introduced as a healthcare leader and class of 1988 graduate, delivered the commencement address to the College of Science and Technology. Woolworth reflected on career changes and advised graduates to accept uncertainty and take calculated risks, saying graduates should “stay curious, keep learning, and adapt to the ever changing world around you.” She described leadership lessons from her nursing and administrative career and encouraged graduates to give back to their communities.

Graduate degrees were presented by Dr. Laura Wilcox, interim dean of the College of Graduate Studies and dean of the College of Education and Human Services, and conferred by the president “upon the authority vested in me by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the board of governors and the council of trustees.” Readers then announced individual names for master’s degree recipients, followed by the conferral of baccalaureate degrees for the College of Science and Technology and a lengthy roll-call of undergraduate names (several graduates were recognized with honors including summa and magna distinctions).

The ceremony included recognition for veterans, reservists and first responders in attendance and culminated with alumni association remarks from Matthew Olfin, president of the Millersville University Alumni Association (Class of 1995), and the singing of the alma mater. Marshals guided graduates to the stage throughout the evening and the university asked guests to remain seated until the recessional.

Degrees, honors categories, and the names of graduates were read aloud as part of the program. The university directed audiences to the commencement website for a full list of students graduating with university honors.