Lebanon Valley College celebrates 156th commencement with nearly 600 students

Lebanon Valley College’s Class of 2025, some 398 students strong, marked the end of undergraduate studies on Saturday morning, May 10, during LVC’s 156th graduation ceremony.

Later in the day, 193 graduate-level students participated in a separate commencement ceremony in the Louis A. Sorrentino ’54 Gymnasium.

Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett, a member of LVC’s Class of 1971, received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters during the morning ceremony and was the keynote speaker during the afternoon ceremony.

“Collectively, your class already has an impressive record of public service and scholarship,” Corbett said in his address to graduate students. “You have done clinical work in Italy, on military bases and Tribal Lands. You have conducted hearing tests and offered STEM programs in local elementary schools. You have evaluated stroke patients in hospitals and contributed countless hours to the college’s Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing Disorders and CURE Clinic. You have presented research at professional conferences and published your work in professional journals. And this class even has a volunteer fireman.”

At the time of his own graduation, Corbett said, “I didn’t fully appreciate that my education was the foundation for a successful career. Moving forward would require a series of building blocks-consecutive steps of opportunities, experiences, and increasing responsibilities. I had a lot to learn.”

As students begin the next phase of their journey, Corbett offered “several lessons I learned” on his path to the governor’s office.

“One of the first lessons on my path was to recognize that all work has value. You can learn something from every job – from the people you work for and the people you work with. My resume does not include the time I spent flipping burgers or painting all the fire hydrants in Hershey – two summer jobs I did after graduating from LVC,” he said.

“Even with an advanced degree, you may not enter your chosen field at the level or the salary you want. Some of you may already be working but aren’t advancing as quickly as expected. My advice? Be the best at the job you are doing. Work harder than any of your colleagues. Demonstrate that you are prepared for the next step. If that doesn’t work, be open to change. If something doesn’t come your way, go out and find it. Have the courage to forge your own path. Dream big and be relentless in the pursuit of your dream.”

Dr. Daniel Pitonyak, an associate professor of physics, co-chair of chemistry and physics, and winner of the Vickroy Award in 2024, was the morning’s commencement speaker.

Along with honoring graduates, LVC on Saturday revealed the winners of the following major annual awards:

• The H. Anthony Neidig and Gene Bowman Neidig Award (LVC’s top student award) went to Abigail “Abby” Souder ’25, a biology major minoring in chemistry who will attend Penn State College of Medicine this fall.
• The Thomas Rhys Vickroy Distinguished Teacher Award (LVC’s top honor for a full-time faculty member) went to Dr. Justin Mierzwicki, clinical associate professor of physical therapy.
• The Nevelyn J. Knisley Award (LVC’s top part-time or adjunct college faculty member) went to Sarah Bartz, adjunct professor and director of academic success.

Also, Dr. Alan Walker, chair and assistant professor of exercise science, received the Educator of the Year Award from student government members on Friday, April 25. This honor is bestowed annually on a member of the full-time faculty “who embodies the transformative power of the LVC experience, in and out of the classroom,” according to a release.

Also on April 25, campus safety supervisor Brian Boyer received the third annual Administrator or Staff Member of the Year Award, which is presented to a non-faculty member who has significantly impacted a student’s time at LVC.