DR. MAURA FRANCIS WAS THE COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER, MAY 4, AT PENN STATE BEAVER. (PHOTO CREDIT: PENN STATE BEAVER)
The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that former Penn Hills resident and 2016 Penn State Beaver graduate Dr. Maura Francis was the commencement speaker for the university’s spring 2024 graduation ceremony, Saturday, May 4.
“It wasn’t too long ago that I was in your shoes,” Dr. Francis joked as she took the podium. “Eight years flew by so fast.”
In a Penn State Beaver news story written by Director of Campus Relations Kristen Doerschner dated April 30, Doerschner discussed Dr. Francis’ humble beginnings.
DR. MAURA FRANCIS
“A native of Penn Hills, (Dr.) Francis went to live with her older sister at the age of 13 as her parents struggled with addiction. She went through high school striving to succeed, taking advanced placement classes and participating in cheerleading. She was accepted to Penn State Beaver where she continued her academic success, was a resident assistant, and a student leader, earning the Walker Award in 2015.
“Her family background compelled her to want to help kids who are at-risk, she said. Encouraged by her adviser, Kevin Bennett, full teaching professor of psychology, she applied to graduate school.
“While she was in the application process— challenging in and of itself—she was asked by campus administrators to speak at the University’s Board of Trustees meeting during a campus visit in the summer of 2015. Though she was hesitant, she agreed, and that meeting became another turning point for (Dr.) Francis.
“Then-trustee Alice Pope asked (Dr.) Francis about her future plans. When (Dr.) Francis said she was planning to attend graduate school, Pope—a Penn State triple alumna and now-retired associate professor of psychology at St. John’s —encouraged (Dr.) Francis not only to get her doctorate, but to apply to St. John’s.”
Dr. Francis was accepted into St. John’s and is now a proud graduate of the New York school, receiving her doctorate in Child Psychology. Dr. Francis is now a clinical psychologist for the Manhattan Psychology Group where she works with children, adolescents and their families.
As the new graduates looked on, Dr. Francis told them to remember three main points. The first? “Your journey is making the best out of what you have by embracing reality,” she said. “Feel all your feelings and welcome them in. Own that this is your story, this is your journey, and learn how to be flexible and let go of those societal expectations.”
The second? “Lean on that support to help you get through the different stages of your life. Delayed gratification is bittersweet, but your community will help you get there. You don’t have to always be at 100 percent, you just have to stick to your goals, adjust as necessary and just keep going.”
And Dr. Francis’ final word of wisdom? “I’m a huge believer that you are where you’re supposed to be, and if you have to convince yourself, keep those tests, those papers that you did well on, those emails with those encouraging words, re-read those letters of recommendation your professor wrote you, keep those awards in a place where you can see them everyday, embrace uncertainty and enjoy the beauty of becoming, and what’s meant for you will never miss you.”
PHOTOS FROM PENN STATE BEAVER’S 2024 SPRING COMMENCEMENT…
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