Former Penn State offensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion Stefen Wisniewski will serve as the commencement speaker for Penn State’s College of Education on Sunday, May 8.

In 2010, Wisniewski graduated from Penn State with a degree in secondary education. During his senior season, Wisniewski taught English at State College Area High School as a member of the College of Education’s full-year Professional Development School program.

As a student-athlete, Wisniewski earned ESPN Academic All-American honors three times (a Penn State first) and was a member of the 2008 Big Ten Championship-winning team.

After graduating, Wisniewski joined the Oakland Raiders as the No. 48 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He played four seasons with the Raiders before signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year deal.

In free agency, Wisniewski signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, earned a three-year contract extension, and won Super Bowl LII in February 2018. Wisniewski signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and won his second Super Bowl title. After a few months with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wisniewski returned to the Chiefs and played in his third career Super Bowl, though his team didn’t win that time.

Wisniewski announced his retirement from professional football in August 2021. Currently, Wisniewski is pursuing a master of divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to aid his career as a pastor.

Penn State’s College of Education will host its spring commencement ceremony starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, May 8, at Pegula Ice Arena.

Wisniewski is the latest high-profile Penn Stater to solidify a gig as a commencement speaker. Former “Saturday Night Live” director Don Roy King will speak at the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications’ own ceremony on Saturday, May 7.

About the Author