Point Park University Celebrates 65th Commencement and Hooding Ceremonies

Point Park University celebrated the graduation of undergraduate and graduate students in two ceremonies on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at PPG Paints Arena.

Graduate Hooding Ceremony

At the 9 a.m. Graduate Hooding, the University conferred 79 master's degrees and 23 doctoral degrees.

Randy Baird, a two-time Point Park alumnus, gave the keynote address. Baird, who has both a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from Point Park, has been a part-time instructor at Point Park in the Rowland School of Business for 28 years.

Baird encouraged the graduates to reach for the highest possible goals: "Today, make it a great day, and tomorrow, make it a great, great life. Strive for happiness and reach as high as you can. In the game of life, leave it all on the field. Make an impact.”

Randy Baird '88 '99, gave the Graduate Hooding keynote address.

Guilia Follador, who received both her B.S. in Accounting and her MBA on Saturday, was the student speaker. Follador, an international student from Italy and student-athlete, had a unique experience, yet acknowledged that every graduate had their own stories of perseverance, ambition and courage.

Follador shared an Italian idiom with her fellow graduates: "Chi non risica, non rosica. Those who don't take risks, don't gain. We've proven to ourselves that we can take risks, that we can handle the unexpected, and that we will figure it out — just like we always have. We may not have all the answers right now, but we have the strength, the knowledge, and the determination to find our way."

Guilia Follador was the student speaker at the Hooding Ceremony.

Graduate Hooding Ceremony Photo Album

(View and download more photos by John Altdorfer until May 10.)

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

The University conferred 611 bachelor's degrees at Undergraduate Commencement.

In his charge to the graduates, President Chris Brussalis extoled the virtues of the unique urban education received at Point Park. "Point Park has always believed in the power of urban education — the idea that learning is not confined to classroom walls, but is a dynamic, interactive experience that connects academic knowledge with real-world impact. You are the embodiment of that philosophy. Throughout your time here, you've learned to be adaptable, creative, and compassionate — skills that are more crucial now than ever before."

President Chris Brussalis gave a charge to the graduates.

Lieutenant Governor Austin A. Davis gave the keynote address. Davis, a former member of the Point Park University Board of Trustees, is the youngest lieutenant governor in the country and the first African-American lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania history. He is a native of McKeesport, where he got involved in his community as a teenager after a shooting in his neighborhood. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied political science, he pursued a career in public service. In 2018, he became the first African-American to represent the Mon Valley and McKeesport in the state House of Representatives.

Davis encouraged students to seek the good of the community in the careers that they choose: “Work to serve the people in your life and your community. Help those who are less fortunate. Fight injustice, wherever and whenever you see it. Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.”

He continued, “I want to encourage all of you to do all the good you can in all of the places you can, whether that’s in the corporate world or in your community, whether that’s in your church or at a coffee shop, whether that’s with your significant other or with a stranger. There’s never a wrong time to do the right thing.”

Lt. Gov. Austin A. Davis was the Commencement keynote speaker.

Arden Adams, who received a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, was the student speaker. Adams encouraged the graduating class to confront the upcoming challenges with the courage and resilience they learned throughout their education.

"We will all enter this new chapter equipped with knowledge, resilience, and creativity to design a better world, lit by the fire of our experiences here," Adams said. "Remember, it's not just what we achieve but how we achieve it."

Arden Adams was the commencement student speaker.

Special Honors at Commencement

Steve Blass was given an honorary degree by the University. Blass played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1964 to 1974 and was part of the 1971 World Series-winning team. He then spent 34 years as a commentator for the Pirates' games.

"At 18, the Pittsburgh Pirates gave me the chance to live my dream. I continue to live that dream to this day. This is my 66th year of involvement with the Pirates." Blass continued, "Loyalty is a huge thing for me. It's a bit of a difficult time right now for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but they will have my loyalty for the rest of my life. I will never quit on them or the city of Pittsburgh."

Steve Blass received an honorary degree.

Two faculty members were given the Distinguished Teaching Award. Professors were nominated by students, staff and faculty, and the winners were selected by members of the Campus Academic Resources Committee, chaired by Linda Hippert, Ed.D. At the ceremony, she announced the winners: full-time professor Kristen Misutka and part-time professor and Pittsburgh Playhouse Prop Master Katherine Mukula-Wineman. The winners will receive a stipend and a framed certificate.

After turning their tassels, the graduates were officially welcomed into the Alumni Association by Veronika Panagiotou from the Alumni Board of Directors.

Commencement Ceremony Photo Album