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Our Blue Jays always stay active as a college community. This year, we were introduced to many new faces and learned more about some longtime members of the community.  

Here is a roundup of good news, great stories and moments from 2024. 


Congratulations to our Graduates

Our 2024 Commencement Ceremony saw more than 100 Manor College graduates receive diplomas. Student speakers for the event included Neysha Medina and Eddie Fortescue. Independence Blue Cross President and CEO Gregory Deavens received a Doctorate of Humane Letters and served as Commencement Speaker.


Uncovering the Why Behind Manor College’s Go-To Guru

Tamara Ellerbe ‘23 is a testament to the power of resilience, kindness and community. She’s often seen around campus giving tours or finding ways to help others. She gets her personality from her late father, who showed her the importance of community.


Blue Jays Flying High

Manor College Athletics soared to new heights in 2024. Men’s Basketball and Men’s Soccer each made USCAA National Championship Tournament appearances during the year. Baseball held its first season since the pandemic while women’s teams in soccer and basketball competed in Eastern States Athletic Conference play.


Shaped by Service

George McDermott describes his childhood as defiant. Think he can’t do something? He’ll do it anyway. He found a home in the Marines after a recruiter challenged him. After four years of service, he returned home and is a Criminal Justice major at Manor College. At 29, he’s the “Poppop” on the Men’s soccer team. 


A Photo from the Past

Before our Commencement Ceremony, Assistant Director of Marketing Communications Anthony Machcinski spoke with several graduates. He captured their immediate reactions as the graduates viewed photos of themselves from freshman year. 


A Harrowing Tale from a Ukrainian Refugee

Yelyzaveta Mazepa fled Ukraine in the early days of the war. She traveled on foot with her dog and eight-month-old son in hopes of reuniting with her husband in the United States. After arriving here, she found a home at Manor College, where she could take classes necessary to become a nurse. 


One Word to Describe Tracy Davidson is...

The 2024 Evening with Manor honored NBC10 Philadelphia’s Tracy Davidson. We asked those closest to her to describe the honoree in one word. 


Traumatic Experience Inspires Manor Grad to ‘Be a Hero’

Hailey Ramirez was a child when a drunk man entered her home and put a knife to her grandmother’s throat. She called the police, who came and deescalated the incident. Ramirez graduated from Manor College in 2024 with a degree in Criminal Justice where she hopes to enter the police academy. “I want to be the hero for others like those officers were that night for me.”