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CU-Lock Haven celebrates new educators during teacher induction ceremony

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (06/02/2025) — In May, Commonwealth University-Lock Haven celebrated student teachers during the semi-annual Student Teacher Induction and Pinning Ceremony held in the Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center (DACC). After successfully completing their placements, the student teachers were honored during the program designed to celebrate the hard work, dedication and commitment of prospective teachers.

To begin the program, Dr. Jennifer Gurski, director, Office of Teacher Preparation, Clinical Practice and Certification, welcomed the administration, faculty, staff, guest speakers, student teachers, family members and guests. Dr. Ann Larson, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences; Dr. Michelle Kiec, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs; and Dr. Stephan Lee, vice president for enrollment management and student affairs and Lock Haven campus administrator also greeted the audience and offered remarks.

The program continued with remarks from the keynote speaker, Christina Onuskanich, a reading and leadership specialist workshop instructor at Central Mountain Middle School in the Keystone Central School District. Onuskanich's message came from the heart, as she spoke to the teacher candidates, stating never to give up. Onuskanich won Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year in 2023.

Following the speakers, each student received a circle of children lapel pin, which represents four positive skills in the continuous circle of teaching and learning: cooperation, togetherness, unity and acceptance. The evening concluded with opportunities for photographs on the DACC balcony and a reception.

Students who participated in the ceremony were: Mackenzie Ade, Peter Amarante, Rylan Bailey Lance Baldensperger, Luke Barnhart, Kaylee Beardsley, Nicholas Bentley, Clayton Bob, Jamison Bohner, Honesty Boone, Marc Bordon, Tyson Brennan, Hannah Brian, Mackenzie Brown, Maxwell Burpo, Ty Butler, Seth Chapman, Sarah Cleary, Allison Clemson, Zachary Cole, Kyler Cunningham, Rachel Detweiler, Shelby Diven, Madelyn Feltenberger, Vincent Fennell, Rita Fisher, Carly Fitzmorris, Ashley Folmar, Isabella Freidhof, Connor Gallagher Madalyn Gottshall, Katlyn Harrison, Christopher Hine, Carson Ikner, Alexis Kern, Ashley Kies Makenna Koyack, Evan Laudenslager, Heather LeBourgeois, Matthew Lingenfelter, Gwendolyn Lloyd, Kiersten Lloyd, Kayla Maciejewski, Tatum Malone, Abigail McGeary, Christy McLean Megan Mengel, Parker Moore, Nicholas Mostyn, Rachael Murawski, Evan Nagy, Taylor Nelson Emma Pequignot, Alexander Probert, Bo Raho, Megan Range, Courtney Raap, Mariah Romig, Megan Rosahac, Sara Rowles, Christian Ruberto, Gina Salvaggio, Lukas Schutz, Aubrey Sechrist, Morgan Shore, Olivia Smith ,Cora Stackhouse, Rocco Stark, Garrett Starr, Carter Stedman, Levi Storrs, Gable Strickland, Alexis Strouse, Janessa Swartz, Sara Swartz, William Talmadge, Cody VanBenthuysen, Cecilia Vavreck, Kara Wells and Sloan Wood.