April 27—Ailah Charles sat patiently Saturday at the University of Pittsburgh Wellness Center in Johnstown, counting the minutes until graduation alongside more than 400 peers in caps and gowns .
“I feel amazing,” Charles said.
Charles is a native of New Jersey and studied civil engineering with a minor in mathematics at Pitt-Johnstown.
She began pursuing this career in high school and said that every time she passed road construction work, she always thought she wanted to be involved in that process.
Earning her bachelor’s degree from Pitt-Johnstown was difficult, she admitted, but she credited her professors for helping her get through it.
“It’s definitely been an adventure, an emotional roller coaster,” Charles said.
Adam Carpinello, an engineering student at Hastings, said he was relieved that graduation day had finally arrived.
He joked that school was a long time coming, but he’s just happy it all ended well, although the 22-year-old said the day was emotional for his mother because he is the youngest of a family of two.
Family and friends filled the on-campus wellness center and gave students a standing ovation as they walked to their seats as well as when the group moved their pom poms from right to left, signifying they were now graduates.
This year’s keynote address was given by retired U.S. Navy Admiral Michelle Howard.
University President Jem Spectar introduced the speaker and provided insight into her distinguished military career. Howard was the first woman to achieve the rank of four-star admiral and be appointed to the position of vice chief of naval operations.
She was also the first black woman to reach the ranks of vice admiral and admiral in any branch of the U.S. armed forces and to command a ship in the Navy, among other honors.
Howard shared with the crowd the stories and lessons his mother taught him growing up.
She told them that one of the most impactful lessons she received was the importance of doing what is right because it is right and will help the community.
Howard also covered the history of women in the armed forces and the need to face adversity, overcome challenges and make a difference before speaking directly to the graduates.
“Some of you are going to go on and become fantastic leaders,” Howard said.
Howard finished by telling them the story of his siblings being taught how to light a fire with a single match from their mother and the symbolism of using those skills in life.
“Don’t be afraid to use leadership,” Howard said.
Taylor Harrity, a secondary education major from Johnstown, said the whole back-to-school experience didn’t seem real.
“Overall, I’m excited, excited, but nervous,” she said.
Harrity plans to move to Florida with her fiancé and teach math after graduation.
For parents Michael and Alison Haak, Saturday’s ceremony was also a surreal moment.
The couple was there to cheer on their daughter Claire, who is graduating with a degree in biology and planning to attend graduate school at Thomas…
