Lehigh Carbon Community College held its 58th annual Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 21, at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown.
Commencement recognized the more than 900 students who have earned associate degrees, certificates or diplomas from December 2024, May 2025 and anticipated for August 2025.
LCCC president Dr. Ann D. Bieber presided over the ceremonies. Secretary of the LCCC Board of Trustees Sharon L. Albert offered the welcome.
Leslie Tineo Lopez was selected as this year’s student speaker. Lopez earned her Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Management and plans to continue her studies in organizational leadership. She says she came to LCCC because she wanted more for her future and was ready to work for it. She hopes to eventually be in a position to help others grow.
Ella Duke was selected as this year’s soloist, performing both the National Anthem and the college’s Alma Mater. Duke graduated summa cum laude with her Associate in Arts degree in General Studies. She will transfer to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall to major in law and criminal justice.
The Students of the Year, selected annually by the LCCC Faculty Association, were announced during the ceremony. Shenandoah DeNardo was selected as the Student of the Year. DeNardo graduated magna cum laude with her Associate in Arts degree in General Studies and served as vice president of the Student Government Association. She plans to transfer to Lehigh University, where she will major in architecture. The Early College Student of the Year is Meghan Duffy. Duffy earned her certificate in Cross-Institutional Studies and is a student in the SEED program (Success, Engagement, Education, Determination). Meghan has promoted concepts of inclusion and friendship during her time at LCCC and plans to transfer to Millersville University in the fall.
The following individuals received academic awards:
LCCC president Dr. Ann D. Bieber presided over the ceremonies. Secretary of the LCCC Board of Trustees Sharon L. Albert offered the welcome.
Leslie Tineo Lopez was selected as this year’s student speaker. Lopez earned her Associate in Applied Science degree in Business Management and plans to continue her studies in organizational leadership. She says she came to LCCC because she wanted more for her future and was ready to work for it. She hopes to eventually be in a position to help others grow.
Ella Duke was selected as this year’s soloist, performing both the National Anthem and the college’s Alma Mater. Duke graduated summa cum laude with her Associate in Arts degree in General Studies. She will transfer to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall to major in law and criminal justice.
The Students of the Year, selected annually by the LCCC Faculty Association, were announced during the ceremony. Shenandoah DeNardo was selected as the Student of the Year. DeNardo graduated magna cum laude with her Associate in Arts degree in General Studies and served as vice president of the Student Government Association. She plans to transfer to Lehigh University, where she will major in architecture. The Early College Student of the Year is Meghan Duffy. Duffy earned her certificate in Cross-Institutional Studies and is a student in the SEED program (Success, Engagement, Education, Determination). Meghan has promoted concepts of inclusion and friendship during her time at LCCC and plans to transfer to Millersville University in the fall.
The following individuals received academic awards:
- 2025 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team - Olivia Demeus, Healley Saltz
- 2025 Gold Scholar on Coca Cola’s Academic Team - Olivia Demeuse
- Student Government Association Commencement Speaker Award - Leslie Tineo Lopez
- Student Government Association Commencement Soloist Award - Ella Duke
- Climax Goulder Bealine Award - Kaitlyn Macauley
- Computer Science Faculty Recognition Awards - Zander Delong, Evan Braun
- Philip Fahy Memorial Award - Andria Ahrens
- Martin Byrer Mathematics Achievement Award - Noah Mills
- Rosemary Kradel Mathematics Achievement Award - Tommy Le
- Lehigh County Chapter of American Association of Medical Assistants Award - Ameiry Arroyo
- Lehigh County Medical Society Awards - David Sanchez, Maryim Battah
- Associate Degree in Nursing, Faculty Recognition Award - Taylor Batt
- Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) – LCCC Chapter Service Award - Brittany Haldeman
- Professor William L.F. and Mrs. Mary Joan Schmehl Political Science Organization Alumni Award - Richard Rakhmanine
- Distinction in Psychology Award - Kaitlin Solt
- Distinction in Science Award - Savannah Giannattasio
- Professor Elizabeth (Bette) Hummer Memorial Award - Vanessa Guevara
- Teacher Education Student Association Scholarship Award - Jamie Engle
- Country Doctor Veterinary Hospital Award - Hope Hausman
- Jennifer L. Snyder Memorial Veterinary Technician Scholarship - Amelia Perez, Caley Potts, Emily Widrig
* Indicates student graduated Cum Laude, earning a grade point average of 3.5 - 3.75.
** Indicates student graduated Magna Cum Laude, earning a grade point average of 3.75 - 3.95.
*** Indicates student graduated Summa Cum Laude, earning a grade point average of 3.95 - 4.0
Andreas: Mia Snyder*.
Ashland: Megan Leib.
Auburn: Thomas Pospisil.
Barnesville: Mason Job.
Brockton: Vincenzo Valentine.
Coaldale: Rory Berk, Patrick Boyle, Talon Cambria, Elizabeth Cox*, and Sophia Tenisci.
Frackville: Molly Danisavich*, and Jennifer Skinner.
Kelayres: Hailey Petrilla.
Mary D: Rebecca Kowalski**.
McAdoo: Sonia Hughes***, and Ravin McCaroll.
Minersville: Allison Mounts, and Gladys Viera*.
New Philadelphia: Shawnee Souders.
New Ringgold: Zander Delong***, Mason Gerber, Christopher Heim, Lilith Hicks, Matthew Long, Alyssa Parker, and Joshua Shelton*.
Orwigsburg: Tara Brown, Tyler Clark, Peyton Hashin, Allen Reynolds**, and Dakota Sheipe Sr.
Pine Grove: Walter Bursztynski Jr.**.
Port Carbon: Trisha Culbert*.
Pottsville: Wais Almakaleh, Sophia Bowers, Marleigh Cressley-Lipinski, Kylie Kavanaugh*, Crissa Noel, Kalea O'Boyle, Robert Omahaboy III**, Caley Potts, Tiffany Reilly*, Nicola Ward**, and David Wilson.
Saint Clair: Rachel Bausher, Francisco Ortiz, and Mario Ortiz.
Schuylkill Haven: Jamie Engle***.
Shenandoah: Hunter Link, and Mariely Parra De Jesus.
Tamaqua: Autumn Ackles, Donavin Albert, Sarah Allesch**, Melissa Bush, Jacob Carroll*, Naomi Cosme, Jacob Demarco, Tegan Devlin, Jennifer Florea, Haley Giuliano, Lauren Hill, Stormi Hornbeck, Nataly Kerestes*, Adam Linkhorst, Courtney Loar, Marni Long, Talia Markiewicz, Katherine McElroy, Marissa Miller, John Nakata V, Kyle Nothnagel, William Puckette, and Savannah Tuttle.
Tower City: Erin Ryan.
** Indicates student graduated Magna Cum Laude, earning a grade point average of 3.75 - 3.95.
*** Indicates student graduated Summa Cum Laude, earning a grade point average of 3.95 - 4.0
Andreas: Mia Snyder*.
Ashland: Megan Leib.
Auburn: Thomas Pospisil.
Barnesville: Mason Job.
Brockton: Vincenzo Valentine.
Coaldale: Rory Berk, Patrick Boyle, Talon Cambria, Elizabeth Cox*, and Sophia Tenisci.
Frackville: Molly Danisavich*, and Jennifer Skinner.
Kelayres: Hailey Petrilla.
Mary D: Rebecca Kowalski**.
McAdoo: Sonia Hughes***, and Ravin McCaroll.
Minersville: Allison Mounts, and Gladys Viera*.
New Philadelphia: Shawnee Souders.
New Ringgold: Zander Delong***, Mason Gerber, Christopher Heim, Lilith Hicks, Matthew Long, Alyssa Parker, and Joshua Shelton*.
Orwigsburg: Tara Brown, Tyler Clark, Peyton Hashin, Allen Reynolds**, and Dakota Sheipe Sr.
Pine Grove: Walter Bursztynski Jr.**.
Port Carbon: Trisha Culbert*.
Pottsville: Wais Almakaleh, Sophia Bowers, Marleigh Cressley-Lipinski, Kylie Kavanaugh*, Crissa Noel, Kalea O'Boyle, Robert Omahaboy III**, Caley Potts, Tiffany Reilly*, Nicola Ward**, and David Wilson.
Saint Clair: Rachel Bausher, Francisco Ortiz, and Mario Ortiz.
Schuylkill Haven: Jamie Engle***.
Shenandoah: Hunter Link, and Mariely Parra De Jesus.
Tamaqua: Autumn Ackles, Donavin Albert, Sarah Allesch**, Melissa Bush, Jacob Carroll*, Naomi Cosme, Jacob Demarco, Tegan Devlin, Jennifer Florea, Haley Giuliano, Lauren Hill, Stormi Hornbeck, Nataly Kerestes*, Adam Linkhorst, Courtney Loar, Marni Long, Talia Markiewicz, Katherine McElroy, Marissa Miller, John Nakata V, Kyle Nothnagel, William Puckette, and Savannah Tuttle.
Tower City: Erin Ryan.