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Over 1,000 students will become Millersville University alumni when they cross the stage on May 10. They will be welcomed into the community by three alumni who will serve as graduation speakers: Dr. Melvin Allen ’69, will address the crowd at the 9 a.m. ceremony for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as well as the Lombardo College of Business; Dr. Kemah Washington ’03, will speak at the 1 p.m. ceremony for the College of Education and Human Services; and Deborah Willwerth ’88, will speak to students at the 5 p.m. ceremony for the College of Science and Technology. All three ceremonies will be held in the Pucillo Gymnasium.
Allen is a former associate professor of philosophy at MU, faculty emeritus, founder of Millersville’s Black Student Union, executive director emeritus of the Civic and Community Engagement and Research Project, and an attorney. He’s also the cofounder and retired president of the Project Forward Leap, an organization that focuses on closing the gaps of academic achievement and developmental opportunities between disadvantaged children and their advantaged peers. He holds a juris doctorate from the Dickinson School of Law (now Penn State Dickinson Law), a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Delaware and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Millersville.
Washington is the founder and president of BRANDilly Creative Group, a full-service creative agency offering marketing, graphic design and website design services. Washington and his family helped establish a new high school at the Baptist School Complex and Orphanage in Trotor, Ghana. He is active in the University community and serves as the president of the Millersville University Foundation. While a student at Millersville, Washington was in the University Honors College, served as a peer mentor and was a member of the Lambda Tau Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Millersville in 2003 and went on to earn a master’s degree in higher education and a doctorate degree in education from North Carolina State University.
Willwerth, the current president of UPMC Lititz, has over 40 years of medical experience and began her career as a nurse at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital in Lancaster. In her career, she worked as the chief nursing officer at Community Hospital of Lancaster, was the COO for two hospitals and was the administrator of the Heart of Lancaster, now UPMC Lititz. A graduate of Penn Manor High School and a Lancaster native, Willwerth earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Millersville and holds a master’s degree in nursing from Widener University.
Each graduate will receive four guest tickets, which are available for pickup at the Ticket Office. Guests must have a ticket to attend the in-person ceremony. Doors will open one hour before each ceremony, and those unable to attend the ceremony can view them via the livestream on May 10 at millersville.edu/commencement.
