Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, held its spring commencement on Saturday, May 16, in the Louis J. Tullio Arena in downtown Erie. Three graduates of the Class of 2009 capture the moment with photo ops before the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Megan Kathleen Ryan gives family and friends a thumbs-up during the academic processional. Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting with a minor in management from the Sam and Irene Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Samantha C. Yong welcomed attendees to Penn State Behrend's spring 2009 commencement ceremony. Yong graduated with high distinction, earning a bachelor's degree in communication from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Penn State Behrend conferred 524 degrees to its newest graduates -- 42 associate, 452 bachelor's and 30 graduate. Penn State Behrend began holding its spring commencement ceremony at Tullio Arena in 2006 to accommodate a greater number of graduates and their requests to invite an unlimited number of guests.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

In celebration of Penn State Behrend's 60th anniversary, Thomas B. Hagen, an active Pioneer alumnus and friend of the college, delivered the commencement address. Hagen is chairman of the board of the Erie Insurance Group companies and chairman/owner of Custom Group Industries in Erie. Penn State Behrend's first alumni, known as the Pioneers, are those students from the classes of 1948 to 1962.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Nickolaus Miehl, lecturer in nursing at Penn State Behrend, congratulates one of 29 graduates who earned associate degrees in nursing. These students represent the first nursing class to graduate from the college's two-year program since its inception in fall 2007.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Krystle Antoinette Bell receives a congratulatory hug from a faculty member. While at Penn State Behrend, Bell received a prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to pursue coral reef and Aboriginal studies in Australia. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Jack Burke, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, and a graduate of the Class of 2009 deliver a perfect handshake and exchange on stage.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Members of the mathematics faculty from Penn State Behrend's School of Science were on hand to congratulate students as they exited the commencement stage.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Degrees in hand, graduates are welcomed into the Penn State Behrend Alumni Society and the University-wide Penn State Alumni Association.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

Erin M. Kennedy delivers the farewell address. Kennedy, who served as Student Government Association president during her senior year, graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009

MBA graduates exit Tullio Arena during the commencement recessional. At right, MBA graduate Jennifer Ann Kaleta, who also earned a bachelor's degree in management from Penn State Behrend in 2006, waves to a fellow alumnus.

Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett

Year Taken: 2009