Spring Program 2026
- Processional (Audience requested to stand if able)
“Pomp and Circumstance” by Sir Edward Elgar - Chief Marshal
Dr. Elizabeth T. Bugaighis, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs - Grand Marshal
Patrice M. Boulous ’82, SEVIS Compliance Officer - The National Anthem (Audience requested to stand)
NCC Quartet* - Welcome
Dr. Elizabeth T. Bugaighis, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs - Greeting and Opening Comments
Dr. David A. Ruth, President - Board of Trustees Greeting
Robert R. Fehnel ’75, Chair, Board of Trustees - Introduction of Student Speaker
Dr. Marc P. Singer, Provost & Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs - Greetings From the Class of 2026
Larissa Fernandez Estevez, Biological Science, Class of 2026 - Introduction of Faculty Speaker
Dr. Marc P. Singer, Provost & Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs - Faculty Speaker
Dr. Melenese Sivells, Professor, Early Childhood Education - Introduction of Commencement
Speaker Dr. David A. Ruth, President - Commencement Speaker
Dr. Ron Yoshida, Former Provost, Lehigh University - President’s Commencement Scholarship Presented to
Talia Ortiz, Health Sciences Major - Presentation and Conferral of Degrees
Dr. David A. Ruth, President
Assisted by Dr. Elizabeth T. Bugaighis, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs
Dr. Eric H. Rosenthal, Associate Vice Provost & Dean of Students, Academic & Student Affairs -
Awarding of Degrees
- School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Dr. Christine M. Pense, Dean, School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences - School of Business and Industry
Dr. Stacy Price, Associate Dean, School of Business and Industry - School of Education and Academic Foundations
Dr. Catherine Given, Dean, School of Education and Academic Foundations - School of Health Professions and Science
Dr. Allen M. Kotun, Dean, School of Health Professions and Science - Introduction of Alumni Speaker
Dr. David A. Ruth, President - New Alumni Welcome
Laney Steele ’20, Product Manager, MCS Industries, Inc. - Trustee Leadership Award
Presented to Maura Ceglia, Communication Design Print/Web, Class of 2026
Presented by Bruce A. Palmer, ’77, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees - Alma Mater (Audience requested to stand if able)
NCC Quartet* - Recessional (Audience requested to stand if able)
Danza Kudoro by Don Omar, followed by C’Est La Vie by Khaled
The audience is requested to remain in place until after the academic procession. A reception immediately follows today’s ceremony. The international flags flying today represent the countries of the international students graduating this year.
