Lycoming College Summer Magazine 2013

Deirdre Connelly ’83 is presented her

honorary degree by President Douthat.

Frank Girardi introduces honorary degree

recipient, Dallas Krapf ’69.

Michael Kane ’13 delivers the senior

greeting.

The Class of 2013 enters the Quad through

the Oliver Sterling Metzler Gate.

Many choir students and alumni joined

together for Fred Thayer’s final concert.

Douthat, who gave the keynote address, spoke of the

impact of Lycoming’s graduates. He highlighted several

prominent alumni, including Deirdre Connelly ’83,

president of North American Pharmaceuticals of

GlaxoSmithKline; Gene Dodaro ’73, comptroller

general of the U.S.; Dallas Krapf ’69, co-owner of

Krapf Bus Companies; U.S. Rep. Tom Marino ’85, the

college’s 14th member of the U.S. Congress; David

Schoch ’73, president of Ford Asia; and Michael

Warehime ’64, chairman of Snyder’s-Lance Co.

“No one knows what your futures may bring,”

Douthat said to the Class of 2013. “Yet, one thing I

can say with confidence is that the future presidents

of Lycoming College will always have thousands of

success stories to illustrate how the lives of our alumni

have been guided toward their personal and professional

successes by their well-trained, well-educated and open

minds.

“Continue to train your mind and your heart so you

will be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities

that come your way and opportunities you have created

for yourself.”

Michael Kane ’13 of Montoursville, Pa., an economics

major, spoke on behalf of the senior class. He used

balloons as a metaphor for the students to fill their lives

with passion and love for whatever they do in the future.

“If all of us are filled with the right stuff and all of

us come alive, we can make an impact,” he told the

graduates, before releasing 282 colorful balloons into the

sky. “Together, we can touch the world.”

During the ceremony, Lycoming conferred three

honorary degrees: Connelly received a Doctor of Science;

Douthat, a Doctor of Humane Letters; and Krapf, a

Doctor of Laws.

On Saturday evening, Clarke Chapel was the site for

Thayer’s final Graduation Concert. At the end of the

performance, more than 75 alumni joined the choir on

stage to honor one of their most beloved professors and

reminisce about their Lycoming experiences.

The day’s activities began with the baccalaureate

service, featuring an address by the Rev. Beth

Jones ’95, superintendent of the Williamsport District

of the Susquehanna Conference of the United

Methodist Church.