News & Notes
Congrats, Grads!
Moravian University celebrated its 284th Commencement on Saturday, May 9, in the Timothy M. Breidegam Field House.
The Class of 2026 includes 515 undergraduate students, 273 students who earned master’s degrees, and 70 who earned doctoral degrees. Roberta Hoey, president of the Unity Board of the Worldwide Moravian Church, delivered this year’s commencement address and was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Commencement weekend kicked off with Intercultural Graduation on Friday, May 8, at Foy Hall.
There were 43 participants this year, including a set of triplets. It was the largest participating class in the event’s 11-year history.
Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
Moravian University Appoints Inaugural Aviation Advisory Committee
As Moravian prepares to launch new programs in aviation management and pilot training this fall, the university appointed a group of industry professionals, safety experts, and distinguished alumni to provide strategic oversight of the new classes.
The new Aviation Advisory Committee will help guide the university on decisions about curriculum, training, and programs that meet the demands of the modern aerospace industry. The committee brings together alumni and executive leadership from the world’s largest airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and regional infrastructure authorities to guide Moravian’s mission of addressing the critical global pilot and aviation management shortage.
Committee members include:
Chris Broom, vice president of commercial training solutions at Boeing
Kathryn Creedy ’73, a veteran aviation journalist and president of the National Coalition of Aviation and Space Education
Mark S. Cronin, retired American Airlines captain and founder of the Velocity R Aviation Foundation
Doug Demko, chief operating officer at Shift4
Evita Garces, vice president of maintenance at American Airlines
Michael Palazzolo, PSA captain and check airman, accident investigation specialist, ALPA accident investigator, and aviation safety expert
Vasu Raja, cofounder and CEO of Dihedral and former chief commercial officer at American Airlines
Pam Rea ’90, United Airlines captain
Colin Riccoban, director of public and government relations for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
Tom Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority
Adam Winkler, standards and training captain at Merck Sharp & Dohme
Two Moravian University Grads Awarded Fulbright Scholarships
Liz Kameen ’26 and Sean Riedy ’26 will each travel to Europe as part of the prestigious Fulbright program.
They are participating in the Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, in which they will teach young students English for an academic year. Kameen is heading to Pezinok in Slovakia, and Riedy is going to the state of Saxony in Germany. They will be abroad from September 2026 through June 2027.
Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
Laurie Riley ’82 Center for Career Success Receives National Excellence Award
In the spring, the center was named the recipient of the Career Readiness Excellence Award by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). This prestigious award recognizes innovative best practices in career services that intentionally integrate career readiness competencies into work with students and alumni, strengthening preparation for internships and post-graduate careers. Only one award is granted each year.
Moravian Celebrates 2026 Shining Lights Alumni Awards
On April 10, Moravian University celebrated Shining Lights, the annual Alumni and Community Awards. The evening brought together alumni, students, and community partners for a cocktail hour, dinner, awards ceremony, and celebration honoring those whose work lights the way for others. Read more at moravian.edu/alumni/events/shining-lights.
Photo by John Kish IV
Photo by Nick Chismar ’20
Czech Ambassador Pays Visit to Campus
Leaders from Moravian University welcomed Miloslav Stašek, ambassador of the Czech Republic, to the United States for a historic visit on May 5. The visit served to strengthen the cultural and historic ties between the Czech Republic and the Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem, which is part of a transnational UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stašek was joined by representatives from the City of Bethlehem, Moravian Church Settlements–Bethlehem, Central Moravian Church, Historic Bethlehem Museum and Sites, and Northampton County.
During the visit, the ambassador toured Bethlehem’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Moravian University’s campus, and the Moravian Archives. Read more about his visit on Moravian University’s news site.
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