Pennsylvania Western University

Madison Messina walked across the stage on December 13 to receive her Master of Science in speech-language pathology, marking the culmination of a two-degree journey at PennWest Edinboro.

Nearly 3,000 undergraduate students at Pennsylvania Western University (PennWest) have been named to the Dean's List for the Fall 2025 semester, recognizing their outstanding academic achievement.

A lockdown-era spark became a calling. Fredericktown, Pennsylvania, native Lauren Sims started tinkering with computers around age 15 and then enrolled at PennWest California as a criminal justice major. Conversations with faculty - and a course that covered cybersecurity and cyber forensics - showed her how to merge that passion with justice. She added concentrations in cyber forensics and forensic investigation, plus a computer information systems minor to "get the best of both sides."

Ansley Burke remembers having a student teacher from Clarion during her 5th grade year at Immaculate Conception Parish School. She recalls the fun that the student teacher brought and her own sadness when the student teacher completed her assignment at IC.

When Coal Center, Pennsylvania, native Addison Gregory enrolled in her first PennWest course as a sophomore at California Area High School, she didn't realize just how far the opportunity would take her. Today, she's a biology/pre-medical science major with an honors interdisciplinary minor - already a sophomore in her first semester of college - and on a clear path toward a career in dentistry.

Madison Wakefield grew up watching her mother work with individuals with disabilities, planting a seed of purpose early on. When she arrived at PennWest Edinboro, a nationally recognized disability-friendly campus, Wakefield knew she wanted to help. Yet, when graduate students spoke to her class about the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), she was intimidated.

Three PennWest University students are gaining valuable hands-on experience in finance and investment research as participants in the CFA Society of Pittsburgh's Investment Research Challenge, a regional competition that mirrors the work of professional financial analysts.

Selamawit Yilma is the 2025 Keepers of the Flame recipient for PennWest Clarion. The Keepers of the Flame Award honors individuals whose leadership, dedication and impact have strengthened the PASSHE community.

The PennWest Department of Visual and Performing Arts will present Law and Order: Fairy Tale Unit - a hilarious twist on the classic tale of the Three Little Pigs - Oct. 16-18 in Steele Hall, located on the PennWest California campus. Showtimes are Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m.

For PennWest student Rachael Chobany, the road to her dream career wasn't a straight line. But thanks to the supportive community at PennWest California, her journey was paved with discovery, mentorship and opportunity.

Ari Kaser's path to becoming a PennWest California golfer and a two-time PSAC Athlete of the Week was a series of unexpected turns. A gymnast for most of her life, the Wadsworth, Ohio, native picked up golf after a shoulder injury at age 14 led her to seek a new sport. With a golf coach for a father and a family full of golfers, she had grown up surrounded by the game. Her gymnastics background gave her a unique advantage: the ability to "hit the ball really far, especially for a girl."

When Sydney Cochran passes through the Natali Student Center on the PennWest California campus, she hopes students see someone they can approach.

When PennWest Edinboro senior Taney Basinger steps into a studio or classroom, her energy and drive are immediately evident. Whether leading an animation project, mentoring new students, or curating social media content for a national landmark, Basinger embodies the qualities of a young leader on the rise. That dedication earned her recognition this fall as Edinboro's nominee for the ATHENA Young Professional Award. The award, an extension of the internationally renowned ATHENA Leadership Award, honors outstanding young college students who demonstrate both professional excellence and a commitment to serving their communities.

Five PennWest students gave oral presentations at the Duquesne-PennWest Conference on Global Bioethics, held at Duquesne University's campus in Pittsburgh from November 7-9.

Four Edinboro personal financial planning and accounting students are volunteering this spring to prepare and file taxes of low-to-moderate income workers in Erie County, Pa.

Sarah Seader, from Centerville, Pa., has been selected to serve as a student member of the Pennsylvania Western University Council of Trustees. Seader is a junior at the PennWest California campus. An Honors student, she is completing two degrees: Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She is also pursuing a Certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Edinboro University senior Beau Henry has been awarded an Addison Gibson Foundation Educational Grant for the 2021-2022 academic year.