Student standouts to address spring commencement at YSU

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Luke Politsky of Poland, who graduates with a bachelor’s degree, joins TV star and Youngstown native Ed O’Neill as the featured speakers at Youngstown State University’s spring undergraduate commencement 10 a.m. Saturday, in Beeghly Center.

Tickets are required to attend the undergraduate commencement ceremony. Tickets are only available to graduates and their families and not the general public.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Tarcy of Campbell, who graduates with a doctorate in physical therapy, joins retiring YSU President Cynthia E. Anderson as the featured speakers at the spring graduate commencement at 2:30 p.m., also in Beeghly Center. Tickets are not required for the graduate ceremony.

Politsky graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 2009 and entered YSU the following fall as a University Scholar majoring in chemistry, later transferring to the business college to major in management. Politsky was involved on campus throughout his university careers, serving as communications officer, vice president and president of the University Scholars Trustees. He participated in various service projects, including Shantytown, Fall Festival with the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown, and the annual YSU Phon-a-thon. He has been employed as a student assistant in the Honors Department and also served as a leader of YSU’s Summer Honors Institute. He was a representative of the Williamson College of Business Administration in YSU’s Student Government Association—where he served on the University Affairs Committee—and a member of the business college’s Student Leadership Council.

Additionally, Politsky is a member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, holding the position of sergeant-at-arms; Beta Gamma Sigma business honors society; and Phi Kappa Phi international honors society. His other services to the university include assisting as Pete the Penguin for special events and volunteering for the Office of Alumni and Events Management and the YSU Foundation.

Politsky also serves his church, Holy Family Parish in Poland, as a member of its Parish Pastoral and Knights of Columbus councils and as the chairman of the Liturgy Committee.

Tarcy is a 2006 graduate of Campbell Memorial High School and graduated magna cum laude from YSU in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She then continued her studies at YSU in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. During summer 2011, as a student physical therapist, Tarcy had the opportunity to travel to Haiti with a volunteer medical group.