Local residents participate in Donning of the Stole ceremony

Some Baldwin residents were among the nearly 70 members of The University of Scranton’s class of 2023 who participated in the Jesuit school’s Donning of the Stole Ceremony.

The annual ceremony celebrates and honors the accomplishments of members of its class of 2023 from underrepresented identities, who received their undergraduate and graduate degrees. The purpose of the ceremony, which was a student-led initiative, was to highlight the students’ success in overcoming the particular barriers and obstacles faced by students from these groups, particularly students of color, in attaining a higher education.

The students honored include outstanding academic and leadership achievement award recipients, future physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, accountants, business analysts, forensic chemists, nurses, and many other highly successful members of the University’s graduating class.

The ceremony, organized by the student committee members and Jose Sanchez, assistant director of the University’s Cultural Centers, took place on campus as part of Scranton’s commencement activities and events.

Ayana McCalla of North Baldwin was one of the two Baldwin residents that participated in this event. McCalla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology with a minor in criminology and a concentration in legal studies. She was among the student speakers at the University’s Donning of the Stole Ceremony.

McCalla was a Dean’s List student at Scranton. She participated with the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union, the United Cultures Organization, and PILLAR and was a ROCK mentor. She interned with Lackawanna Pro Bono.

The other Baldwin resident who participated in this event was Tanya Siberon. Siberon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and counseling and human services. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she was accepted to the University’s accelerated Master’s Program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Siberon participated in the University’s Performance Music Jazz Band, Concert Band, Choir, Brass Quintet, and was among the four University of Scranton students who were selected to participate and perform in the 75th Annual Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band Festival in 2023. She was a member of the stage crew for the LIVA Arts Company. Siberon also interned with Dress for Success Lackawanna and held an advanced internship with Children’s Advocacy Center.

Off-campus, Siberon volunteered with the Nativity Miguel School and St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen and was a childcare worker at Hispanic Brotherhood in Rockville Center, New York.