YSU announces Fall 2024 Commencement speakers
Youngstown State University will hold two Commencement ceremonies Sunday, Dec. 15 in the Beeghly Physical Education Center. Gary Brantley and David Metzler will speak at 1 p.m. during the Undergraduate Commencement ceremony, followed by Ashley Totin and Tyler Fenton at 4:30 p.m. at the Graduate Commencement ceremony.
With over 20 years of leadership in both public and private sectors, Gary Brantley leads digital transformation, football technology, marketing technology, and enterprise IT as the chief information officer (CIO) for the NFL. Brantley served as CIO for the City of Atlanta and Beazer Homes before joining the NFL. In these roles, he spearheaded initiatives to modernize IT infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, and implement innovative solutions to improve civic engagement. His efforts were pivotal in establishing Atlanta as a leader in smart city technology.
Prior to his success in Atlanta, Brantley held leadership positions in healthcare and education, in which his primary focus was advancing digital accessibility and improving operational efficiency. As a nationally recognized leader in technology, he is known to emphasize collaboration, promote diversity and inclusion, and foster innovation.
Brantley graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science from YSU in 2003.
Student speaker, David Metzler will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, accompanied by minors in Chemistry and Wellness. During his time at YSU, he excelled as both a varsity football player and an active campus community member. Having a strong passion for service, he has performed various forms of volunteer work with organizations such as Focus Hippotherapy and United Way.
Metzler has accumulated numerous accolades, including two College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team honors and First and Second-Team Academic All-Missouri Valley Football Conference recognitions. He was the recipient of the Mincey Family Scholarship, Carmen and Gail Policy Scholarship, Dike Beede Scholarship, and Drs. Dianne B. & Michael J. Miladore Scholarship. Having been accepted into several medical schools, Metzler is continuing his dream of becoming a physician.
Ashley Totin serves as the Additive Manufacturing Portfolio Manager at BlueForge Alliance, where she leads initiatives to integrate advanced manufacturing technologies within the U.S. Department of Defense. She supports the U.S. Navy’s goal to certify nine additive manufacturing material and print combinations within three years, focusing on applications such as SUBSAFE components for submarines.
Before her time at Blueforge Alliance, Totin was a Senior Project Engineer at America Makes, developing a digital supply chain for the U.S. Army through the AMNOW program. A YSU alum, she was named to SME’s “30 Under 30” in 2022 and recognized as a “Modern Maker” by Manufacturing USA in 2023. Remaining active with YSU organizations and the surrounding community, Totin holds intense passion for fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government.
Totin graduated from YSU in 2015 with a Bachelor of Engineering and in 2017 with a Master of Science in Engineering.
Student speaker, Tyler Fenton graduated Summa Cum Laude with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Akron before enrolling in YSU’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program. Over the past 4.5 years, he has gained experience as a registered nurse, specifically in cardiovascular care.
As a registered nurse, he has spent significant time working in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Cleveland Clinic – Hillcrest Hospital and the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at University Hospitals – Cleveland Medical Center. Highly trained in critical care nursing and interventional cardiology, Fenton aims to continue providing high-quality care as a Nurse Practitioner following graduation.