Dr. Cora Dzubak, left, presented the 2014-15 Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award to Jazmine Nixon at the academic awards program in April. Nixon is graduating on Dec. 18 with a degree in human development and family studies.
Elizabeth J. Dellinger, director of treasury management, York Traditions Bank, and member of the Penn State York Advisory Board and the Women's Philanthropic Network, is the commencement speaker.
Penn State York is celebrating its 15th annual fall commencement on Friday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) at the campus. For Jazmin Nixon, 23, graduation day is the culmination of excitement for the month of December, as well as the reward for her hard work both in and out of the classroom. Last week, Nixon completed her internship in the Pennsylvania Legislative Fellowship Program at the State Capitol and presented a draft of legislation she wrote for open textbooks to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Presenting the legislation was the final project of her internship program. The presentation went off without a hitch, and now the legislation must be formally introduced into the House. Although, only members can introduce or sponsor legislation, some legislation presented by previous interns in the program has been picked up by House members in the past.
As a Legislative Fellow, Nixon interned in the Human Services Committee and worked with Ashley McCahan, the executive director of the Human Services Committee under Minority Chairman Representative Angel Cruz. She enjoyed every aspect of her work that began back in September.
Nixon’s legislation would provide for open textbooks (free textbooks), which would be available to students online. The legislation calls for a council of faculty members to be created who would review textbooks for about 20 of the most popular college foundation courses. By having these basic textbooks free, a wide range of students would save money and benefit from the program. The legislation also provides for a grant program to support the creation, use, and access to open textbooks. Nixon hopes her ideas will encourage the House to consider legislation that would help make higher education more affordable.
In addition to working at the State Capitol during the fall semester, Nixon also completed a senior project in the human development and family studies (HD FS) program. Inspired by one of her supervisors at the internship, Nixon decided to follow her passion and do something that would benefit children.
Nixon collected a variety of baby items, from diapers and wipes to clothing and other supplies. The items are being distributed through the YWCA in York. Nixon collected 220 clothing items, 948 diapers, 1,234 wipes, and 120 other items including blankets, coats, bottles, pacifiers, and more. She did the healthy baby initiative as her HD FS senior project under the guidance of faculty member JeanMarie St. Clair-Christman, instructor and field coordinator in human development and family studies at York.
Nixon transferred to Penn State York as a sophomore and since the time she arrived has been making a difference. A familiar face in the Nittany Success Center, Nixon has been a tutor for three years and is an academic coach. She has earned the distinction of being named to the Dean’s List numerous times and her involvement on campus in organizations such as the Blue & White Society and Lion Ambassadors earned her the honor of being named the 2014 Walker Award winner, the highest honor a student can receive at a Penn State campus. She also serves on State Rep. Kevin Schreiber’s (D-York) Collegiate Advisory Council.
In addition to her efforts locally, Nixon also participated in the Study Abroad program in the spring of 2014 and studied at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
She has also has participated in a variety of volunteer activities and community service, helped with New Student Orientation, and is a part of the Graham Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Studies (The Graham Center). She will receive a medallion at commencement for her work as a Graham Fellow. The Graham Center is designed to enhance students’ career preparation experiences through interdisciplinary coursework, mock interviews, workshops in résumé writing, dining etiquette, networking opportunities with local business, and, in some cases, internship experiences. This is the first time the medallions are being presented at commencement.
The 2011 graduate of Dallastown High School has made the most of her education at Penn State York, and on Friday, Dec. 18 she will cross the stage to receive her degree as the student marshal for human development and family studies, an honor she earned for having the highest grade-point average in her major.
Nixon hopes to go on to graduate school and ultimately pursue a career that would allow her to continue her love of public policy, as well as make a difference in the community and maybe even the world.
The commencement speaker for the graduation ceremony is Elizabeth J. Dellinger, director of treasury management for York Traditions Bank in York, Pennsylvania.. Dellinger has more than 20 years banking experience and, in her current position, sells and develops cash management services for business customers including online banking, merchant services for credit card payments, remote deposit capture, electronic funds transfer, and cash receipt and disbursement processing. Throughout her career, Dellinger has worked to encourage women to seek leadership roles and make a difference.
A native of York, Dellinger earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology in 1991 from the University of Delaware, and is a graduate of York Suburban High School. Although she is not a graduate of Penn State, that hasn’t stopped her from devoting a tremendous amount of time working to help Penn State York grow and become a vital part of the York community. She has served on the Penn State York Advisory Board since 2003 and was the board chair for two years, 2011-12. She continues to serve on the board alongside her father, Donald, a Penn State graduate and her blue and white influence, who has been a board member since 1988.
Her continued support of Penn State York and dedication to education is evident in her recent commitment as a charter member of the Women’s Philanthropic Network (WPN) at Penn State York, the first organization of its kind in the history of the University. This is a passion she shares with her mother, Jane, who is also a charter member of the WPN. This new organization brings women together, both face-to-face and with technology, to unite their financial power in a collective voice. The goal of the WPN is to create, nurture, and transform the campus through philanthropy, and encourage the development of women as philanthropic leaders.
Dellinger began her banking career with York Federal and held progressively responsible management and executive positions through the mergers with Waypoint and Sovereign Bank, including vice president, cash management and sales and vice president, relationship manager/portfolio manager.
She has received numerous sales and customer service awards throughout her banking career. She has also been recognized for her community involvement and participation in professional development activities as well as her influence on women and young business leaders. These awards include the Economic Alliances’ Ignite Award, Leadership York’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award, and the Athena Award.
Active in the community, Dellinger currently serves as the president elect of the YWCA of York County, and is a board member for Spirit-Trust Lutheran Foundation and the Salvation Army of York.
In addition to Dellinger, commencement speakers include the following students: the top graduating senior in Penn State York’s baccalaureate programs, Rebecca Ann Macklin, bachelor of science in business, with distinction, York, Pennsylvania; top associate degree graduate in attendance, Jacob Eugene Shorter, associate degree in mechanical engineering technology; Stewartstown; and a top master’s degree graduate, Alissa Kaltreider, master of education in teaching and curriculum, York, Pennsylvania.
Penn State York will award 8 master of education in teaching and curriculum degrees; 35 baccalaureate degrees; 5 bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences; 2 bachelor of arts in English; 11 bachelor of science in business; 1 bachelor of science in electro-mechanical engineering technology; 6 bachelor of science in human development and family studies; 8 bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; and 2 bachelor of science in science. The campus will also award 10 associate degrees: 2 in business administration; 2 in electrical engineering technology; 2 in human development and family studies; 2 in information sciences and technology; and 2 in mechanical engineering technology.
Six students who earned their degrees at another Penn State location will return to York to receive a degree during the ceremony.
For those who cannot attend the event, Penn State York’s commencement can be viewed on Comcast cable channel 18 or streaming live on the campus website.