Cedar Crest College Announces Former U.S. Congresswoman as 2026 Commencement Speaker
Allentown, PA (04/07/2026) — Cedar Crest College is proud to announce Susan Wild, former U.S. Congresswoman (2018-2025), as keynote speaker for this year's 156th Commencement Ceremony. Representing Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, Susan built a reputation as a practical and effective leader who handled complex challenges while staying focused on the people she served.
The 156th Commencement Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the PPL Center, located at 701 Hamilton St., Allentown. The event serves as both a celebration of student achievement and the culmination of a week of related activities, including Espejo: Reflections of Our Community on Thursday and the College's Awards and Graduate Hooding Ceremonies held on Friday.
Tickets to attend the commencement ceremony are required. Those who are unable to attend can watch a live stream of the ceremony on Cedar Crest's YouTube page. For more information about commencement, please visit www.cedarcrest.edu/commencement.
About the Speaker
During her entire tenure in Congress, Susan was a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, where she successfully passed bipartisan legislation aimed at improving access to health care, including mental health care, as well as educational opportunities. She led legislation to make student loan applications more transparent, and to allow such loans to be renegotiated at lower interest rates. She is well-known for her work to improve the availability of mental health care services on college campuses. Susan has always been committed to solving the hunger crisis - at all levels of schooling from kindergarten through college years.
Before her time in Congress, Susan had a long and distinguished legal career, where she honed her skills in negotiation, problem-solving, and advocacy-skills that later became essential in her political leadership. Her ability to see the bigger picture while managing the details of governance made her an effective legislator and a trusted advisor to colleagues and community leaders alike.
Above all, Susan remains driven by her passion to support younger generations. Whether mentoring emerging leaders, or fostering connections that lead to success, she continues to be a force for positive change-dedicated to empowering others and making an impact that lasts.
About Cedar Crest College
Cedar Crest College has been empowering women to smash glass ceilings and achieve their educational goals since 1867. Today, the College continues to open the doors to opportunities for its diverse student body, both in the undergraduate women's college and in the co-ed School of Adult and Graduate Education. Located in Allentown, Pa., Cedar Crest is ranked by U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 Best College Rankings as #16 in Social Mobility and is among the top 100 colleges and universities in the region.
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