Jeromee Geibel of Butler, a graduate student in business administration, graduated Friday from Slippery Rock University. He was recognized as Outstanding Graduate Student.

Slippery Rock University graduated about 1,700 students over the weekend in the Morrow Field House.

“It was a great day for our university and a great day for our graduates,” said Rita Abent, SRU executive director for communication and public affairs.

Abent said part of the increase was a boost from some of the university's new programs.

“It was a little larger this year than in the past,” Abent said. “This was our first graduating cohort in the master's in physician assistant program.”

The graduate studies ceremony was Friday night and two undergraduate ceremonies were staggered on Saturday.

The graduation ceremonies were well attended, according to Abent.

“We were at a full house; 2,500 in the morning and similar numbers in the afternoon,” Abent said. “There was nearly that number Friday night too for the graduate commencement.”

Jeromee Geibel of Butler, a graduate student in business administration, walked during Friday night's graduate commencement.

“It was definitely a great experience for myself and everyone there,” Geibel said.

Geibel had been recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Student last month.

“Whenever you're getting honored for all the hard work you've put it, it's always a special experience,” he said.

Geibel, who earned his bachelor's degree in engineering at Penn State Behrend, said he worked his job with CMC of Saxonburg throughout his master's degree studies, and the university helped him balance his work and school life.

“I always wanted to kind of move to sales and project management side,” Geibel said.

Geibel said he will cherish his time as a Rocket.

“Slippery Rock's always been a big part of my life. It will continue to be,” he said. “I'll always be proud of my time at Slippery Rock.”