PSU grads going global

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UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State introduced its first graduates from the College of International Affairs on Saturday.

Eight graduate students completed the program, which began in 2007.

Craig Houtz

Penn State senior David Peetz, finance, celebrates during commencement at the Bryce Jordan Center on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009. CDT/Craig Houtz

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“You’re the first one going in, so you can make the most of it, said Sandra Gonzalez De Del Pilar, who came to the program with some professional experience.

“The faculty was really good, really impressive,” said Gonzalez De Del Pilar. “We had speakers every week on topics — they were experts in their field, teaching us how to match, to bridge what we were learning with real life,” she said. Now, she wants to go on to find work in implementation of international policies or development.

Greg Kruczek, who wants to get his doctorate and eventually teach, said he got to work with distinguished faculty, such as former U.S. ambassador to Peru and Mozambique, Dennis Jett, from whom he gained a “wealth of knowledge” about one of his areas of interest, Africa.

“I feel honored that we were part of the first class,” said Greg Kruczek. “There is a ton of potential that’s only going to get better.”

Kruczek and Gonzalez De Del Pilar were two of about 700 graduate students getting their diplomas at Penn State’s winter commencement at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Another 2,386 undergraduates had their ceremony at the Bryce Jordan Center early Saturday morning, and eight people received their associate degrees.

Graduates from all colleges and all backgrounds walk together for winter commencement.

The one thing uniting them — pride for Penn State.

“Penn State’s got an outstanding reputation,” said Kruczek, who also attended the university for his undergraduate studies. “It looked like a great fit,” he said, when choosing to continue his studies.

The experience, even being one of the first in a new program, didn’t disappoint, he said.

Sara Ganim can be reached at 231-4616.