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*
Reverend Lloyd H. Steffen, University Chaplain

National Anthem*
Led by Mitchell J. Hendricks ’23G

Welcome
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President

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

Graduate Student Remarks
Caroline Ann (Ladegard) Ferguson ’23G

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

Commencement Address
Amy Weaver ’23P, President and Chief Financial Officer at Salesforce

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

Remarks
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President

The Benediction*
Reverend Lloyd H. Steffen, University Chaplain

Alma Mater*
Led by Mitchell J. Hendricks ’23G

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

*Please stand

**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 MarchingOrder software by April 25.

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 & Associate Chaplain

National Anthem*
Led by Michael Thomas Fitzgerald ’23

Welcome
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President

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

Undergraduate Student Remarks
Bonor M. Ayambem ’23

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

Commencement Address
CJ McCollum ’13, Point Guard for the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, Entrepreneur, and Philanthropist

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

Remarks
Joseph J. Helble ’82, President 

Ringing of the Bell
Celeste Varricchio ’73 and Ana Victoria Smith ’23

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

Alma Mater*
Led by Madison Taylor Kershner '23

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

*Please stand

**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 MarchingOrder software by April 25.

For the Audience

• Members of the audience are requested to stand as they are able as the academic procession enters and leaves Goodman Stadium. 
• Faculty ushers can be identified by their gold caps.
• Alcoholic beverages and smoking are not permitted in Goodman Stadium. 
• Access onto 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 40th performance at Lehigh’s commencement ceremony.

Printed Program Information
A printed commemorative Class of 2023 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 2022, Winter 2023, and Spring 2023.

If a student plans to walk in the Class of 2023 ceremony and their degree will be awarded in Summer 2023, Winter 2024, or Spring 2024, they will be printed in the Class of 2024 program, which will be mailed over the summer of 2024. 

A digital version of the Class of 2023 Commencement printed program can be found here.