Shippensburg University will hold both graduate and undergraduate winter commencement ceremonies this weekend.

The graduate ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center and the undergraduate ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Dec.12 in Heiges Field House. About 90 students are expected to walk in the master’s program and roughly 300 in the undergraduate class.

Two Shippensburg alumni from the computer science department will deliver the graduate ceremony address. Mohammad Siafulla Moosaraza, who received his master’s in 2010, will be accompanied by Neil A. Weaver, a 2011 master’s graduate. Doug Harbach, of the Class of 1982, received his bachelor’s degree in communication/journalism and will present the undergraduate address.

Moosaraza and Weaver founded Radiance Systems in 2007, which is an information technology consulting firm providing services in analytics, reporting and information warehousing based in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Moosaraza earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering in India, then served as a software developer for a worldwide health care IT organization. When he was at SU, he met faculty and students who shared his enthusiasm and assisted him in is goals.

Weaver was a double major as an undergraduate, pursuing both information systems and accounting. He worked for a Fortune 500 manufacturer, and became the CIO of a national healthcare provider during his 10 years with the company. As a Shippensburg student, he collaborated with a local engineering business and fellow classmate Moosaraza to create an award-winning notification system.

Graduate student Emmitt Smith will address his peers during the graduation ceremony, as well as Kim Garris, chairperson of SU’s communication/journalism department.

“I will be speaking on the idea of opportunities presented to young people today, and how we should not take it for granted,” Smith said.

“Some insights about life here is to get involved with the campus, as there are so many relationships that are waiting to be developed,” Smith said. “I will certainly miss Shippensburg University, but I know that the relationships that I have created here will be ones that I hold close for the rest of my life.”

Following the graduate student commencement, Harbach will speak for the undergraduate class.

Harbach has served as the communications director for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board for the last nine years. Prior to his career with the Gaming Board, he worked for former State Rep. Jeff Coy as a consultant for the e-LYNXX Corporation in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and worked in electronic media.

Out side of the university, Harbach is active in the Cumberland Valley community by participating in organizations such as, the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce, Patriot Federal Credit Union, Franklin County Crime Solvers and the Lions Club.

“I plan to talk to the graduates about the importance of really getting to know their own strengths and weaknesses, and to participate in diverse activities so they can uncover these,” Harbach said.”I will also talk about the importance of career mentors, being reliable and prepared, but also making sure that you are having fun in your chosen field.”

Undergraduate student Corey Millard, who will be walking on Saturday, completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology and offers similar advice to students still studying at SU.

“Make sure you’re studying something you enjoy and to stay determined to get all your work done and do your best overall,” Millard said.

After graduation, he plans to go back to his home in Maryland, but is considering moving to Wisconsin with a friend to find a job. After working for the next year or two, Millard hopes to attend graduate school for his master’s in psychology.

More information and updates on both ceremonies are available at ship.edu/graduation or by calling (717) 477-1200.

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