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Staff photo / Allie Vugrincic
Jean OâConnell Spalla of Girard holds onto her diploma after receiving her Ph.D. from Youngstown State University Saturday afternoon in an outdoor ceremony at Stambaugh Stadium.
YOUNGSTOWN The meaning behind the expression on Alexis Porterfield’s mortarboard runs considerably deeper than her decision to travel some 300 miles to attend college.
“It stuck with me. Eventually, I plan to get my Ph.D. and keep going until I can’t,” said Porterfield, of Accokeek, Md., referring to the phrase that read, “There’s just no telling how far I’ll go.”
The exercise-science major, who’s a year from earning a master’s degree, added the saying atop her cap also is symbolic of her resolve to continue forging ahead and refusing to allow obstacles related to the health pandemic to stop her.
YOUNGSTOWN The meaning behind the expression on Alexis Porterfield’s mortarboard runs considerably deeper than her decision to travel some 300 miles to