The ceremony will conclude the 273rd academic year at Moravian College
Bethlehem, Pa., May 13, 2015鈥擬oravian College will hold commencement exercises on Saturday, May 16, beginning at 10 a.m., in the outdoor quadrangle behind the Haupert Union Building on the Main Street Campus. The ceremony will conclude the 273rd academic year at Moravian, America鈥檚 sixth-oldest college. In the event of rain, the program will be held in Johnston Hall. Moravian College President Bryon L. Grigsby 鈥90 will confer degrees to approximately 346 bachelor degree candidates, and 37 graduate degrees.
In honor of a longstanding Moravian College tradition, the graduating class elected a student and a faculty member to speak at the commencement ceremony. A graduate student from the Comenius Center (evening and graduate studies) has also been selected to provide remarks.
The College will grant Congressman Charles W. Dent with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his dedication to higher education and the institutions, including Moravian College, which he serves in his district. Congressman Dent will provide remarks at commencement after receiving the honorary degree. He will be presented for the honorary degree by Kenneth J. Rampolla 鈥79, chair, Joint Board of Trustees, and conferred by President Bryon L. Grigsby 鈥90 and Trustee Curtis H. Barnette L.L.D. 鈥02. (Photo: Congressman Dent on a recent visit to the biology lab at Moravian College)
David Siepietowski 鈥15, a biology major and environmental science minor, will serve as the Class Student Speaker for 2015. Siepietowski is a member of the Honors Biological Society and received honors in biology. He participated in SOAR (Student Opportunity Academic Research), and was a member of the Pre-Health Club. He conducted an internship as a research associate at Discovery Labs in Warrington, Pa., and served as an analytical process & technology Intern at Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater, Pa. A member of the Greyhounds football team, he was a team leader for this year鈥檚 spring break service trip to the Grand Canyon, and has served as a senior resident advisor and a community advisor in Residence Life.
鈥淚 want to speak on behalf of the senior class to awaken the confidence and vision, developed in each student over the past four years, and inspire success,鈥 Siepietowski noted. 鈥淚 want to honor every one of my fellow classmates for the journey we have taken together that bonds us as 鈥楪reyhounds鈥 as we pursue our goals and dreams.鈥
The graduating class recently elected faculty member Sabrina Terrizzi, assistant professor of economics and business, to deliver the Statement from the Faculty. Professor Terrizzi teaches and conducts research in the fields of economics and information systems. Her past industry experience as an information and systems engineer along with her current research interests as an applied economist, enable her to provide an enhanced learning environment to students.
From the Comenius Center, MSN degree candidate John Mikovits was selected to deliver the statement of Master鈥檚 graduates. Mikovits, a nursing administration student in the MSN program, is currently the ventricular assist device coordinator at St. Luke鈥檚 University Health Network.
The Moravian College baccalaureate service will be held on Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m., in Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pa. The program will include a call to mindfulness, musical offerings, a reading, remarks, student reflection and a charge to the graduates.
Guitarist Chris Aguayo '15 will perform his piece "Deep Sea" (2014) with Don Sanzo 鈥15, bass. A written offering will be presented by Alexis Wright 鈥15. After a welcome from Gordon Weil, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, the Moravian College Choir will perform "A Time for Everything," written by Aguayo.
President Bryon L. Grigsby 鈥90, will share a greeting and remarks, followed by a reading of "The Bridge Builder" by Will Allen Dromgoole, which was chosen and will be read by Emily Mudd 鈥15. After the alma mater, Heidi New 鈥15 and Ian Murphy 鈥15, accompanied by Michael McAndrew 鈥14, piano, will perform "Take Me As I Am" (Jekyll and Hyde) words by Leslie Bricusse (b.1931) and music by Frank Wildhorn (b. 1958).
Alexandria Boyce 鈥15, Adam Ghoweri 鈥15, and Phoebe Stone 鈥15 will speak briefly, each reflecting on their time at the College. The program will conclude with a "Charge to the Graduates" from Nicole L. Loyd, vice president for student affairs and dean of students.
Moravian College encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Michael Wilson by email: wilsonm@moravian.edu, or by phone 610 861-1365.
Moravian College is a private coeducational liberal arts college, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For over 270 years, the Moravian College degree has been based on a liberal arts curriculum where literature, history, cultural values and global issues, ethics, and aesthetic expression and the social sciences are infused with multidisciplinary perspectives.
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