Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg to Award Honorary Degrees to Judge Mary Jane Bowes, Allison Pettit
Bloomsburg, PA (05/12/2025) — Two honorary doctoral degrees will be conferred at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg's commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 17.
The honorary degrees will be awarded to the Honorable Mary Jane Bowes '22(H), Judge of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, at the morning ceremony, and to Allison Margaret Pettit, a notable philanthropist, at the afternoon ceremony.
Nearly 1,000 students will receive undergraduate degrees during the ceremonies. An additional 160 students will receive doctoral and master's degrees at graduate commencement on Friday, May 16.
Judge Bowes will receive an honorary Doctor of Law. Bowes joined the Bloomsburg Council of Trustees in 2013 and was elected chair in 2018. As chair of the Council of Trustees, she played an instrumental role in guiding the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's integration of the Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield campuses. In the spring of 2022, the Honorable Mary Jane Bowes was presented the Honorary Alumnus Award by the Bloomsburg University Alumni Association.
Allison Pettit will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. While not an alumna of Commonwealth University, Allison Pettit was introduced to Bloomsburg through her husband, alumna Steph Pettit '89. With her support and guidance, Allison and Steph Pettit's philanthropic vision has grown beyond athletics to encompass other areas. This has included supporting the renovation of the Media and Journalism facilities in McCormick and, most recently, funding to renovate the Center for the Arts. They have also funded an endowment to provide scholarships for students and future funding for continued technology advancements in the arts facilities.
The Commonwealth University Council of Trustees voted unanimously in March to approve the award of the two honorary doctorates.
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