Alvernia University

Alvernia University celebrated more than 550 students in the Class of 2025 with a weekend of events including commencement at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, Pa., on Saturday evening. The ceremony, which featured a speech from Philadelphia Mayor the Honorable Cherelle L. Parker, included Alvernia's first graduating class of the John R. Post School of Engineering. "For many of the students here today, we started together during the uncertainty of the pandemic ... And here we are today, celebrating all that you've accomplished," said President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., who welcomed the graduates after they processed through a tunnel of their professors. "In you, all of you, I see the standard by which we ought to measure our own actions. You, our graduates, are the embodiment of what gives us reason to hope. Yes, there is much in the world today that can dishearten us. But alongside the challenges, there are also quiet heroes - like you - lighting the way forward." Fitzgerald's speech spotlighted impact stories of several students who led with conviction and compassion, and reflected on the four years she has spent with the class, first as Provost, then as President. She also highlighted the first cohort of engineers, including Faith Bentz, who will begin a full-time position with Brentwood Industries, a battery manufacturer that collaborated with Alvernia through the Alvernia Engineering Advisory Board. "Faith took a chance on a brand-new program - and today, she becomes one of Alvernia's first engineering graduates," said Fitzgerald. "After interning with Brentwood Industries and learning in the labs that Brentwood so graciously help fund, she now joins their team as a full-time Product Development Engineer, proving that small classes, fruitful partnerships and big dreams are a powerful combination at Alvernia." Student speaker Elijah Carr '25 addressed the class noting the value of higher education as well as the impact that Alvernia had on him and his peers prompting them to continue to make their mark on the world after graduation. "For a while, I questioned the true purpose of college. In a world full of many different and technologically advanced paths to success, why do we go," questioned Carr. "You can have experiences anywhere, but you can't be set up to grow the way Alvernia sets you up. The small class sizes, the hands-on learning, the leadership opportunities-this university doesn't just prepare you for a career, it prepares you for life...The world eagerly awaits your brilliance, your passion, and your boundless potential. Go forth and make your mark on the world, knowing that you carry with you the values of Alvernia and the spirit of service, compassion, and humility." Parker, the 100th mayor of the City of Philadelphia and the first woman elected to the post, was presented with an honorary degree of humane letters and served as the commencement speaker to inspire the Class of 2025. In her speech, she reflected on the experiences that shaped her, including being a first-generation college student, Ivy League graduate, and a single mother. She inspired the graduates by sharing anecdotes she learned in her own studies that became integral tools in her life. "Four letters: G.R.I.T. Grit is more powerful than socioeconomic status," said Parker. "The great psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as the power of passion and perseverance to achieve very long-term goals. I know that you all are gritty because as we counted it back, many of you became students here in order to be sitting in these seats during the worst black swan event that we could have never predicted in our nation, and that was in the middle of COVID. And, while some were trying to find their way, it was not a coincidence that you became laser focused on determining that this was where you needed to make an investment right now. So, I don't care if you were a traditional student, I don't care if you were online, you decided that you would focus your time and attention on pursuing academic excellence and that demonstrates grit." She closed her speech with her congratulations and shared that "As long as you work hard and you're willing to learn, I don't care what your socioeconomic status is, you deserve to have a seat at the table and be in the room if you are willing to earn it." Graduates then earned their associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. The ceremony concluded with a benediction prayer serving as a blessing for the graduates as they go into the world that was led by Reverend George Osei Ababio '25, who also earned his Master of Business Administration degree at the ceremony. A scrolling list of names of every graduate appeared on video boards in the arena as students and families exited, cheering and posing for one last set of celebratory photos. Celebrations began Friday and continued all day Saturday ahead of commencement including Nursing and Occupational Therapy pinning ceremonies, a senior athlete award reception, an honors convocation and a baccalaureate mass at the Sacred Heart Chapel on campus in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters' Motherhouse. This allowed for more accessible travel for parents and other loved ones to participate. Alvernia University Class of 2025 By the Numbers: 560 total graduates 468 Pennsylvania Residents 253 Berks County Residents 4,200 miles is the farthest distance traveled for students within the U.S. (Anchorage, Ak.) and 6,600 miles is the farthest distance traveled (Saudi Arabia) to attend Alvernia University 192 are first-generation college graduates 69 is the age of the oldest graduate 19 is the age of the youngest graduate 8 graduates are military veterans 14 international graduates from 6 countries (Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Nicaragua, Canada and Ghana

Alvernia University celebrated more than 600 students in the Class of 2024 with a commencement ceremony at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading, Pa. on May 11, 2024 as a part of a revamped graduating student celebration weekend in front of family and friends. "This year's commencement carries a profound significance for each one of us," said Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "Being together holds a special meaning for the over 400 students here who graduated high school in May 2020, when the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic deprived you of this pivotal milestone. I hope you've had the opportunity in recent weeks to honor this rite of passage. Rest assured, these cherished traditions that you helped create will be here ready to welcome you back to campus." Graduates earned associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees as the university celebrated an indoor commencement at Santander Arena for the first time since 2019. Beginning this year, the university restructured its graduating student event schedule to allow for more accessible travel for parents and other loved ones to participate in the various events, which included health science programs pinning ceremonies, a senior athlete award reception, an honors convocation and a baccalaureate mass. "The Class of 2024 has faced unparalleled challenges, navigating the turbulent waters of the COVID-19 pandemic with unwavering strength and resilience," said student speaker and youngest graduate Cora Cox. "Despite the upheaval it brought to our lives, we refused to be defined by adversity. Instead, we rose to the occasion, demonstrating extraordinary adaptability and perseverance in the face of uncertainty. The world eagerly awaits your brilliance, your passion, and your boundless potential. Go forth and make your mark on the world, knowing that you carry with you the values of Alvernia and the spirit of service, compassion, and humility." Longtime public service executive and global engagement leader George S. Rice, Jr. '85 was presented with an honorary degree of humane letters and shared his experiences through the concepts of language and space to inspire the Class of 2024. "The imprint you make will set the tone for those who come after you," said Rice. "They'll need your vision. My generation and every generation are represented in this room we need your vision. What you're taking away today from Alvernia isn't a rote vision to implement. Rather, it's the capacity to take in all that you experience in order to shape a vision. To use language and intent to nurture that vision. To make that vision the space in which we live. The space where we can all thrive." As the ceremony concluded, a scrolling list of names of every graduate, appeared on the newly installed video boards at the arena and Santander Arena, and confetti cannons showered the graduates in maroon and gold confetti. Alvernia University Class of 2024 By the Numbers: 606 total graduates 503 Pennsylvania Residents 260 Berks County Residents 2,900 miles is the farthest distance traveled for students within the U.S. to attend Alvernia University 130 are first-generation college graduates 18 is the age of the youngest graduate 62 is the age of the oldest graduate 11 graduates are military veterans 8 countries represented by graduating students See the commencement stories, photos and videos by CLICKING HERE.

610 students earned associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Alvernia University during the 2022-23 academic year. Graduates from August 2022, December 2022 and May 2023 celebrated by walking across the stage during a pair of commencement ceremonies on May 13, 2023. "Four years ago, we welcomed many of you, both students and guests alike, to our university at our Opening Convocation," said President-Elect, Dr. Glynis A. Fitzgerald. "Flash forward to today and I can honestly say we have transformed together in so many ways. I've loved the opportunities to get to know you and your unique stories."

Over 670 students earned associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Alvernia University during the 2021-22 academic year. Graduates from August 2021, December 2021 and May 2022 celebrated by walking across the stage on May 14, 2022.

Nearly 650 students earned associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Alvernia University during the 2020-21 academic year. Graduates from August 2020, December 2020 and May 2021 celebrated by walking across the stage at First Energy Stadium on May 15, 2021.

More than 700 students earned associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Alvernia in May. Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement ceremonies were held May 11th.

The Alvernia University Class of 2017 earned associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees this May. Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement ceremonies were held May 13.

Students earned Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and Doctoral degrees from Alvernia University, December 2016.

The Alvernia University Class of 2018 earned associate, bachelor, master and doctoral degrees this May. Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement ceremonies were held May 12.

After several years of hard work, graduates earned Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership degrees from Alvernia University.

Alvernia students in the School of Graduate and Adult Education completed their master's degrees this may.

Graduates completing the five year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Alvernia University earn both master's and bachelor degrees.

Alvernia undergraduate students earned Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Social Work degrees this fall.

Alvernia undergraduate students earn Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Social Work degrees this May.

After several years of hard work, graduates earned Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership degrees from Alvernia University.

These Alvernia School of Graduate and Adult Education students earned Master of Arts, Master in Business Administration, Master of Education, and Master of Science in Nursing degrees this fall.

Graduates completing the five year Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at Alvernia University earn both master's and bachelor degrees.

Alvernia undergraduate students earn Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Social Work degrees this May.

Alvernia students in the School of Graduate and Adult Education earn Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, Master of Arts in Community Counseling, Master in Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership degrees this May.

Alvernia students in the School of Graduate and Adult Education earn Master of Arts, Master in Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership degrees this December.

Alvernia undergraduate students earn Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Social Work degrees this December.

Alvernia undergraduate students earn Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Social Work degrees this May.

Alvernia students in the School of Graduate and Adult Education earn Master of Arts, Master in Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership degrees this May.

Sara Marie Soto from Birdsboro, Pa., is earning an Associate of Science degree in Business from Alvernia University.

The following local students will graduate from Alvernia University on December 15, 2013:

The following local students will receive Master's Degrees from Alvernia University on May 11, 2013:

The following local students will graduate from Alvernia University on May 11, 2013:

The following local students will graduate from Alvernia University on December 16, 2012:

The following local students will graduate from Alvernia University on December 16, 2012: