Order of Exercises

Musical Prelude
The Allentown Band
Ronald H. Demkee, Conductor

The Processional*
The Allentown Band
"Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 & 4" by Edward Elgar

The Invocation*
Rabbi Steven P. Nathan, Endowed Director of Jewish Student Life and Associate Chaplain

National Anthem*
Led by John B. Pheasant ’25G

Welcome
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President

Greetings
Nathan N. Urban, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Graduate Student Remarks
Mohammadhossein Mohammadisiahroudi ’24G

Introduction of the Commencement Speaker
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President 

Commencement Address
James T. Wassil ’99G ’05G, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Vaxcyte, Inc.

Conferring of Degrees and Doctoral Hooding**
Nathan N. Urban, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs 
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business
College of Education
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
College of Health
Inter-College Programs

Remarks
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President

The Benediction*
Rabbi Steven P. Nathan, Endowed Director of Jewish Student Life and Associate Chaplain

Alma Mater*
Led by Amanda M. Curry, M.D. ’14 ’25G

The Recessional*
The Allentown Band
"Coronation March" from The Prophet by Giacomo Meyerbeer

*Members of the audience are requested to stand as they are able as the academic procession enters and leaves Goodman Stadium.

**It is important that your graduate’s name is pronounced correctly as they cross the stage today. To ensure pronunciation is on point, graduates had the ability to provide phonetic and audio-recorded pronunciations of their names through Tassel software by April 21.

Musical Prelude
The Allentown Band
Ronald H. Demkee, Conductor

The Processional*
The Allentown Band
"Pomp and Circumstance Marches Nos. 1 & 4" by Edward Elgar

The Invocation*
Reverend Lloyd H. Steffen, University Chaplain

National Anthem*
Led by Anna Elizabeth Forebaugh ’25

Welcome
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President

Greetings
Nathan N. Urban, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Undergraduate Student Remarks
Kaitlyn Marie Powel ’25

Introduction of the Commencement Speaker
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President 

Commencement Address
Kate Johnson ’89, President and CEO, Lumen Technologies

Conferring of Degrees**
Nathan N. Urban, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Business
P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science
College of Health
Inter-College Programs

Remarks
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President 

Ringing of the Bell
Ethan F. Riester ’25 and Karen L. Stuckey ’75 ’10P

The Benediction*
Imam Tariq Ameer, Director of Muslim Student Life

Alma Mater*
Led by Mia Juliette Miranda ’25

The Recessional*
The Allentown Band
"Coronation March" from The Prophet by Giacomo Meyerbeer

*Members of the audience are requested to stand as they are able as the academic procession enters and leaves Goodman Stadium. 

**It is important that your graduate’s name is pronounced correctly as they cross the stage today. To ensure pronunciation is on point, graduates had the ability to provide phonetic and audio-recorded pronunciations of their names through Tassel software by April 21.

For the Audience

• Faculty ushers can be identified by their gold caps.
• Alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted in Goodman Stadium.
• Access to the stadium field is not permitted during the ceremony.
• Students and guests are kindly asked to stay in their seats until all degrees have been conferred. 

About the Musicians
The Allentown Band is America’s oldest civilian concert band, with its first documented performance on July 4, 1828. The group plays in the John Philip Sousa tradition — indeed, many early members played in his band. Ronald Demkee has been Conductor of the Allentown Band since 1977. This year marks their 42nd performance at Lehigh’s Commencement ceremony.

Printed Program Information
A printed commemorative Class of 2025 Commencement program will be mailed in the summer to students with degrees awarded. This program will be an official representation of those who received a degree from Lehigh University. The program will include honors and names with degrees awarded in Summer 2024, Winter 2025, and Spring 2025.

If a student plans to walk in the Class of 2025 ceremony and their degree will be awarded in Summer 2025, Winter 2026, or Spring 2026, they will be printed in the Class of 2026 program, which will be mailed over the summer of 2026. 
 

A digital version of the Class of 2025 Commencement printed program will be available on the Commencement homepage this summer.