The Chieftain was awarded to Soumayyah Gaujee ’26, a biochemistry major and French minor from Mauritius. “I would like to dedicate this award to every Lycoming student because in my opinion each and every Lycoming student embodies what it means to be a Chieftain. We all lead with our heart, our soul, and our mind… we stand for each other, we strive to make a difference, and I think that’s the beauty of every Lycoming student,” she said. A Dean’s List scholar and researcher, Gaujee was a member of Phi Sigma Iota and IRUSKA and served as a chemistry and biochemistry research fellow, Chemistry Club vice president, and lead resident assistant. She contributed to the Multicultural Awareness Group, was president of Habitat for Humanity, and supported her classmates as a tutor and teaching assistant. She will attend the University of Maryland for the doctoral program in environmental molecular science and technology with a focus on marine biology. “I am truly thrilled to share in this day with you. It is a first for both of us, but a far more momentous day for each one of you – and all those who have come to celebrate with you – as we commemorate one of the most significant achievements of your life,” said Chip Edmonds, Ed.D. ’98, presiding over his inaugural commencement ceremony as president of Lycoming. “What you have done and learned here is what the world needs of you. As you graduate and embark on your next chapter, go with the confidence, humility, and passion to be the best version of yourself because of the extraordinary moments that have defined your time here.” Lycoming alumnus Lynn Kramer, M.D. ’72, was invited to give the keynote address. Kramer is a distinguished executive leader, clinical neurologist, and pioneer in pharmaceutical research whose career has advanced innovative treatments for neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s. As chief clinical officer, Deep Human Biology Learning, and a member of the executive committee at Eisai Co., Ltd., he oversees the product creation cycle, including clinical introduction and regulatory approval of innovative projects for all Eisai products. A former Lycoming trustee, he is the recipient of numerous professional honors, and the College bestowed upon him an honorary Doctor of Science degree during the ceremony. Kramer remarked, “You were privileged to grow as a person here at Lycoming. Don’t waste what you learned... Take risks to make achievements, be audacious in pushing yourself...[and] try to understand what makes you special and stay true to it.” Anna Glantz ’26, a music major with certifications in music and special education, delivered the senior greeting. “I hope you continue to show up for the Lycoming community the way it has shown up for you. Support the future generations of your teams and organizations, attend Alumni & Reunion and Homecoming Weekends for many years to come, and remember that Lycoming is always going to be your home,” she said. Glantz was deeply involved in campus life, serving as fouryear class president, holding leadership roles in Alpha Xi Delta, choir, and band, and competing in women’s lacrosse. She excelled academically, earning Dean’s List honors all four years, serving as a Haberberger Research Fellow and WISE Intern, and joining several honor societies. Recognized with numerous awards, she will attend Berklee College of Music for a master’s degree in music education focusing on autism studies while beginning her teaching career. As Conner Penz ’26 crossed the stage to receive his diploma, the leather gloves and sword at his hip revealed him as the student behind the mascot, Lycos. “My favorite thing about being the mascot was the people I got to interact with. I was talking to people, high fiving them, just being silly with so many more people than my normal friend group, so Lycos really allowed me to get into the campus community,” he said. Penz came to Lycoming as an astronomy major, later adding a second major in archaeology and a minor in chemistry, and with guidance from faculty, he landed a prestigious Koobi Fora Field School internship in Kenya. For six weeks, he reconstructed ancient river systems and studied how the world’s earliest stone-tool makers chose their landscapes. He will continue his studies in a master’s program at the University of York, England, this fall. 15 www.lycoming.edu
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