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Youngstown State fall commencement sends off 1,072 graduates
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
A snapshot of Julia M. Mangeri’s story easily could add credence to the idea that good things often come in threes.
Within the last year, the Lake Milton woman married Joey Mangeri. In a few months, she will embark on a four-week overseas trip to the Middle East to help refugees.
Completing the trifecta was Mangeri’s having received her bachelor of general studies degree from Youngstown State University, something she did during Sunday afternoon’s fall commencement in YSU’s Beeghly Center.
“I’m very happy I was summa cum laude,” said an excited Mangeri, an interdisciplinary-studies major in biology and fine arts who plans to spend February teaching music and English to Middle Eastern refugees as well as assisting with children’s and women’s programs.
Mangeri was among the 1,072 grads who earned their degrees from YSU’s Bitonte College of Health and Human Services, Beeghly College of Education and Williamson College of Business Administration as well as the Colleges of Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Creative Arts and Communication, Graduate Studies, and Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
One of Mangeri’s long-term goals is to be an illustrator in the medical and science fields, which could entail adding illustrations to anatomy textbooks, she said.
Also soaking up the joyous moments were Mangeri’s parents, Mike and Tia Ciferno, along with her brother, Aaron.
It’s safe to say that Alec M. Kalis placed his educational pursuits on a fast track, having graduated from Austintown Fitch High School in 2014 before earning his bachelor of science degree in biology, with a minor in chemistry.
“I’ve learned to multitask beyond belief,” recalled Kalis, who had spent a semester in his freshman year at Ohio State University before transferring in spring 2015 to YSU, where he also took summer courses.
Another incentive for Kalis to expedite getting his degree, as well as solidify his desire to enter the medical field, was his grandfather, Michael Kalis, whom he helped take care of before the elder Kalis died last month, Alec explained.
Also proud of having received the same degree as Kalis were Brandon J. Nightingale and Abed Abu-Ghannam, both of whom were part of the College of STEM.
“I’ve applied for eight physician-assistants programs. I’m just waiting to get an interview,” said Abu-Ghannam, a Boardman High School Class of 2012 graduate, who added that his four years at YSU have helped him grow and mature.
Nightingale, a 2010 Warren G. Harding High School grad, said graduating from YSU was a pinnacle moment for him. His plans include applying to medical schools to become a family practitioner, though his options remain open.
During his opening remarks, YSU President Jim Tressel fired up the full house by reminding everyone of the YSU Penguins’ dramatic 40-38 win Saturday evening against Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., which has allowed the team to advance to the FCS championship game Jan. 7 against James Madison in Frisco, Texas.
Tressel then urged the graduates to “take on a leadership role to make your community a better place to live and work,” and to give back to their communities.
“Increase your excellence; increase your merit,” said Tressel, who also praised the graduates and those in the stands who have served in the military, which drew hearty applause.
Delivering a similar message was Sam Covelli, owner and chief executive officer of Warren-based Covelli Enterprises Inc., who gave the commencement address.
The grads should expect failure and learn from it, make positive impacts on their communities, grasp opportunities that come their way, be passionate about what they do and refrain from being overcome by pessimism. In addition, they should expect inevitable ups and downs, take sensible risks, make wise decisions and work hard, Covelli advised.
“There’s no app that can be downloaded that will make you successful,” he said.
After his presentation, Covelli was presented with an honorary doctor of business degree, the highest degree a university can bestow.
Giving a student reflection was Olivia Johnson, an anthropology major with a minor in Spanish, who talked about an earlier ambition to perform on Broadway. After coming to YSU, Johnson said, she learned to believe more in herself and to “push myself and step out of my comfort zone as much as possible.”