Harcum College Commencement 2009
May 16, 2009

On Saturday, May 16,  Harcum College students, families, faculty, administration, board members and guests gathered in the beautiful Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, directly across from campus, for Harcum’s 93rd Commencement ceremony.

Despite the damp weather, Harcum’s graduating seniors voted to process from the campus. They lined up along the walkway outside of Harcum’s Academic Center, and processed to the church, lead by Mace Bearer Heidi Techner, Program Director for Interior Design; Marshals Carole Champlin and Elaine Bell from the General Studies Department; and Flag Bearers Malcom Flamer, ‘09 and Teresa Zaleski, ’09.

President Jon Jay DeTemple, with the help of Provost Ed D’Alessio, conferred upon Pedro A. Cortés, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service. Dr. DeTemple then introduced Secretary Cortés as this year’s commencement speaker.

Secretary Cortés has served as Secretary of the Commonwealth since May, 2003. He oversees the Pennsylvania Department of State. In this role he is the chief election official of the Commonwealth, and his office maintains registration and financial information for charities and oversees all individual professional licensing in business, health and real estate in Pennsylvania.

Pedro Cortés began his address to the Harcum community by congratulating the class of 2009 in their efforts to pursue higher education. Secretary Cortés urged the Harcum graduates “to go above and beyond” in their personal and professional aspirations. Noting that he was the first person in his family to attend college, Secretary Cortés said “as you go forward there will always be people along the way who will help you, as so many people helped me. I refer to these people as my angels.” He urged the graduates to use the skills they had learned to help others and give back to the larger community: “share your success with others, and don’t worry about getting the credit,” he said. He noted that while the cost of college is significant, it should be viewed as a wise investment in one’s future. He noted that many of the graduates will be working in their chosen fields soon after graduation, and he praised Harcum’s innovative, career-oriented programs grounded in the real-world needs of allied health, business and human services professions. Secretary Cortés explained that he looks for two things that define a good employee: the first is technical skills, or aptitude, and the second is people skills and empathy, or attitude. “Combine these two, and you get altitude,” he said. Cortes closed by quoting his favorite baseball player, Roberto Clemente, when he said “any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth."

(from left) David Castro, President and CEO of I-LEAD, a Harcum educational partner, Harcum President Jon Jay DeTemple, and the Honorable Pedro Cortés, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harcum’s Commencement speaker.

Provost Ed D’Alessio presented this year’s Lindback Award to the Nursing department’s Mary Glatts for her intellectually stimulating approach to teaching, enthusiastic encouragement of lifelong learning, and dedication to Harcum’s STARS Nursing program. “To put it another way,” says D’Alessio, “she’s helping to train the people who will someday be taking care of us, or perhaps our children and grandchildren.”

Trustee Alex Klein presented this year’s Phillip Klein Memorial Chair Award to Donna Broderick, Program Director for Harcum’s Allied Health Science and Clinical Laboratory Science Programs, who is “known for her commitment to this institution and her students,” explained Klein. “She encourages and motivates students, and is a model for faculty.”

President DeTemple presented the President’s Award, an award given to a student who has done the most to promote the ideals of the college. This year’s recipient was Michael Yousefian, a Sports Management Major and member of the class of 2009.

Dr. D’Alessio announced the winner of this year’s Harcum award, an award given to the best all-round student in the graduating class in both academic and co-curricular achievement. This year’s Harcum Award was given to Charles Scott, “an ‘A’ student,” an active member of the Bears Basketball team, and a peer mentor.

Beatrice Blackman of Harcum’s Board of Trustees awarded this year’s Academic Excellence Awards to students George Englehardt and Valentina Urban, who have both maintained a 3.98 grade point average, the highest of the graduating class. George graduated from Harcum’s Radiologic Technology program, and Valentina graduated from the Interior Design program.

Dr. George Thornton presented this year’s Student Leadership Award to Amisha Patel, a native of India and an English Language Academy Student, for her outstanding leadership and service to the community.

President DeTemple offered a few parting words for graduates and guests, focusing his message on love, peace and kindness as well as service to others. After Dean Thornton’s Benediction, the graduates began their recession. Graduates and guests made their way towards a lively Commencement reception in the Klein Hall cafeteria, featuring food and a live jazz band.

To see more photos from Commencement, visit Harcum’s Facebook or MySpace pages!