May 5, 2002 3 min read

Penn State Fayette’s 2002 commencement exercises will take place Saturday, May 11, at 10:30 a.m. in the Maltho Convocation Center. Students will graduate from the campus’ seven associate degree programs and five baccalaureate degree programs. Prior to the general commencement, graduating nursing students will also take part in the 8:30 a.m. nursing pinning ceremony.

As the student with the highest grade-point average in her degree, Bobbie Jane Hensel will deliver the commencement address, representing the associate degree programs. Hensel, a resident of Mill Run, will receive her associate degree in human development and family studies.

Two students, Gary Wood of Point Marion and Carolyn Wachtel of Uniontown, will deliver addresses representing the baccalaureate degree programs. Wood will graduate from the business program and Wachtel will graduate from the nursing program. Bill Fuller, director of student affairs, will serve as graduation marshall.

State Sen. Richard Kasunic, D-Dunbar, will serve as the keynote speaker for the ceremony.

Kasunic represents Pennsylvania’s 32nd senatorial district. Born Jan. 8, 1947 in Dunbar Township, he is a 1964 graduate of Dunbar Township High School. He received an associate degree in business administration from Robert Morris Junior College in 1967, and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Youngstown State University in 1970.

Kasunic first pursued his career in public service in 1982, being elected to represent the 52nd legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He served in the House for six terms before being elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in November 1994. Prior to his election, he served with the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1970-1976.

Kasunic describes job training, education, and business development as among his top legislative priorities. He is a member of the Senate Democratic Leadership, serving as chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, making him responsible for shaping policy for the Senate Democratic Caucus. His is the Democratic chairman of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee and is a member of the Senate Committees on Rules and Executive Nominations, Labor and Industry and Transportation. He also serves on the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee, State Transportation Advisory Committee and the Pennsylvania Game Commission Habitat Advisory Council. He serves as co-chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and is a member of the Coal Caucus, Fire Caucus and Keystone State Games Legislative Caucus.

Kasunic serves on the Penn State Fayette Campus Advisory Board, the California University of Pennsylvania Somerset Advisory Committee, Fayette County Community Action Agency Board of Directors, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, Fayette County Local Emergency Planning Committee and the Advisory Council of the Youghiogheny River Conservation Plan. He is the honorary chairman of the PA Small Business Development Centers, serves the Public Affairs Council of the Central Fayette Chamber of Business and Industry, and sits on the Highlands Hospital Board of Trustees.

Further, Kasunic is a member of the Saint Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church and many local organizations including the Fayette County Firemen’s Association. He is a member of the National Rifle Association and Dunbar, South Connellsville and Hutchinson Sportsmen’s Clubs.

Student awards for highest grade point averages will be announced during commencement ceremonies. Excellence Award recipients for the 2002 term will also be honored as listed here, according to award designation. Awards are Administrative Excellence, Willard L. Fuller; Scholarly Excellence, Bradley C. Whitsel; Scholastic Excellence, Sandra E. Ryan; Support Services Excellence, Scott L. Williams; Teaching Excellence, Beverly C. Peterson; Adjunct Teaching Excellence, Patrick J. Daugherty; and CE Non-Credit Teaching Excellence, Mary Ann Walters.